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Shape Matching Activity FREE Printable

This shape matching activity for preschoolers and older children is a fun way to introduce shapes. It reinforces the concept of shapes by giving kids an opportunity to identify 2D shapes like circle, square, plus, and triangle. You can download it for FREE at the bottom of the post.

Shape Hole Punch or Clip Cards from Your Therapy Source

How Does the Shape Matching Activity Work?

Start with this activity by following these three steps.

  1. Sign up to download the freebie at the bottom of the post.
  2. Download and print or view the activity on your screen (use a app to mark up the screen like Kami).
  3. Find the matching shapes.

This type of hands on learning helps to practice visual scanning and fine motor skills. All important skills for reading, writing and more!

This freebie includes 4 different shapes to match – circle, square, plus sign and triangle.

Different Ways to Use the Shape Matching Game Printable

There are a few different ways that you can use this printable to encourage different skills. Here are some suggestions for how to match the shapes:

  • no printer – no problem: mark up the PDF on your screen or simply have the child point to the matching shapes
  • bingo chips
  • play dough – roll small balls of play dough in your fingers and place on the cards
This packet of Play Dough and Shape Tracing Activity Mats digital download includes 14 different shapes to practice creating and tracing!
  • clothes pins – glue the shape matching activity to cardboard and cut out the cards. Clip clothes pins to the cards on the matching shapes. Need more ideas like this? Check out the Seasonal Clothespin Matching Wheels.
  • hole punch – kids LOVE to use hole punches and they are great for strengthening the muscles in the hand
  • color in the matching shapes.
The Hand Strengthening Exercises PDF Bundle for Children includes 7 digital resources to help children strengthen their hands and fingers with super fun activities!

Why are Matching Shape Activities Important?

The Shape Matching Activity is important because it introduces many concepts to young children instead of just using a worksheet:

  • Math Dimensions: teaches kids about shape, size and space in the real world we use geometric shapes like circles and squares.
  • Sorting and Categorizing – this teaches children about shapes and colors and how to distinguish different attributes of objects.
  • Visual Discrimination skills – children will learn what characteristics identify each shape i.e. circles have round edges.

These types of activities are great for preschool and kindergarten fine motor stations that are cross curricular with math.

Hole Punch Palooza from https://www.yourtherapysource.com/holepunch.html

What Skills Does this Shape Matching Activity Develop?

When children complete this activity, they are working on the following skills:

  • fine motor skills – using the small muscles in the fingers and hands
  • visual discrimination – Visual discrimination is the ability to recognize details such as similarities and differences of objects or symbols including shapes and colors as well as size and orientation.
  • visual spatial – Visual spatial skills include visualize the positions of objects, their shapes, and their spatial relations to one another.
  • eye hand coordination – Eye hand coordination is the ability to interpret visual information and respond with a motor action such as a hole punch in the card.
  • hand strengthening
  • categorizing – sorting objects by shape, color, or size
  • learning about 2D shapes

When is a Good Time To Use this Matching Shape to Object Worksheet?

This shape matching activity is great for:

  • fine motor stations – toss in a small shoe box with the hole punch and it is all set!
  • math work centers – incorporate this activity during your shape and geometry lessons
  • Occupational Therapy session – great for hand strengthening and visual perceptual skill practice
  • at home activity – fun and engaging for kids to complete at home. THe kids can use any writing utensil to color in the matching shape.

Download Your FREE Shape Matching Activity Here

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Shape Hole Punch or Clip Cards from Your Therapy Source