Want to support and track your child’s shape knowledge? Get ready to sort, match, and label shapes with this FREE basic shape’s activity!

The contents of this activity, such as text, graphics, images, information, as well as other material and content contained in this activity are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development.

This activity features language and cognitive development concepts children learn throughout their early childhood years as a toddler, preschooler, and within their early elementary school years. Specific age milestone information can be found with a simple internet search!

I want to see what shapes my son is able to sort, match, and label so that I can best support him with his shape knowledge.

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First, let’s print and laminate (optional but recommended for multiple use) the shape’s background scenes (see below: scene #1 and scene #2). Be sure to print two of each shape background scene. Use one as the background scene and the other to cut out the shape cutouts in the center and along the border.

Also, print and laminate the shape cutouts for sorting.

Next, cut out the shape cutouts for sorting, matching, and labeling.

And place adhesive dots (soft side) on the back of the shape cutouts. Then, place adhesive dots (rough side) in the center of the shapes on the shape in the center and around the border on the background scene. Note: Adult Supervision is required. Use caution with the magnets, dot adhesives, and small pieces as they are not intended for use with children under the age of 3. Please use caution and supervise your child with the dot adhesives, magnets and small pieces when working on this activity. Only work on activities that you feel are safe for your child. Warning: Choking Hazard. Children under 3 should not participate in any activities that involve small pieces.

Is your child under 3? The Activity Garden includes a modified version of this activity available in bigger print for younger toddlers. Small pieces, magnets, and dot adhesives are not intended for use with the bigger print activities. Please remember that adult supervision is required with all activities shared on Simplicity Happens. Just a kind reminder to stay safe and have fun while learning with your little ones!

I placed adhesive dots (soft side) on the back of the shape cutouts.

I placed adhesive dots (rough side) on the shapes in the center and around the border on the background scenes (you’ll notice in the picture that I haven’t put any on the shapes around the border. I suggest cutting the adhesive dots into smaller pieces to place on the shapes around the border.

Now that this simple activity is set up, the PLAY can begin!

Sorting Shapes

First, my son sorts the shapes.

Sometimes he needs a little help from mom.

He figure it out! Then, he continues to sort more shapes…

Until all of the shapes have been sorted!

During the activity, I keep a record of his learning to support his knowledge during future play activities in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet:

I then take notes on this specific activity in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet:

Matching Shapes

Now it’s time for matching the individual shape cutouts to the shapes background scene. He starts to sort the shapes in the center.

After matching the shapes in the center, he can learn to match by both shape and color with the colorful shapes around the border.

I then take notes on this specific activity in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet:

Receptive Labeling

This activity can be used for receptively and expressively labeling shapes.

First, my son and I go through the pictures together. I want to determine his ability to identify the shapes when I name them. This demonstrates his ability to receptively label shapes.

First, we work on receptive labeling:

I then take notes on the “Basic Shapes: Receptive Labeling” tracking sheet in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet.

Expressive Labeling

Next, my son and I go through the shapes together. I want to determine his ability to identify shapes when I point to the shape and ask, “What shape is this?” This demonstrates his ability to expressively label shapes.

Now, we work on expressive labeling:

I then take notes on the “basic shapes: expressive labeling” tracking sheet in my “Activity Garden: Goal Tracking Sheets” booklet:

Once we are finished playing with the shapes, we store the them in a plastic zip baggie for future use.

What did you and your little ones enjoy about this activity? Let me know in the comments below!