Exploring Shapes in Spanish

In this post: Teach your kids all about shapes in Spanish using tools and techniques that are both fun and interactive.

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Teaching your kids something new comes with its own set of challenges. Add to that the difficulties that may arise when teaching them in another language and you certainly have your hands full. However, given the many benefits of bilingualism, it’s worth every second.

Whether in English or Spanish, an important part of achieving success is using the right tools and resources especially when it comes to teaching the fundamentals such as learning colors or counting. 

This will help your kids to establish a solid foundation for learning even more skills as they get older. Over time (and with lots of practice and patience), you’d find that your kids understand information better and actually retain what they learn. Children are also so much more capable than we give them credit for and are able to learn a second language much easier at an early age. 

Many scientists refer to this as ‘the critical period’ and according to research, between the ages of 0 and 3, the brains of young children are uniquely suited to learn a second language as the brain is in its most flexible stage. Keep this in mind the next time you feel discouraged and keep at it. ¡Sí, se puede! (Yes we can!) 

Now let’s jump right into today’s post. 

FREE Shape Flashcards in Spanish

If you’re not careful, flashcards can become one of those good-to-have but never used items. While they’re a great tool for revision and independent learning, it’s also possible that kids may quickly become bored using them. With a bit of creativity, you’d find that there are so many fun ways to use flashcards in Spanish to support language learning. Here are some of our favorites. 

When you’re done with that post, take a look at our great starter pack of shape flashcards available in our Mama Llama library of resources. Check them out by signing up for access to our freebie library. We’ve also got you covered when it comes to pronunciation as they’re complete with native-speaker audio tracks. 

What are the Names of Shapes in Spanish?

One of the first things to understand and teach your kids about shapes is the difference between 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) shapes.

As the names suggest, 2D shapes only have two dimensions, width and height such as a square while 3D shapes have three dimensions, width, height and depth such as a cube. Typically, kids are taught 2D shapes and counting sides (lados) in preschool/ pre-K then learn 3D shapes from 1st grade onwards. 

The good thing is that shapes are all around us. You can easily identify them in many household items and even the toys that your kids play with every day. Use this as an opportunity to do guided activities and get your children to identify shapes among the objects they already use. Choose categories or themes such as school essentials, kitchen items or my favorite things. 

Related post: Here’s Why Thematic Spanish Lessons for Kids Actually Work

Take a look at the table below to learn the names in Spanish of the most common 2D and 3D shapes. 

Fun Ideas to Teach Shapes in Spanish

Use these fun activities to get your kids excited about learning the shapes in Spanish.

Arts and Crafts

Good ole printables: You can never go wrong with printables. Having access to websites such as Pinterest means that the possibilities are endless. Grab some traceable pages on shapes for a two-fold activity. Have your kids trace the shapes then write the names of each one in Spanish. If possible, you can also make it a coloring activity. 

Find that shape: Make your own drawings of everyday objects that include hidden shapes or use pictures from books you already have at home. Then ask your child to identify the shapes by using phrases such as ‘¿Dónde está el círculo?’ (Where is the circle?). You can also point to different shapes and ask them to tell you the name in Spanish.

Paper shape flowers: Using just three tools – construction paper, scissors and glue, get your kids to only use shapes to make a picture of their favorite flowers or any other items they choose. Take a look at this site before getting started. 

For even more fun projects, check out this blog by The Measured Mom. 

More activities: 

Montessori shape sorters:

Toddlers will enjoy matching the wooden pegs to the shapes outlined on the geometry panel. It’s also a great way to reinforce color cognition and encourage parent-child interaction. 

Pattern blocks:

These plastic pattern blocks come in 6 shapes and 6 different colors. These are so fun for ages 3+ as they can use the 250-piece set to form any shape as small or as large as they like.

Geoboard:

Toddlers can use this wooden geoboard to make shapes, letters and more while improving their fine motor and visual motor skills. It comes with 30 pattern cards and latex bands of different sizes that allow you to recreate patterns or design your own. 

Play-Doh modeling shapes:

Help your kids discover shapes using this kit that comes complete with 8 shape cutters, decorating tools and 7 assorted colors of Play-Doh. Ideal for ages 3 and up. 

Spanish Books about Shapes

As always, we have our top book recommendations to guide you along the way. It’s also a great opportunity to get in some reading and pronunciation practice while also learning about a new topic in Spanish. A win-win if you ask me. 

For toddlers: 

Lil’ Libros Cuauhtémoc

This book and the vivid imagery will transport you to Mexico to discover the city of Tenochtitlan. Learn shapes in Spanish by exploring with Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor. 

Canticos: Shapes and Patterns 

As part of the Canticos Bilingual Firsts collection, this book teaches the fundamental skills of identifying and naming shapes in both English and Spanish. This board book of shapes and patterns is perfect for little readers. 

For ages 4+ 

Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes 

The rich illustrations and rhyming text of this book make for an enjoyable read while helping kids to identify shapes in everyday objects. There’s also a glossary to help your kids with those Spanish words they may not have learned just yet.

Las formas

This is a really interactive option for busy (but not destructive!) hands. Lift dozens of flaps to learn about shapes in this book.

Videos for Preschoolers about Shapes in Spanish

Canta con Jess: Sing along with Jess in this bilingual video to learn three basic shapes in Spanish: circle, square and triangle. Your kids can also follow the simple instructions to learn how to draw the shapes and count the sides. 

Little Baby Bum en Espanol: Learn this upbeat song about shapes in Spanish while being guided by the English translation and shapes as they appear throughout the video.

Pinkfong: In addition to the names of the shapes, this video identifies them among everyday objects so the concept is easier to grasp and more relatable.

Audio only 

Though there’s no video to go along with the following songs, they’ll be ideal to practice pronunciation once your kids have already learned the shapes in Spanish. Here are two of our favorites that are available on Spotify. 

Las figuras:  Master the 2D shapes with this lively song by Spanish Together that’s just over 1 minute.

Las figuras geometricas: This song by 123 Andrés encourages listers to recall the shapes in Spanish by drawing them in the air, simple yet effective. 

Llamitas Spanish Curriculum

The resources and activities we’ve mentioned so far will help you get off to a great start. For further help and support covering shapes and all the fundamentals and first concepts for Preschool and Kindergarten, we offer the full-year Llamitas Spanish Curriculum. 

There are lots of opportunities to practice mathematics including shapes, counting and patterns, as well as phonics, literacy, music, art and more. The lessons cover over 10 thematic units and come with text to facilitate the lesson in English or Spanish so you can always switch between the two as necessary. 

Hear what others had to say about the curriculum and enroll now by checking out our shop. 

Related Posts:

Colors in Spanish

Counting in Spanish Made Easy

Preschool and Kindergarten Spanish Lessons

Kimberly Inglis

Kimberly is a freelance writer from Trinidad and Tobago who was always fascinated by language and holds a B.A in Spanish with a minor in Linguistics. She considers herself to be a multipotentialite due to her many interests and a few of her favorite things include coffee, pasta and scented candles.

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