Ovals: Learning Activities for Shapes
It’s time for some fun learning activities with ovals. When I was growing up we had an oval shaped swimming pool in our backyard. I enjoyed playing with Silly Putty
Content:
Toys
Craft:
Abstract Picture of Circles and Ovals
Snacks
Story Time
Related Posts
Toys
What kinds of oval shaped toys can your child find? Can they build an oval train or car track? Are there some play food eggs in their pretend kitchen? How about some plastic Easter eggs? Get some play dough out and experiment with making balls (circles) of play dough and then squishing it slightly to turn the circles into ovals. If it’s warm out fill up some water-balloons and have a fun time in the yard. Ovals can be found everywhere? What else did you and your child find?
(top)
Craft
Abstract Picture of Circles and Ovals
Not all arts and crafts have to form a specific picture or item. Experimenting with different materials and creating your own art work can be very fun and extremely educational. In this craft your child can learn the relationship between circles and ovals while creating their own artwork.
Materials Needed:
Toilet paper tubes
Paint (as many colors as you want)
Plate
White Paper
Instructions:
1. Pour a small amount of paint out on a plate.
2. Dip one end of the toilet paper tube into the paint and stamp it onto the white paper. Have your child be careful not to squish the tube for the first few “stamps”.
3. After making several circles on the paper, gently squish the toilet paper tube. If your child has trouble keeping the toilet paper roll squished into an oval you can use a rubber band to hold it in an oval shape.
4. Dip it in the paint and “stamp” onto the paper. What shape are you making now?
This is a very simple craft that can be used with a very young child but older children will also enjoy making their own abstract art pieces.
Foods for snack or meal time
Boiled eggs, olives, baked potato, kiwi (if you slice it end to end), grapes, oval-shaped crackers, pumpkin seeds, cucumbers or pickles (sliced end to end)
Story Time
Reading Level: Birth – 4 yrs old
D. H. Dilkes has a great series of little books that discuss different shapes. In this book you will find ovals in many different places. I like the fact that the illustrations are photographs of every day items. The text is simple which is great for a young child that is just being introduced to shapes.
Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
There are so many ovals around us. Some windows are shaped like ovals. Watermelons are shaped like ovals. The author does a wonderful job of explaining and showing the difference between a circle and an oval. I especially liked how a couple of the illustrations showed that an arch reflected in water looks like an oval. There are bright fun colors and illustrations throughout the book. You and your child will have lots of fun as you explore ovals.
Reading Level: Birth – 4 yrs old
Dana Meachen Rau has a great series of little books about shapes. In this book you will see several different ovals. You might find some right in your own house. The simple text and bright pictures will give you and your child a lot to talk about. This is a great little book for introducing ovals to your child.
Related Posts
Shapes – Overview
The Lessons – Overview
Circles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Squares: Learning Activities for Shapes
Rectangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Triangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Diamonds: Learning Activities for Shapes
Stars: Learning Activities for Shapes
Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes
Learning Should Be Fun
Colors – Overview
Irion @ Diapers To Potty says
These are great! Another activity that I like to do with my kids is have them find the shapes around the house. Like I would say find a circle and they would point to the clock or other things. I can’t wait to try some of these.
Mama Carmody says
Oh, that sounds like a great game to play. I will have to do that one with the little ones in my life.
annabelt says
Thanks! I’m going to try your oval printing activity with my kids tomorrow 🙂
Mama Carmody says
I hope your kids enjoyed the oval craft. We have had a lot of fun with it at our house.
Adrienne Brown says
So many good ideas! I think I will try some of these oval projects with my son.
Mama Carmody says
Please come back and let me know what your son thought of the craft. I hope he enjoyed it as much as we did.
Ashleigh says
Great post, thank you for sharing! Have a great weekend ahead!
Mama Carmody says
Thanks for stopping by and checking it out. I hope you found some things you could enjoy.
Jenn @ mommytime365 says
This is going to be a great activity for my kiddos this summer! Pinning. Thanks for sharing, I just love your posts!
-Jenn
Mama Carmody says
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. I do love sharing activities for the little ones.
randi cornwall says
I love this! What a great list of ways to encourage a deep understanding of the difference of an oval from a circle. Bookmarking for my little girl so we can start this activity soon!
Mama Carmody says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I thought it was a fun way for kids to see how similar a circle and oval are.
TAKISHA says
My toddler and I are working on our shapes now. This is a great activity we can do together. Thanks for sharing!
Mama Carmody says
Please check out my other shape activities too. There are several fun things to do while learning their shapes.
Theresa says
Oval is one of my favorite shapes! I love the art project using empty toilet rolls. My kids love projects like those!
Mama Carmody says
I panicked when I saw that they have started making rolls of toilet paper without the cardboard core. I have so many crafts that I like to do with them.
Thomasina says
I enjoy reading your posts. It is such a great resource for teaching kids.
Mama Carmody says
I hope your kids are finding the activities fun. I love to see kids learning without realizing that’s what’s happening.
Ronda Ogilvie says
Learn through play!! The most wonderful way to teach toddlers!
Mama Carmody says
Personally, I would rather learn through play myself. How about you? I love seeing kids having fun.
Hannah Louisa Nicklin says
This is a great way to inspire kids to think outside of the box (or oval in this case, hehe) when getting creative! Love it!
http://www.missnicklin.co.uk/
Mama Carmody says
I thought it was a fun way to see how closely related the circle and oval are. Thanks for stopping by.
Elaine says
I like the way you incorporate this learning theme through so many different activities. My favorite ovals are Easter eggs 🙂
Mama Carmody says
Easter eggs are definitely fun. When I was teaching we usually got to the oval just about Easter time. We would make a yarn Easter egg. It was messy but the kids loved it.
Jenny says
This looks like a fun craft for the kids. They love painting.
Mama Carmody says
It’s kind of a combination of painting and stamping. I hope your kids enjoy it as much as we did.
Lora/Kids Creative Chaos says
Thanks for linking up to play based learning. I hope you will stop by and add another great idea! http://www.kidscreativechaos.com/2013/02/play-based-learning-linky-full-of.html
kcarmody says
No problem…I really like your sight and will probably be linking to you again in the future.
Nikki Schwartz says
I like the idea of incorporating shapes into everyday activities. There are so many things to identify and play with. I could see that being a good way to take up a theme with a preschooler. 🙂
kcarmody says
I always loved doing these kind of things with my kids. I’m now looking forward to doing them with my grandkids, great-niece and great-nephews.