Why are shapes important? Shapes are not only important in learning about geometry in math, but in learning about designing art with shapes. Having fun with shapes activities for preschoolers helps kids recognize the shapes in the world around them. When kids are able to recognize shapes in the world they are able to recognize shapes in art. Shape is one of the main elements of art. Exploring shapes and how they can be combined to create new pictures or designs can then lead to students planning their artworks. Besides hands on activities teaching shapes, I love to teach with music. You Tube has some great videos that teach the shapes. Here is a link to my favorite shapes songs. Planning gives purpose to everything from play to building, creating, writing a story, writing music.
Stamping with Shapes
This activity has evolved for me from using wooden block shapes to plastic shapes from the shape sorting boxes. The plastic blocks are easier to clean afterwards. You can also dip the solid side of the shape to stamp, or the open end. The solid side leaves a filled in shape and the open side leaves an outline of the shape. This is a process art project. Let the kids go at it! The only directions I give are to use the whole page.
Paper Shapes City Scapes
These pictures turn out so cute! Cut out or if your students are old enough have them cut out the shapes. I cut several squares and rectangles in different sizes, A large circle for the sun/moon, and triangles for the tops of buildings and a few other shapes for windows, doors etc. I like to show children pictures of city scapes so that they get the idea of what they are trying to create. Then then can use some planning skills to decide what colors, how tall each building should be, where to put their sun/moon. You can use white or light blue paper for a day scene and black or dark blue paper for a night scene.
Kandinsky Concentric Circles
These Concentric Circles can be done in so many different ways. I have seen them made with tempra paint, with water colors, and by tracing circles with colored markers and using a paintbrush with water to make the colors bleed. For preschoolers, I like cutting out the shapes in several different colors. I start with 4.5″ x 4″ squares. If we glue them onto a 12″ x 18″ piece of contruction paper, I cut 2 inches off the end to make it 12″ x 16″. I then cut out five different sizes of circles. This gives students some practice in size discrimination and organization. Students choose the colors for each square and the different sizes of circles. I encourage them to use different colors in each block. In the end, it is the students art. Encourage them to plan and see what colors they think look good together.
Build a ……….
You can adapt this fun with shapes activity to different seasons, themes, or studies. You can “Build a robot”, “Build a Monster” or even “Build a Crazy Car”. Cut several shapes out of brightly colored paper. Maybe even include some googly eyes, buttons, pieces of pipe cleaner, etc. Provide glue and a larger piece of paper to glue the pieces to. You can do this together as an art project, or invite small groups to work with you during the day. This can also be left in the art center for students during choice or free play time. Show students pictures of whatever theme you have chosen. Students need to think about and plan their work.
Overlapping Shapes Watercolor
This project can be adapted to the amount of prep time you want to put into it, and to the age of the students. You start by tracing shapes to fill an entire page. Older students could do a 12″ x 18″ page, Second and third graders might prefer a 9″ x 12″ and for preschoolers, we used a half sheet or 9″ x 6″. Have students trace their shapes in pencil and then trace with black marker, or if you have time, make some black glue by adding tempra paint to some elmers glue. You will probably need a day to fully dry or at least a good part of the day. After the lines have been traced in black (marker or dried glued), get out the watercolor paints. Have students use one color for each section. A good technic for this is to use the very tip of the brush to go next to the black lines and then fill in the middle. The black glue, makes it easier to stay in the lines. Encourage students to use different colors to create a stained glass effect in this shapes activity for preschoolers.
More Ideas with Shapes
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