Learning shapes is a key early math activities for toddlers. Here is a fun and easy early math activity to help your toddler practice their shapes using magnetic tiles.
Here’s How To Set Up Magna-Tiles Shape Match
Gather your supplies. Fill your large sensory bin with coloured rice. I used about 5 cups of coloured for this activity.
How To Make Coloured Rice:
- 1 cup white rice.
- 1/2 tsp white vinegar.
- Add as much food colouring as desired. The more you add the more vibrant your rice will likely be.
- Combine all ingredients in a large Ziploc bag. Seal tightly and mix thoroughly. Spread it out over a baking sheet and let it dry overnight.
Shape Matching
On the back of a baking sheet trace different magna-tile shapes using a sharpie.
So yes, I used permanent marker on my baking sheet! I know!? I used the back – the part least likely to be seen by house guests. Plus permanent marker isn’t really that permanent. I was able to get most of it off after a few washes. But really, since it’s on the back of my most used baking sheet I am OK with it having a little marker!
Place the shapes you traced in the sensory bin and bury them in the rice.
Early Math Activity for Toddlers
Invite your toddler or preschooler to search through the coloured rice with their hands to find magna-tile shapes and match them to the correct shape on the baking sheet.
Activity Extension
The best part of this activity is the huge potential for it to turn into free play when they are done shape matching. Either they will play with the rainbow rice or they will play with the magna-tiles or both!
Supplies
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- Connetix Tiles
- 41 Qt, Clear Sensory Bin (Large)
- Coloured Rice
- Baking Sheet
- Sharpie
WILL YOU TRY MAGNA-TILE SHAPE MATCHING WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE? Pin it for later!!
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