Shape Match

Build a shape match for an easy DIY activity.

This is what we call a cheap and easy, fast to prep toddler activity. It doesn’t get much better or classier than a homemade shape matching mat, am I right? My toddler was itching for a late afternoon project one day and I was itching to get dinner made. We came to a compromise: shape match.

Shape match was a great little math activity for my toddler that gave new life to an already beloved toy. I love when I can find new ways to use an old toy.

Materials:
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Construction paper
Sharpie Markers
Shapes (we used our Melissa and Doug Shape Sorting Cube )

I grabbed a piece of construction paper and traced the shapes quickly and probably could have done a much better job than I actually did. I’ll give myself a 2.5 and say I’m “approaching” block tracing standard. That’s a little teacher humor for my education friends. Here’s my tip for you: trace in pencil then in sharpie. Learn from me. We have a nice little parting gift from this activity on a few of our blocks. Oh well, there are worse things…

For as simple and small as this project is, it was fantastic for my toddler. He’s having a great time playing “shape match” and I’m having a great time watching him manipulate the shapes and match the faces of the 3D blocks to the 2D shapes I drew (now doesn’t that suddenly make this little activity sound super fancy?!).

After he whipped through two rounds of this, we folded up the paper and put it back in the shape back. He’s done it several times since and it’s been a great quick, quiet activity for us.

Shape match has been a perfect homemade activity for us – I love when we can make a project using only items we have at home!