Identify Different 2D Shapes

This activity is about 2D shapes.  

We need to learn their names and spellings. Here, we will look at how to work out which shape is which. 

First of all, let's look at the most common 2D shapes. 

Here, we have a square.

We can recognise a square because it always has 4 sides and 4 corners.

The lengths of the sides are always equal. 

This is a rectangle.

Just like a square, a rectangle also has 4 sides and 4 corners. 

However, the lengths of the sides are different to a square. On a rectangle, the sides opposite each other are always equal but the sides next to each other will not be equal. 

This picture is also a rectangle, it has just been turned! 

This is a triangle.

A triangle always has 3 corners and 3 sides. 

The length of the sides can all be the same or they can be different! 

Here, we have a circle.

A circle has no corners and it only ever has one side that goes all the way around! 

Now, let's have a look at the less common 2D shapes:

Here, we have an oval.

We can recognise an oval because it looks like a stretched-out circle! 

Next, we have a kite.

We can recognise a kite because it always has 4 sides and it looks like a kite! 

Finally, we have a rhombus.

We can recognise a rhombus because it always has 4 sides and it is the same shape as a diamond. 

Then we have the shapes with lots of sides! 

A pentagon is any shape which has five sides: 

A hexagon is any shape that has six sides:

Last, but not least we have an octagon that has eight sides:

One way we can remember an octagon is that an octagon has eight sides just as an octopus has eight legs! 

Shall we have a go searching for shapes in the questions now?