Building Shapes with Playdough

Building Shapes with Playdough – A Fun STEM Activity for Kids

Playdough is not just for squishing and molding—it’s a fantastic tool for learning geometry through hands-on play! This STEM activity combines creativity and education, allowing kids to build 2D and 3D shapes while exploring concepts of geometry and structure of different shapes like square, triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, cubes, cuboids and much more.

What You’ll Need:

Store-bought or homemade playdough
Toothpicks or small sticks

How to Do It:

Take small portions of playdough and roll them into round balls. These will serve as connectors for the different geometrical shapes.

Use toothpicks or sticks as edges and pierce them into the playdough balls to form various shapes.

Start with 2D shapes like triangles, squares, and hexagons.

Once kids are comfortable with 2D shapes, guide them to create 3D shapes like cubes, cuboids, and pyramids.

Name each shape and explain its characteristics (e.g., “A triangle has three sides”).

What Kids Learn:

Geometry Basics: Recognize and create 2D and 3D shapes.
Problem-Solving: Figure out how to assemble shapes using limited resources.
Fine Motor Skills: Rolling, molding, and placing objects improve dexterity.
STEM Concepts: Learn about edges, vertices, and the difference between 2D and 3D objects.

This activity is perfect for Kindergarten and early elementary kids, making learning shapes fun and interactive. Encourage your kids to be creative and build their own unique structures!