Shape I Spy is a fun and interactive way for students to practise identifying 2D shapes in real-life objects! This engaging game encourages observation, counting, and shape recognition—all while building essential geometry vocabulary.

To play, students choose a shape (e.g. circle) and place a counter on every object on the board that matches that shape. Once complete, they count the total and record it at the bottom. The activity is repeated for each shape—triangle, square, oval, rectangle, and diamond.

Shape I Spy is ideal for small group work, shape rotations, or early finisher tasks. With six different game boards included, it’s perfect for repeated practise and classroom variety.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify and name common 2D shapes
• ✅ Recognise shapes in real-world images
• ✅ Count and record shape totals accurately
• ✅ Practise visual discrimination and attention to detail
• ✅ Engage in hands-on, independent or group-based learning

What’s Included:

• 6 different Shape I Spy game boards
• Recording section on each board for tallying shape totals
• Instructions for classroom use

Materials Needed:

• Printed game boards
• Counters or small manipulatives
• Pencils or markers for recording
• Optional: laminator for reuse with whiteboard markers

How to Use:

• • Provide students with a game board and set of counters
• • Instruct them to find and mark each example of a given shape
• • Count and record how many of that shape they find
• • Repeat for each of the six shapes on the board
• • Rotate boards for variety or set up as a shape rotation station

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use in small group maths sessions or rotations
• 💡 Pair with shape posters or anchor charts for vocabulary support
• 💡 Set up as a fast finisher task with recording sheets
• 💡 Use different coloured counters for each shape to aid visual sorting
• 💡 Add a challenge prompt: “Which shape did you find the most?”

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Laminate boards for long-term use and easy cleanup
• 💛 Use themed counters (e.g. mini erasers) for added fun
• 💛 Encourage students to describe the shape properties as they play
• 💛 Extend learning by having students create their own “I Spy” boards

Shape I Spy is a simple yet powerful way to reinforce shape recognition and observation skills—turning shape review into an engaging game for every learner!