Two Dimensional Activities for Children

Have children point out two-dimensional shapes, such as squares and circles, that they see in the classroom.

Two-dimensional activities for children can involve any number of artistic endeavors, such as printmaking, picture drawing and collage. Children can learn about two-dimensional shapes that occur in their environment as well as how to manipulate shapes to create new ones. Encourage children to experiment with different materials, such as paint, crayons and chalk, while working with two-dimensional shapes.

Manipulating Geometric Shapes

Create two-dimensional geometric shapes as tiles for children to manipulate out of construction paper. Construct a chart showing various geometric shapes, such as a trapezoid and a rhombus, and label each shape. Divide the children into small groups. Give each group at least 10 different shapes. Challenge the children to create their own charts with categories and glue each shape into a category on chart paper. Have them present their charts of shapes to the class. Discuss the various shapes that children see in the classroom, ranging from a rectangular book to a round wall clock. Give each child four to six of the pre-cut shapes, markers, crayons, glue and scissors. Instruct children to create their own shapes from the pre-cut shapes, urging them to make a shape they see in their surroundings. For example, one child may place a rectangle on top of four circles to create a car. Have the students glue their shapes on construction paper and draw a background.

Printmaking

Introduce children to the two-dimensional activity of printmaking. Have them paint their hands and feet then stamp a roll of butcher paper. Allow them to walk across the paper to create a repeated design. Show them repeated designs in wallpaper, clothing, book covers and wrapping paper. Take them outside to gather leaves, stones and bark. Ask them to go home and find items to use for print-making, such as sponges and bottle caps. Challenge them to use their natural and found objects to create repeated designs in the same way they stamped the paper with their feet.

Tearing and Cutting Paper

Gather different types of paper, such as gift wrap, tissue paper, construction paper and newspaper, along with glue sticks, scissors and brushes. Ask the children to tear and cut the paper into different shapes. Glue torn paper as well as cut paper to backgrounds and show children the difference between the textures of torn and cut edges. Demonstrate how to group or overlap shapes to create new ones. Encourage them to place light and dark colors beside each other to provide contrast. Alter the texture of a shape by crumpling, folding or slitting the paper. Challenge the children to create a composition with different shapes, textures and colors.

Collage and Mosaics

Have children draw a simple picture, such as a flower or animal, and color it with crayons so they have a clear idea of the colors they will need to create a mosaic. Hand out different-colored construction paper. Direct the children to choose the paper they need based on their drawings. Ask them to cut the paper into small tiles and apply them to their drawings with glue. Instruct them to start in the middle of the picture, focusing on the main figure or object, then work toward the edges of their mosaics.

References

• Education World: Two-Dimensional Geometric Shapes
• "Creative Activities for Young Children"; Mary Mayesky; 2011

Resources

• Education.com: Two-Dimensional Shape Match-Up