Exploring shapes with colorful feathers is fun math play for preschoolers. This simple activity is easy to provide with the free printable shape templates included in the post. Help kids learn to recognize and name basic shapes with this hands-on activity. 

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Feathers are a great option for kids crafts and activities: they're lightweight and durable; they're easy to clean up; they provide a quiet - really quiet - activity.

You can do this activity with your preschooler without waking a sleeping toddler! Learning shapes doesn't get any more fun than that.

Related: Feather Rainbow Activity

Shapes are explored by early learners in everyday play: stacking blocks, fitting puzzle pieces together; eating crackers at snack time.

You can also provide intentional play ideas, like this feather activity, to support early math skills. Using everyday materials in creative ways helps kids learn with hands-on experimentation and discovery.

This shapes activity with feathers provides awesome play ideas. Feathers can easily be lined up, overlapped, counted and sorted by color. Support math, sensory, and fine motor experiences with this simple shape activity.

How to learn about shapes with feathers

This activity is easy to setup with just paper and feathers. You can usually find a bag of craft feathers in your local craft store, or purchase online a bag of feathers in different sizes and colors (aff. link).

Draw shapes by hand on cardboard or plain paper, or print shapes with the link below.

Shape templates 

Create or print the shape templates, then experiment with placing feathers on the shapes.

Talk with your preschoolers about the colors of the feathers they choose, and the shapes they make. 

• Kids can use feathers to form the shapes they know, or simply create new shapes and designs.

Play ideas for learning shapes with feathers

Here are a few ideas for math play with feathers.

• Use one color on a shape or a variety of colors.
  
  
• Count the number of feathers needed to go around each shape.
  
  
• Place feathers on a shape, remove them, then add them to another shape. Do you need more or less feathers for the other shape?
  
  
• Fill the inside of the shape with feathers. How many feathers will fit?
  
  
• Can you stack feathers one on top of the other?

• Sort and count feathers by size and by color.
  
  
• Glue feathers to a shape to make a picture you can save.

Keep some feathers on a shelf at home or in the classroom where they are easily accessible for independent play.

You will enjoy the simplicity of this quiet time activity as you play and learn with your preschooler!

 Lots more to see on our Math Pinterest Board