Circles are all around us, making them a fun and familiar shape for young children to explore! Introducing circles to preschoolers can be a playful experience filled with discovery and hands-on learning. On this page, you'll find creative ideas and activities to help little ones recognize, create, and enjoy circles.
- Make "snakes" with play dough to form long lines. Join the ends to make a circle (or bracelet) or coil to make a snake.
- Use small circular objects like bottle caps, cookie cutters, or even the end of a toilet paper roll as stamps. Let kids press them into the play dough to create circle shapes. You can talk about different sizes and encourage them to layer circles on top of each other.
Create patterns by beading with Primary Lacing Beads or by threading fruit loops onto spaghetti pieces stuck vertically into play dough.
- Make a stop light with three circles - red, yellow, and green.
- As you drive around or take a walk, look for circles in traffic signs. Discuss the colors as well.
- Paint of dye round pasta. Let try. Glue the colorful pasta on a piece of paper.
- Provide a collection of buttons in various sizes and colors. Draw a circle outline on paper, and let the children fill it by gluing buttons inside the circle.
- Draw a brown tree trunk and branches on a sheet of paper. Cut out green circles of various sizes to serve as leaves. The children can glue the circles onto the branches to create a full, leafy tree.
- Pre-cut a brown triangle for a cone and different colored circles to represent ice cream scoops. Allow the child to glue the circles in a stacked pattern on top of the triangle cone.
- Create a caterpillar with circles. Add legs and antennas. Use with the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar or the Wordless Book.
- Show kids how to roll small play dough circles or balls and line them up to make a caterpillar. They can experiment with different colors and sizes, then add eyes and antennas for a cute caterpillar friend!
- Gather various sized circular lids or caps. Dip the edge of the lids into paint and stamp onto a piece of paper.
- Cut bubble wrap into circular shapes or use a whole piece. Paint over the bubble wrap, press it onto paper, and lift it up to reveal lots of small painted circles.
- Use cylindrical objects like empty paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls. Dip one end in paint and stamp onto the paper.
- Dip Q-tips into paint and make small circular dots on paper. Children can create pictures or fill in templates using just circular dots.
- Circle Pizza: Before starting, go on a “circle hunt” in the kitchen. Ask the children to help you find circular toppings for the pizza. This could include pepperoni, olive slices, or even circular slices of meatballs.
Roll out biscuits as your crust. Top with pizza sauce and the circle toppings you found.
- Circle Cookie: Using sugar-cookie dough, make circular cookies with a circle cookie cutter. Bake according to directions. When cool, frost with icing. Then decorate with circular items (e.g round sprinkles, M&M’s, or cereal pieces like Cheerios).
For added learning, use various sizes of cookie cutters to make a variety of circle sizes. Sort after cooking.
Add to your Shape Family by creating a Circle Buddy. Cut a large circle out of construction paper. Accordion-fold long, thin pieces of paper to form legs and arms. Glue to the shape. Add a face with a circle shape for the eyes and nose. May also add shoes, hands, hair, or other accessories.
Watch a child confidently learn colors, shapes, and other academic learning through engaging, hands-on activities in the ABCJesusLovesMe Preschool Curriculum. With a focus on both academics and biblical values, this program nurtures development in every area, all while making learning fun. Click to discover how we can support a child's educational journey!
The Circles All Around Us by Brad and Kristi Montague is a sweet and meaningful story that shows how our personal circle of love and kindness can grow to include more people. Starting with a small circle around ourselves, it expands as we share love with family, friends, and the world. This book beautifully illustrates the power of kindness and connection in a way that young children can understand.
Wheels on the Bus brings the classic children's song to life with lively illustrations and playful details. As the bus travels through town, young readers can follow along with each verse, from the wheels going "round and round" to the wipers going "swish, swish, swish." It’s a fun, interactive book that invites kids to sing, move, and explore all the sights and sounds of a busy bus ride!
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh is a playful story where three little mice discover various shapes and use them to build different objects, like houses and trees, while cleverly avoiding a sneaky cat. Through their creative exploration, children learn about shapes, colors, and problem-solving in a fun and engaging way. It’s a sweet and simple book that makes learning shapes feel like a delightful adventure!
Tune: Marine Corp's Hymn, Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus, or Puff the Magic Dragon
God's love is like a circle,
A circle big and round.
For when you see a circle
No ending can be found.
And so the love of Jesus
Goes on eternally,
Forever and forever
I know that God loves me
View a video of the song God's Love is Like a Circle.
Tune: Have You Ever Seen a Lassie?
Have you ever seen a circle?
A circle, a circle
Have you ever seen a circle?
A circle big (small) and round
Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It
Put your circle in the air, in the air
Put your circle in the air, in the air
Put your circle in the air
And wave it everywhere
Put your circle in the air, in the air
Give each child a 2D or 3D circle to hold while singing.
Tune: Where is Thumbkin?
Where is circle?
Where is circle?
Here I am, Here I am
How are you today, sir?
Very well, I thank you
Run away, run away
Give each child two 2D or 3D circles to hold while singing.
Tune: Camptown Ladies
Here’s a shape that you will know
Circle, circle
Here’s a shape that you will know
Circle is its name
Tune: Up on the Housetop
Circle, circle big and round (make big circles in the air)
Where they end cannot be found
Tires, balls, the earth, and sun
Making circles is so much fun
Embark on a kaleidoscope of learning with our Color Packet. Bursting with vibrant colors and endless opportunities for creativity, this printable resource invites children on an exciting educational journey.
All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use or with an Active License Only
- Oreos, M&M’s, donut
- Ritz Crackers
- Slices: Orange, banana, hard boiled eggs, tomato
- English muffins, pancakes
- Cheerios, fruit loops
- Pizza, pepperoni
- Round pasta
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