Preschool Toddler
MathFile Folder GamesPrintables
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If you’re teaching your toddler or preschooler about shapes, chances are that you’ve found tons of activities out there between Google searches and Pinterest to help you do so.
Some are, of course, more fun than others, but there are a ton our there nonetheless.
When we’re looking for shape activities though, we’re looking for ones that you don’t see every day, ones that require those little minds to think just a little bit harder.
These types of activities are not only more fun for my crew but they tend to stick with them a bit more, helping them retain more of what they’ve learned.
This fruit bowl shape matching file folder game is the perfect example because while it is a context that a preschooler would know (various types of fruit), seeing a square watermelon and an apple shaped like a trapezoid trips them up enough to really get them to stop and think.
They’ll work on shapes that include: circle, square, triangle, rhombus, oval, rectangle, trapezoid, hexagon, octagon, and pentagon all while working on matching, colors, and fine motor skills!
Assembling the Fruit Shape Matching Game
Like all of our other file folder games, you’ll start by gathering up the supplies that you’ll need to make this game yourself.
You’ll need:
- A manila file folder
- Scissors
- Clear contact paper
- Laminator (optional, but highly recommended)
- Velcro dots
- The fruit bowl shape matching printable (below)
To begin, cut out the pieces for the fruit bowl and each of the shapes as well.
Use some clear contact paper to attach the cover of your game to the front of your folder. If you’re having trouble getting the cover to stay in place, use a little bit of double-sided tape on the back to stick it onto the front of your folder while you lay the contact paper over top.
Then, use some more contact paper to attach the pieces of the bowl to the inside of your folder.
To ensure that you can still properly close your folder once your game has been made, bring the two pieces of the bowl right up to the fold in your folder without actually covering it. Then, simply lay your contact paper over the top of those pieces to hold it in place, again, without covering the fold.
Once your bowl is in place, continue using your contact paper to attach each of the black and white shapes. You may want to lay these out prior to find the best fit.
Next, run your fruit shapes through your laminator as this will add some durability when they’re used over and over again by little hands.
Finally, add one side of your Velcro dots to the middle of each black and white shape and stick the opposite Velcro dots to the back of each fruit piece.
Using the Fruit Shape Matching Game
When your game is ready, talk with your child about the various different types of fruit and see if they can name the ones that are included within the game.
Once they’ve named all of the included fruits, have them identify the shape and see if they can match it to its place within the fruit bowl.
You can extend the learning by having them name the colors that they see as well as having them count the pieces of fruit that are in the bowl.
