# Toddler Shape Matching with Contact Paper
> Tape four sheets of colored contact paper to the wall sticky side up and draw a big shape on each. Toddlers then match and stick paper cut-out shapes, so they learn shapes while moving around instead of sitting at a table.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/shapes-for-toddlers-with-contact-paper/
- Ages: 1–4 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: low
- Time: prep 25 min, activity 20 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class · one batch serves about 2 kids
- Skills: shapes, shape-matching, colors, fine-motor, gross-motor, math

## Materials (one batch)
- 4 sheet Colored contact paper (4-pack)
- 1 piece Tape (household)
- Construction paper in assorted colors
- 1 piece Marker (household)
- 1 piece Scissors (household)
- 1 piece Plate or tray (optional) (household)

## Safety
- Supervise toddlers closely. Keep paper scraps and the peeled contact-paper backing away from little mouths.
- An adult does all the cutting with scissors.
- Tape the contact paper securely so it doesn't peel off and stick to faces or hair.
- For the running game, clear the path between the shapes and the wall.

## Before you start
- Cut 4 basic shapes (circles, squares, rectangles, triangles) from colored paper, several of each in different colors.
- Cut a few extra shapes. Kids may ask for more.

## Steps
1. Adult: peel the backing off the 4 sheets of colored contact paper.
2. Adult: tape the sheets to the wall, sticky side up.
3. Adult: draw one large shape on each color for your toddler to match.
4. Set out the paper shapes on a plate or tray.
5. Find a paper shape that matches a shape on the wall, and stick it on that sheet.
6. Press, peel and adjust each shape until all its sides are stuck.
7. More than one child? Put the shapes far from the wall and have the kids run to the wall to stick each one.
8. Keep going until every sheet is full of matching shapes.
9. Use the extra paper scraps to make simple contact paper art.

## Tips
- The sticky side gives the kids a big kick. Sticking, peeling and adjusting to make sure all the sides are stuck are all great for fine motor development.
- Instead of doing a learning activity at a table, give toddlers a chance to move about while learning.
- Watch for an older sibling over-helping. Big A shouted out instructions to her little sister, and I usually had to calm her down.
- The girls had so much fun that the little one asked for more shapes, so have extras ready.
- The younger one was very eager to peel the shapes off, so it can be played again and again.
- Sticky paper seems to be a kid favorite. Ours stayed up on the wall for more than 2 days.
- My toddler was very much into it because of the bright colors.

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2012)

This is a simple learning activity which attempts to teach shapes to toddlers. Toddler learning games and activities are bit hard to accomplish because of the sheer nature of that little person. Instead of doing a learning activity at a table, I gave them an opportunity to move about while learning.

- 4 pack colored contact paper
- Tape
- Construction Paper

I just peeled the backing off the contact paper and used tape to stick the 4 sheets to the wall sticky side up. I also drew a large shape on each color for my toddler to match.

 Using colored paper, I cut out 4 basic shapes for my toddler to recognize.

 I set out my paper shapes for them and it was sticking time. Baby A matched the shape on the contact paper to her paper cut outs. If you have more than 1 child, you could easily set up a friendly game. Place the shapes far away from the wall with the contact paper and have the kids run to the wall to stick the shape.

 The sticky side gives the kids a big kick. Sticking, peeling and adjusting to make sure all the sides are stuck are all great for fine motor development. Here is a collaborative effort from the girls. It is darling to see Big A get terribly upset when her sister makes a small mistake. That’s her shouting out instructions. I usually have to calm her down from over-helping her sister.

 The girls had much fun that baby A requested for more shapes.

 With the extra paper scraps, the kids made some simple contact paper art here. Big A was very curious and tried sticking everything in sight to see if they will hold up. The younger one was very eager to peel off the shapes.

 This toddler learning activity has so much potential that you either expand in many directions. Ideas

- Patterns for preschoolers and simple ones for toddlers too.
- Combine color recognition with shape recognition for toddlers. Simple prompts like “Do you want to stick the blue square on the red sticky paper?"
- Make funny faces with the shapes.

**Related Links**: If you love contact paper just like we do, check out [Learn with play at home's](http://www.learnwithplayathome.com/2012/08/15-fun-ways-to-use-contact-paper.html) comprehensive contact paper post. Some math posts from us

- **[Toddler shapes with a turkey](https://www.funlittles.com/thanksgiving-craft-for-the-toddler/)**
- **[Math with a safety pin](https://www.funlittles.com/learn-math-with-safety-pin/)**
- **[Addition with gems and apples](https://www.funlittles.com/addition-activity-for-preschoolers/)**

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