Top 5 Manipulatives to Teach Kids about 2D Shapes

When it comes to geometry, a hands-on approach is the key to helping kids grasp these concepts. 2D shapes might seem basic to you, but they take time and practice to memorize. The best method for getting kids to know their shapes is through play. That’s why these five manipulatives might just make the perfect addition to your elementary school classroom. 

1. Open Ended Wooden Shape Puzzles

The LiKee Stacking Montessori Educational Toy includes a collection of 36 wooden blocks in various shapes and colors. It also comes with 60 double-sided pattern cards to guide children in creating specific designs. These cards range from simple to complex patterns, catering to different skill levels. The blocks have a storage bag to keep all the pieces organized and easy to transport.

The toy allows children to physically manipulate shapes, reinforcing their understanding of 2D geometric figures through tactile and visual learning. Beyond the pattern cards, children can use the shapes to create their own designs, encouraging creativity and imagination. The toy promotes self-directed activity, helping children learn at their own pace and explore geometric concepts independently.

2. Translucent Pattern Blocks

The Odoorgames Translucent Tangram Manipulatives Activity Set is an educational tool designed to help children understand geometric concepts. There are 140 translucent pattern blocks that come in various shapes and colors, including hexagons, trapezoids, triangles, and rhombuses, to create a variety of patterns and designs. You’ll get 46 couple-sided activity cards that offer a range of patterns for children to replicate using the blocks. These cards help guide the learning process and provide structured activities.

The translucent blocks allow children to see and handle the shapes, reinforcing their understanding through both visual and tactile experiences. Using the blocks to create patterns and solve puzzles makes learning about 2D shapes an active and engaging process. This set can be used on a light table, making learning about shapes and patterns visually stimulating and fun.

3. Pizza Counting Toddler Toys

The CHEFAN Pizza Counting Preschool Manipulatives set is the perfect combination of imaginative play time and learning shapes. It comes with a felt pizza crust template and eight cards to create pizza orders for a restaurant. The unique element here is that all of the topics are geometric shapes. The cheese is a rectangle, the pepperoni is a circle, etc. There are 5 topping options in all and 10 cut-outs of each topping. The felt mats wipe off easily and come with a storage bag. 

When you use this game to help your kids with 2D shapes, you’re not just exposing them to visuals. They’re learning to count the shapes and group them for orders. Why not set up a little pretend pizza shop in your classroom and let the kids make geometry part of their everyday play? 

4. Snap Math 2D Shapes Puzzle

The EAI Education Snap Math - 2D Shapes Puzzle is designed for grades 1-2 to help students learn about 2D shapes through engaging and interactive activities. Each set includes 12 puzzles, each consisting of four pieces: a shape, a characteristic, an everyday object, and the shape's name. The puzzles are self-correcting, ensuring that students get immediate feedback on their answers.

This product helps students by making abstract geometric concepts tangible. By physically handling and matching the pieces, students can better understand and retain information about different shapes and their properties.

5. Shape and Color Magnets with Real World Objects

The Shape and Color Magnets Set is an educational toy that can help kids make connections between the shapes they learn in class and the shapes they see in the world around them. You can use this set like a mix-and-match puzzle or have kids draw pictures of things from real life that match the shapes they see. 

The magnets are made with thick EVA foam, making them easy for little ones to pick up. It includes 32 pieces total, making 16 sets of shapes. The images are supposed to have an anti-curl lamination, which can help keep your set nice long after lots of little hands have played with them.  

Manipulatives and Elementary School Geometry

A strong comprehension of 2D shapes will help the children in your class feel confident as they move on up to 3D shapes and more advanced mathematics. Give them a stronger start. If you try out any of these manipulatives, let us know what you think!

Written by Rachel Jones
Education World Contributor
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