Learning shapes not only helps children identify and organise visual information; it helps them learn skills including reading, mathematics and science. From stop signs to doors, triangular roofs and circular wheels, shapes also help children understand and learn signs and symbols. We’ve compiled a range of simple crafts for kids to make ‘shapes’ fun. Most will suit pre-schoolers to kindy and first grade, and older children will easily adapt to more sophisticated creations as their education progresses. Best of all, it’s all great fun!

Paper Plate Starfish

Learn about the star shape and ocean wonders at the same time!

YOU'LL NEED:

• Paper Plates
• Tempera or poster paint – your choice of colours for body and dots
• Paint brush
• Pencil
• Scissors

HERE'S HOW:

1. Arm position. On the paper plate, mark the position of the starfish arms by drawing lines starting from the centre and running out towards the plate edge. Most starfishes typically have five arms, but some species have more, so you can let your child choose.
2. Draw the starfish. Using the lines previously marked, draw the full outline of the starfish.
3. Cut out the starfish.
4. Paint the starfish. Paint both sides of the paper plate starfish. Some starfishes come in bright hues of red and orange while some are coloured bright blue or purple.
5. Pain dots. Starfish have dots, spikes and other patterns on their bodies. Position your starfish upright before painting on the dots – the plate’s bottom should be facing up.
6. Dots can be made using a cotton bud, fingers or the wooden tip of the paint brush.
7. Patience… let the paint dry!

Line Pictures

Make use of paper, foam or felt scraps from previous craft projects if you wish.  

YOU'LL NEED:

• Paper, foam or felt scraps in various colours
• Scissors
• Glue (optional)
• Construction paper (optional)

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HERE'S HOW:

1. Make line cut-outs. Cut out different kinds of lines from your scraps – straight lines, arcs, zigzags, curved and wavy lines – a make them in a variety of sizes and colours.
2. Form basic shapes. It’s a learning experience for your children to start creating basic shapes with the straight lines – triangles, squares, rectangles, stars and other polygons.
3. Similarly, show them connecting arcs or curved lines will form circles or ovals. While a rainbow is not a shape, it’s fun to create one by stacking together arcs of increasing size.
4. Create objects. Combine lines to create more shapes and objects. Start with easily recognisable ones such as the sun, a house or heart.
5. Gradually… create more complex objects and images – you will all be amazed at what you can make out of lines!

Bear Circles

Every child’s favourite pal Learn about circles, sizes, and body parts with this easy bear craft.

YOU'LL NEED:

• Coloured paper, craft foam, or felt
• Compass or any object to make a circle
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue
• Black marker or crayon
• Buttons or wiggle eyes (optional)

HERE'S HOW:​
Cut out circles. Draw and cut out various-sized circles from paper, craft foam or felt (or a combination) to make the bear’s head. Here are some colour suggestions, but feel free to choose your own.

• 1 large brown circle for the head
• 2 medium brown circles for the ears
• 1 medium white circle for the muzzle
• 2 small white circles for the inner ears
• 1 small black circle for the nose
•  2 tiny black circles for the eyes

1. Assemble the ears. Glue the inner ears on top of the main ears.
2. Glue ears to the head – behind the biggest circle.
3. Glue the nose and muzzle. Glue the medium-size white circle at the bottom of the face to create the muzzle. Glue the black nose on the upper section of the muzzle.
4. Glue the eyes. Glue the pair of tiny black circles above the muzzle to create the bear’s eyes.
5. Draw the mouth. Use a black marker or crayon and give him or her a beary-best name!
6. Here are a few more beary-fun ideas… a panda, a body for the bear or a frame for all the bears. This adds another element of understanding squares and rectangles.