Strengthen fine motor skills while reinforcing 2D shape recognition with this engaging Hole Punch It: Shapes activity! Students are encouraged to use a hole puncher to make holes in line with the small circles around each shape—helping to build hand strength, control, and precision.

This task is ideal for early years classrooms, OT support, or fine motor rotations. As students line up the hole punch and squeeze to create each punch, they’re building the muscles and coordination essential for handwriting development—all while reinforcing their knowledge of common shapes.

Provide a variety of materials such as coloured card or plain paper, and store finished shapes for display or take-home work. It’s a satisfying, low-prep way to support foundational skills with purpose and fun!

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Recognise and name 2D shapes
• ✅ Strengthen hand muscles through controlled squeezing
• ✅ Practise spatial awareness and visual tracking
• ✅ Support pencil grip development through tool use
• ✅ Build independence and concentration through repetitive, structured movement

What’s Included:

• Shape templates with circular hole guide markers
• Shapes include: circle, square, rectangle, triangle, oval, diamond, and more

Materials Needed:

• Printed shape mats
• Single hole punchers
• Optional: coloured paper or card
• Optional: clipboard or firm surface for support

How to Use:

• • Print your desired shape mat on paper or card
• • Model how to line up the hole punch with each circle
• • Students punch along the outline, following the shape path
• • Count the number of punches or identify the shape when complete
• • Display finished work or store in fine motor folders

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use in fine motor rotations or independent OT tasks
• 💡 Pair with shape sorting or drawing activities
• 💡 Laminate and reuse with markers instead of hole punching
• 💡 Collect punched shapes and string them into a class garland
• 💡 Create a shape of the week display using completed punch mats

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Use different colours for different shapes to add variety
• 💛 Provide supervision and support for younger learners using punchers
• 💛 Reinforce vocabulary while students complete each shape
• 💛 Store tools and templates in labelled tubs for quick rotation use

This resource is perfect for developing hand strength and shape knowledge—ideal for early years classrooms and fine motor intervention groups.