Shapes are one of the first geometry topics in kindergarten and grade 1. In the US Common Core, kindergartners learn to identify shapes as flat or solid (K.G.A.3), and first graders describe what makes a shape that shape (1.G.A.1) and put shapes together to make new ones (1.G.A.2). Here is everything you need, plus the free 2D and 3D shapes sort worksheet.
What is the difference between 2D and 3D shapes?
2D (two-dimensional) shapes are flat. You can draw them on paper but you cannot pick them up: circle, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon. 3D (three-dimensional) shapes are solid. They take up space, so you can hold them: sphere (ball), cube (dice), cone (ice-cream cone), cylinder (can), rectangular prism (box), pyramid.
A quick test for kids: “Can it roll, stack or hold something?” If yes, it is 3D.
3D shapes chart: faces, edges and vertices
| Shape | Faces | Edges | Vertices | Real-life example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cube | 6 | 12 | 8 | Dice, ice cube |
| Rectangular prism | 6 | 12 | 8 | Cereal box |
| Square pyramid | 5 | 8 | 5 | Pyramids of Giza |
| Triangular prism | 5 | 9 | 6 | Tent, chocolate bar box |
| Cylinder | 2 flat + 1 curved | 2 (curved) | 0 | Can, drum |
| Cone | 1 flat + 1 curved | 1 (curved) | 1 (apex) | Ice-cream cone, party hat |
| Sphere | 1 curved | 0 | 0 | Ball, orange |
A face is a surface, an edge is where two faces meet, and a vertex (plural vertices) is a corner where edges meet.
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5 hands-on shape activities
- Shape hunt: find 3D shapes around the house (cans, boxes, balls) and sort them into “rolls”, “stacks” and “both”.
- Print the faces: dip a block in paint and stamp it; the flat faces of a 3D shape make 2D shapes.
- Build with straws and playdough: make a cube skeleton and count edges (straws) and vertices (playdough balls).
- Feely bag: describe a hidden shape by touch only.
- Worksheet practice: 2D and 3D shapes sort (grade 1), shape attributes: sides and angles (grade 2), count the shapes, colour by shape and cut and glue shapes.
Picture books about shapes
Stories make shape names stick. Read these free in Pagine: Cube Cat, Cone Cat (3D shapes as characters), The Happy Yellow Circle, The Wooden Triangle, Circle the Lion and The One Square. Pause on each page and ask: “Which shapes can you spot?”
Shapes by grade
- Pre-K: name circle, square, triangle; trace and colour (Pre-K worksheets).
- Kindergarten: flat vs solid; describe positions (above, beside).
- Grade 1: defining attributes (a triangle always has 3 sides and 3 corners, whatever its colour or size); combine shapes.
- Grade 2: count sides and angles; recognise pentagons, hexagons and cubes.
Print the free 2D and 3D shapes worksheet, then read a shapes picture book together.