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You can find geometric shapes everywhere! Practice observation skills and notice examples of
geometric shapes in this scavenger hunt, and then sketch and write about each shape.
In this activity, you’ll walk the sides and interior angles of various polygons drawn on the playground.
Paved surfaces sometimes form cracks due to stress from objects embedded in the
surface, or due to stress created by expansion or contraction. In this activity, you’ll
observe and sketch cracking patterns.
What would your friend look like in “tiny pants”? Using a simple trick of perspective, you can dress your friends in tiny cutout clothing.
Get outside and explore geometry (and other math) all around you.
A math trail is a walk with various stops where you look at math in the world around you, and ask questions about it.
These hands-on activities will help spark students’ interest in geometry. They're designed for classroom use but can also be done by families or other groups. ESPAÑOL indicates activities that are available in Spanish.
Grade level | Title | Description | ||||
K–2 |
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K–2 |
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Make many-sided shapes with string. | ||||
K–2 |
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See how polygons fit together. | ||||
K–2 |
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Repeating patterns in two and three dimensions. | ||||
K–2 |
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The symmetry of mirror images. | ||||
3–5 |
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Slide a shape to create an unusual tiled pattern. | ||||
3–5 |
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Rotate a flat shape into the third dimension. | ||||
3–5 |
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See how mirrors reflect the features of a shape. | ||||
3–5 |
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3–5 |
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3–5 | ![]() |
Make multi-sided shapes with string. | ||||
6–8 | ![]() |
Draw a 3D structure in two dimensions. | ||||
6–8 | ![]() |
Build your own stellated rhombic dodecahedron. | ||||
6–8 | ![]() |
Design unique tiles and make repeating patterns. | ||||
6–8 | ![]() |
What happens when a cube gets bigger and bigger? | ||||
6–8 | ![]() |
Changing pictures in a curved mirror. | ||||
6–8 | ![]() |
The more squares you add, the more interesting the shapes get. |
This set of activities is written for a class, after school, or other group to
do on a playground. They can easily be adapted to be done by families, however,
and they can be done at other outdoor locations. Physical exercise and the
gamelike nature of the activities make learning geometry fun.
ESPAÑOL indicates activities that are available in Spanish.
ESPAÑOL
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What geometric shapes can you find on the playground? ¿Qué formas geométricas puedes encontrar en el parque de juegos? |
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Use your own two feet to estimate distances. |
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Use a scale factor to create an accurate map. |
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Use your hand as a tool for indirect measurement. |
ESPAÑOL
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Measure angles with a tool you can make yourself. Mide ángulos con una herramienta que puedes hacer tú mismo. |
ESPAÑOL
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Are some angles more common than others? ¿Algunos ángulos son más comunes que otros? |
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What angles can you find in playground equipment? |
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Investigate the interior angles of polygons with your feet. |
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What’s the rule that tells you whether or not a network can be “traveled’? |
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Use cooperation and logical thinking to find solutions. |
Geometry Playground is made possible by the National Science Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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