2D Shape Hide and Seek: Winter Snowman Theme
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 9
2D Shape Hide and Seek: Winter Snowman
- 12 shape cards, each one a snowman in a different shape: triangle, circle, square, oval, rhombus, rectangle, trapezoid, pentagon, octagon, hexagon, parallelogram and star
- 8 winter hat hiding cards
- Black and white versions of the shape cards and hiding cards
- “Which shape is it?” recording sheet
- Table of contents and game instructions
Kids name each shape as they guess, so the snowmen become a fun way to practice the names of 12 different 2D shapes.
Required Materials:
- Paper, printer and ink
- Pocket chart (or a table)
- Paper cutter or scissors
- Pencils or crayons for the recording sheet
- Optional: laminator
Standards for 2D Shapes and Geometry
This winter snowman shape hide and seek game supports early math standards connected to naming shapes, describing shapes and recognizing shapes in different sizes and positions.
Common Core State Standards: Mathematics
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.A.2: Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size. Kids name all 12 shapes each time they guess where the winter hat is hiding.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.B.4: Analyze and compare two-dimensional shapes using informal language to describe their parts, like the number of sides and corners. Kids use side and corner clues to narrow down their guesses.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and TEKS for Mathematics
- PK4.V.C.1: Child names and describes common 2D shapes and names at least 1 solid 3D shape. Kids name the shape they want to look behind.
- PK4.V.C.4: Child recognizes common shapes, regardless of orientation and size. The shapes are drawn as themed pictures in different sizes and positions.
- TEKS K.6(A): Identify two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, rectangles and squares as special rectangles. Kids find these shapes and more in the pocket chart.
Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning
- K.MG.2: Identify, describe, name, compare and construct plane figures (circles, triangles, squares and rectangles). Kids name and describe the shapes as they play.
Winter Snowman 2D Shape Hide and Seek is a pocket chart guessing game that gives preschool and kindergarten kids hands-on practice naming 12 shapes as they search for the hiding winter hat.
Which snowman is hiding the winter hat? Kids name a shape, peek behind the snowman and keep guessing until they find it!
Place the 12 snowman shape cards in a pocket chart and secretly tuck a winter hat card behind one of them. Kids take turns naming a shape, like “Is it behind the hexagon?”, then lift the card to check.
Every guess is a chance to say a shape name out loud, from the circle and square to the trapezoid, pentagon and octagon. The recording sheet lets kids draw or write the shapes they guessed.
How to Play Winter Snowman 2D Shape Hide and Seek
- Place the shape cards in a pocket chart. If you don’t have one, lay them face up on a table.
- While the children close their eyes, hide a winter hat card behind one shape card.
- Kids take turns naming a shape and checking behind it until someone finds the winter hat. Then hide it again and play another round!
Circle Time: The whole group takes turns guessing. Count how many guesses it takes to find the winter hat.
Partner Play: Partners take turns hiding and guessing at a pocket chart center and record their guesses on the recording sheet.
Easy Ways to Differentiate This Winter Snowman 2D Shape Hide and Seek Game
Every group has a mix of shape, vocabulary and turn-taking skills. These simple changes keep the game familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Start with 4 to 6 basic shapes, like the circle, square, triangle and rectangle.
- Name each shape together before you hide the card.
- Point to the shape and say the name together.
- Accept pointing as an answer.
For On-Level Practice:
- Use all 12 shape cards.
- Have kids ask in a full sentence, like “Is it behind the pentagon?”
- Record each guess on the recording sheet.
- Hide two winter hats at once.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Give clues, like “It’s behind a shape with 6 sides.”
- Have kids count the sides and corners before they guess.
- Use the black and white cards and let kids color the shapes.
- Ask kids to find the same shape somewhere in the room.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Use the same small set of shapes across several sessions.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Model the question “Is it behind the ___?” and give plenty of wait time.
- Let kids pull the cards out of the pocket chart for added fine motor practice.
- Play cooperatively when the goal is shape names, not winning.
Winter Snowman 2D Shape Hide and Seek Is Perfect For:
- Preschool and pre-K
- Kindergarten
- Winter themes
- Circle time
- Math centers
- Pocket chart centers
- Small-group instruction
- Special education
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Homeschool
