Shapes

Shapes are everywhere! A ball is round. A book is flat. A party hat is pointy. In math, we give shapes names so we can talk about them. Some shapes are flat, like a square on paper. Other shapes are solid, like a box you can hold. Learning about shapes helps us understand the world.

Flat Shapes

Flat shapes are called 2D shapes. That means they have length and width. A circle is round and has no corners. A square has four equal sides. A triangle has three sides and three corners. A rectangle has four sides, but two are long and two are short. You can draw these shapes on paper.

Solid Shapes

Solid shapes are called 3D shapes. You can hold them in your hand. A cube is like a dice with six flat sides. A sphere is round like a ball. A cone is pointy on top, like an ice cream cone. A cylinder is shaped like a can of soup. These shapes take up space.

Fun Facts

• A circle has no sides and no corners at all.
• A shape with many sides is called a polygon.
• Bees make honeycombs using shapes called hexagons, which have six sides.

Did You Know?

The word geometry comes from old Greek words that mean 'measuring the earth.' People have studied shapes for thousands of years!