If you’re looking for a hands-on 2D shape lesson with the added benefit of creating an educational and eye-catching classroom display, then the 2D Shape Mobile Craft is the activity you’ve been searching for. This engaging task blends fine motor skills with foundational geometry—perfect for bringing your maths learning to life.

Students will build their shape knowledge as they cut, colour, draw, and assemble a hanging mobile featuring 2D shapes. Along the way, they’ll match each shape with real-life examples and record key shape properties such as sides and corners. With eight common 2D shapes and four flexible printing options included, this resource is designed to suit a variety of learning levels and classroom setups.

Templates are available in colour or black and white—ready to print on white or coloured cardstock, or for students to colour themselves. There’s even an optional extension task where students cut and paste real-world 2D shape images onto the back of each mobile piece. Whether used during a shapes unit or as a stand-alone craft project, this mobile will brighten up your classroom while reinforcing key maths concepts.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify and name common 2D shapes
• ✅ Match 2D shapes with real-world examples
• ✅ Describe shape properties including sides and corners
• ✅ Develop fine motor skills through cutting, colouring, and assembling

What’s Included:

• Templates for 8 common 2D shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, rhombus)
• 4 printing options: colour, black and white, black and white for colouring, and outline-only
• Optional task: cut and paste real-life 2D shape examples
• Instruction page for teachers

Materials Needed:

• Printed templates (cardstock recommended)
• Scissors and glue sticks
• Coloured pencils or markers (if using black and white version)
• String, ribbon, or wool to assemble the mobile
• Sticky tape or hole punch for connecting pieces

How to Use:

• • Choose the template version that suits your students and print accordingly
• • Have students colour, label, and cut out each 2D shape
• • Record shape properties (sides, corners) on each piece
• • Optionally glue real-world examples to the back
• • Assemble using string, tape, or ribbon and hang in the classroom

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Complete as a consolidation task at the end of a 2D shapes unit
• 💡 Use during maths rotations with shape books or manipulatives for support
• 💡 Pair with a shape hunt—students gather real-world shape examples to use on their mobiles
• 💡 Host a “Maths Gallery” and let students showcase their mobiles to peers or families
• 💡 Add student photos to the mobiles for a personalised maths display

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Print on cardstock to increase durability and display quality
• 💛 Use the activity as an informal assessment of shape understanding
• 💛 Differentiate by allowing students to focus on fewer shapes or simpler properties
• 💛 Pre-punch holes or pre-cut pieces for students who need fine motor support
• 💛 Use the mobiles as part of a classroom shape wall or maths-themed decor

2D Shape Pizza and 2D Shape Monster are perfect companion tasks if you’re looking to keep the 2D shape fun going!