Tracing and shape recognition are essential skills for young children to learn. Not only does shape recognition help prepare them for future learning, but tracing worksheets develop fine motor and pre-writing skills.
Shapes are everywhere, and once kids understand the properties of each shape, they can start to identify them in everyday objects. These observational skills are essential as they learn to read, write, and work with numbers.
Benefits of Shape Tracing Worksheets
- Focus and concentration
- Fine motor skills development
- Improved pencil grip
- Learn shape names
- Shape recognition
- Makes learning easier
- It helps children recognize the curves and lines associated with letter formation
Related: Number Tracing Worksheets
10 Shape Tracing Printable Options for Preschoolers
Kids learn best through repetition and play, so combining tracing worksheets with interactive activities will make learning multi-faceted.
Get the most out of your tracing worksheets by assigning colors to the different sizes or asking your kids to count the shapes and write the number inside as they go.
1. Trace the Circle
Circle Learning Activity
After completing the tracing worksheet, why not go on a circle scavenger hunt?
Let your kids search around the house or classroom for circular objects. Interactive games are a great way to make learning come alive and complement your shape-tracing worksheets.
Using their powers of observation will also reinforce what they have learned about circles. A scavenger hunt is also a great way to introduce shape comparison, particularly if students bring an oval object rather than a circular one.
2. Trace the Square
Square Learning Activity
Squares can be tricky for preschoolers because they require more fine motor control but also a basic idea that each line should be the same length.
Once your kids have worked through the square tracing worksheet, let them dive into a square-inspired sensory bin.
Kids love exploring different textures and materials, and having a bin filled with other square objects will help solidify the concepts they practiced with the printable.
Fill your sensory bin with colored rice, wooden blocks, square buttons, dice, pieces of lego, and pieces of foam cut into squares.
3. Trace the Triangle
Triangle Learning Activity
Cut a triangle shape into a halved potato and make potato stamps. Not only will your kids be able to practice using triangles in a design, but they will also get to be creative.
Download our free printable and let your kids hone their triangle tracing skills before enjoying some stamping fun.
4. Trace the Oval
Oval Learning Activity
Ovals are easy to confuse with circles which is why fun learning activities work well alongside shape tracing worksheets.
Cut out ovals of different sizes from colored paper. Then let your kids create flowers with ovals as the petals. They can combine colors and sizes to create their oval flower garden.
5. Trace the Diamond
Diamond Learning Activity
After drawing the diamond shapes on the worksheet, use diamond cutouts to create a fabulous crown.
Cut out diamond shapes of different sizes and let your kids decorate them with glitter and sequins. While they are busy, cut out a crown-like design from a large piece of card. Secure the ends with glue or tape. Then let your children decorate their crowns with their sparkly diamonds.
6. Trace the Rectangle
Rectangle Learning Activity
Help your kids create a rectangle robot. Cut out rectangles of various colors and sizes. Then let your kids make a robot from the different rectangle options.
Not only will students have a chance to familiarize themselves with rectangles, but they will also get to create their own unique robots.
7. Trace the Heart
Heart Learning Activity
Go outside and make heart-shaped bird feeders.
All you need is some birdseed, a heart-shaped silicone mold, twine, and peanut butter. Mix the birdseed with peanut butter and press it into the molds, remembering to add the string. Once it has hardened, unmold and hang them outside for the birds.
8. Trace the Star
Star Learning Activity
Stars can be difficult for students to master, and by tracing the shape, they get to practice and learn. Make a star suncatcher using a star template, contact, and tissue paper for extra practice.
Cut out the middle of the star ad cover it with contact. Tear up pieces of tissue paper and stick them on before covering them with another layer of contact. Cut out your star and hang it in the window.
9. Trace the Pentagon
Pentagon Learning Activity
Create a birdhouse picture to go with your bird feeders. Use the pentagon shape as your birdhouse and let your kids decorate it with feathers and sticks.
10. Trace the Shapes
Download All Shapes Tracing Worksheets
Shapes Learning Activity
Once your kids have had a chance to hone their fine motor skills by tracing all the shapes, get them outside for a game of hopscotch. Using sidewalk chalk, use the different shapes to draw the hopscotch spaces.
This is a fun and energetic way to take shape learning outside.
Tracing Shapes and Creative Learning
Shape tracing worksheets are educational, but they become a powerful learning tool when paired with a fun activity.
It’s incredible to think that learning about shapes can help our kids with reading, writing, and math.
So, download our free printable worksheets and try some engaging activities with your kids.
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