Squares are a wonderful shape for young children to explore, with their equal sides and endless possibilities for fun! This page is filled with creative activities, catchy songs, snack ideas, and more that all revolve around the square shape, making it easy to incorporate learning into everyday play. You’ll find plenty of ideas here to spark curiosity and hands-on learning!
Tune: Are You Sleeping?
Four straight sides, four straight sides
The same length, The same length
Join them together, Join them together
A square with strength, a square with strength
Tune: Camptown Ladies
Here’s a shape that you will know
Square, square
Here’s a shape that you will know
Square is its name
Tune: Where is Thumbkin?
Where is square?
Where is square?
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 square to hold while singing.
Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It
Put your square in the air, in the air
Put your square in the air, in the air
Put your square in the air
And wave it everywhere
Put your square in the air, in the air
Give each child a 2D or 3D square to hold while singing.
Tune: Have You Ever Seen a Lassie?
Have you ever seen a square?
A square, a square
Have you ever seen a square?
A square with four long (short) sides
Print the Square Creature printable. Color the square creature’s parts. Glue on a large square cut from a piece of construction paper. Accordian fold four thin pieces of paper. Attach to the construction-paper square as two arms and two legs. Glue at the end of each according piece the feet and hands portions of the printable.
Using pretzel sticks and mini marshmallows, make squares. Poke the ends of the pretzels into the marshmallows to hold the pretzels together.
Add to your Shape Family by creating a Square Buddy. Cut a large square 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 square shape for the eyes and nose. May also add shoes, hands, hair, or other accessories.
Cut out the inside of a paper plate and decorate with cut square pieces of construction paper or tissue paper.
- Look for squares in the grocery store or while taking a nature hike. Look for squares in everyday objects like windows, tiles, books, or even a checkerboard pattern on clothing. Count how many squares you can find together!
- Play with blocks and discuss the squares on each of the sides.
- Challenge the child to build a tower or wall using only squares and talk about how squares fit neatly together without leaving gaps.
Using safety scissors, Cut a Robot using the printable. Do not show the child the example, rather allow her imagination to put the robot together as she desires.
- Roll four snakes, cutting to make them the same size. Form together to make a square.
- Roll out play dough and use safe knives to cut squares in the play dough.
- Have the child form small, flat squares of playdough. It may be helpful to form balls of playdough, flattening out the sides. Then stack the square on top of each other to create a tower. You can challenge the child to see how tall he/she can make it without the tower falling over.
- Use various square objects like blocks, lids, or toy parts to press into the playdough, creating square imprints. Explore different sizes while making patterns.
Print the Square Christmas Present. Cut small squares of green and red construction paper to glue on the present. Color the bow.
All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use or with an Active License Only
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin is a heartwarming story about Spookley, an unusual square pumpkin in a patch full of round ones. Through his unique shape, Spookley shows that being different can be a strength, and he ultimately saves the day, teaching children the value of embracing individuality and kindness.
Llama Llama Shapes introduces young readers to shapes with the beloved character Llama Llama. Through simple, engaging illustrations, Llama explores different shapes while visiting the Farmers Market with Mama, making it easy for preschoolers to recognize circles, squares, triangles, and more. Count the shapes and discover how many are on each page.
Perfect Square by Michael Hall tells the charming story of a square who feels content in his perfect shape until he experiences a series of transformations that change his form. As he is cut, torn, and reshaped into different forms, he learns to embrace the beauty of change and creativity.
- Saltine, Wheatable, Cheez It Crackers|
- Waffle
- American Cheese slice
- Bar cookies cut in squares
- Cheese cubes
- Sandwich Bread (can be cut in four small squares)
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