Learning Shapes with Paper Plates!

Children are naturally curious! They love to learn and love to play.  They love to learn through play.

When choosing toys and activities, I love activities that do "double duty"... address some skills like hand strength, bilateral coordination, visual tracking... as well as learning a cognitive skill such as "shapes".  

Here are 8 fun ideas to introduce to your children to learn about shapes! I've used a paper plate but feel free to use cardboard if you can't access a paper plate. 

1. Make Shape Stencils.
Cut out shapes in your paper plate that can be used as stencils.  

2. Pom Pom Maze
Cut small shapes in your paper plate.  Place a pom pom on the plate and use both hands to move it around the plate to find a specific shape or series of shapes. 

3. Threading Shapes
Use a hole punch to make holes to represent the corners or in the case of a circle, multiple holes to create the circle. Use a ribbon or yarn to have your child thread. 

4. Stain Glass Shapes
Cut out shapes on the paper plates and cover with cellophane.  Kids love to look through the stain glass. 

5. Fold the flap shapes
Draw shapes around the edge of the plate. Cut between the shapes.  Ask your child to find the shapes and fold down the appropriate flap. 

6. I Spy Shapes
Draw or stick on some shapes onto a plate.  Ask your child to find  a specific shape on the plate or in a certain colour.  

 

---

7. Shape Roads
This has been a popular  FREE subscriber email printable.  If you don't have this printable, use this link HERE .
Print and cut out the shape.  Stick them onto the plate and then have your child use their cars to "drive" on the shapes. 

 8. Peg shape match. 
Use self adhesive foam shapes... place a shape on each peg (clothespin) of the same colour and a matching shape on the paper plate.  Have your child find the matching shapes by placing the pegs. 

Do you have a favourite way to learn shapes?  
​
Watch these paper plate shape ideas on You tube ---> ​https://youtu.be/5kPU-PSjA9Q

More paper plate ideas?  Find some Paper Plate Road trip games here! 

Paper plates are so easy to transport and are a great size for little hands. Which idea will your child enjoy? ​

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/yourkidsot
YKOT shop:  https://www.yourkidsot.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Your-Kids-Ot
You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZUz_5nYEOCkj32DiOCQo4Q/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourkidsot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourkidsot/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourkidsot/
​

---