2D and 3D Shapes Activity

When students reach the 2nd grade, they reach a new standard of learning geometry.

2nd grade geometry is fun because students are learning how shapes fit into the world around them. Shapes are everywhere, and it’s always rewarding to see my 2nd graders begin to connect their math lessons to their surroundings.

However, your average 2D and 3D shape worksheets aren’t very enjoyable, and definitely aren’t engaging. Geometry is a hands-on kind of lesson, especially when students are introduced to 3D shapes. It deserves a hands-on activity to go with it!

That’s why I love supplementing our class’s geometry unit with this 2D and 3D Shapes Foldable Activity. Students get the chance to cut, glue, and assemble their own foldables all while learning valuable information about a bunch of different shapes. The activity is the perfect way to get them to make observations about 2D and 3D figures and where they see those shapes in real life. And it’s all far more engaging than a regular old worksheet!

2nd graders are tasked with learning a bunch of new shapes and taking note of a given shape’s sides, vertices, and faces. It’s a lot of new knowledge and vocabulary to take in, so this foldable is a super great reference to have on hand. Many teachers let their students keep their completed activity in their folders or desks if they ever need to refer back to it. I love this method because it allows one activity to continue to serve your classroom!

What’s included in this 2D and 3D Shapes Activity?

This shapes foldable gives students a comprehensive introduction to all the standard 2D and 3D shapes. The activity covers…

●       2D Shapes (circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, octagon)

●       3D Shapes (sphere, cylinder, cube, rectangular prism, cone, pyramid)

●       Number of sides

●       Number of vertices

●       Number of faces

●       Flat or solid

●       An application portion – Where do we see these shapes in real life?

I have included two versions: one with the answers already written in, and one where the spaces are left blank. This is perfect for differentiating the activity for any students who might be struggling with their geometry lessons.

You also receive a step by step video tutorial on how to assemble the foldables. This is a great way to prepare for class and answer any questions your students might have!

How does the 2nd Grade Shapes Activity work?

Foldables aren’t just fun for 2nd graders — they are also super easy to assemble, so you don’t have to help students through every step of the process. Students begin with a large sheet of black construction paper. Then, they paste the printed squares that you receive upon download onto the different panels of the construction paper. Finally, they complete the activity!

The video tutorial that’s included with this activity is super helpful for explaining this. Your students will become foldable masters in no time! And as always, if you suspect that your students may struggle to assemble their foldables, feel free to cut portions of the construction paper or the panels for them ahead of time.

How can you use this 2D and 3D shapes activity in the classroom?

If you’re just kicking off your 2nd grade geometry unit, this foldable activity is a fantastic way to introduce them to all the concepts in a fun way. Students can keep the foldable in their folders and refer back to it throughout the geometry unit to help refresh their memories. They could even fill it out as your class moves through the unit and learns about all of the different shapes.

Alternatively, you could use it at the end of your 2nd grade geometry unit as a review. Since it touches on a lot of those key geometry concepts, it would be an amazing way to help students lock in all of the basics before moving on to another unit.

Looking for more fun foldable math reviews and practice?

This 2nd grade shapes activity is included in our larger bundle of 2nd Grade Math Review Activities! The bundle also contains…

●       2nd Grade Graphing and Data

●       Telling Time 2nd Grade Activity

●       2nd Grade Measurement Activity

●       2nd Grade Money and Coins Activity

●       2nd Grade Fractions Activity

Download a copy of this done-for-you foldable!

Learning about 2D and 3D shapes can be exciting for 2nd graders, but boring worksheets certainly aren’t! Even so, it’s crucial to get these skills down in preparation for more advanced geometry down the road. This 2D and 3D Shapes Foldable Activity is the perfect hands-on way to solidify those concepts and provide students with a reference throughout their geometry unit. I love using this interactive activity from year to year, and I know you will too!

How do you typically teach 2D and 3D shapes in your 2nd grade classroom? I’d love to hear about your geometry lesson routine!