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Double Trouble Shapes

August 4, 2009 by Ami 18 Comments

Supplies Needed:  

  • foam shapes (I found a large bucket at Wal-mart for about $5)  
  • tacky glue (I like Aleene’s…her glues are great)
  • Shape Matching Grids printed on cardstock
  • laminator (optional)
  • jewelry bags (optional)
  • gallon sized Ziploc bag

1.  Decide how many grids you want to use. Print and laminate, if desired. (I chose three grids).

2.  You need to choose 4 large shapes and 4 small shapes AND find duplicates of those shapes for EACH grid.  Since I used 3 grids, I needed 48 shapes total. The duplicate shapes should be identical (same size, same color). 

3.  Make your shapes by gluing a small shape on top of a large one. Glue the stacked shape to the TOP of the grid (you need four sets for each grid). Set the duplicate pair aside (do NOT mount the small shape to the large shape on the spare pair).  

4.  This is optional, but I put the dupliate shapes (8 per bag) into small jewelry bags. This made the activity much easier for Simon. I gave him one jewelry bag of shapes and one grid at a time.  Later, when he needs more of a challenge, I will let all the shapes loose in the big ziploc bag.

5.  Put all the items in a gallon size ziploc bag. Use packing tape over the label to secure it to the bag. 

I named this one Double Trouble because it requires some serious discrimination skills. Simon had to first determine which shape was on the bottom then he had to FIND it and place it. He repeated the process for the top shape.  He told me at one point, “Mom, this is too hard.”  But it wasn’t.  At the end he wanted MORE (of course) and was very proud to see that he completed all three grids.

Tomorrow I will share another Preschool Activity Bag- Five Fabulous Frogs!  

Looking for more ideas? You can find all of my Preschool Activity Bag ideas here on the blog, and you can also check out my Pinterest Board.

Preschool Busy Bag Activity Board on Pinterest copy

Filed Under: preschool, preschool activity bags Tagged With: preschool, preschool activity bags, preschool busy bags, shapes, tot school

Comments

  1. Debbie says

    August 4, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    Ami-I love your new blog!!!!!!

  2. Susan says

    August 12, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Thank you so much for the inspiration! I took your great idea and made a simpler version for my toddler:

    http://www.practicingthrift.com/2009/08/toddler-activity-bags.html

    Thank you for sharing your creativity!

  3. Christie says

    September 17, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    Hi! Thank you so much for these ideas!! They are SO fun!! I know my toddler will love them all!

    I actually used this and the Measure It! activity in a local preschool bag swap and will swap with the moms TONIGHT! I am sure they and their preschoolers will LOVE them!

    I plan on posting about them and linking to your blog later this week if that is ok.

  4. Mandi says

    August 18, 2010 at 10:27 am

    your 5 frogs link does not work and I so want to see it!

  5. Laurie says

    February 20, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    love these ideas – and can’t wait to make them for my boys. But, the link for the frogs sends me back to double trouble.

  6. Ami says

    February 22, 2011 at 10:38 am

    Hi Laurie,

    Try this link: http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/?p=309

    🙂 Ami

  7. Preschool Lesson Plans says

    May 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    Hi Ami! We loved this preschool bag and featured it at our site >> http://preschoollessonplans.info/930/double-trouble-foam-shape-matching-exercise/. We were sure to give proper photo/idea credit and a link back to your blog, but we’d love for you to take a look at the feature and if there is a problem, we’ll be certain to take it down immediately!

    Thanks so much!
    Kayla Johnson
    kjohnson@mpmmgmt.com

  8. Lesley says

    November 6, 2011 at 3:07 am

    Hi Ami,

    I love your ideas. I can’t wait to try them with my toddler. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂 x

  9. Cam says

    April 3, 2012 at 12:56 am

    I was wondering if you used the tacky glue mentioned for gluing the foam to the laminated grids? I have been trying to glue the pieces to the laminated grid and they just are not sticking well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!:)

  10. Ami says

    April 3, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    I probably used Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue, but I might have used hot glue. Hope that helps! 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. Foam Shape Puzzles « Shannon's Tot School says:
    March 3, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    […] The Activity Mom blogged about these cute foam shape puzzles and Walking by the Way did a slightly easier version of […]

  2. Idea List for Toddler & Preschooler Activity Bags « Intrepid Murmurings says:
    March 8, 2011 at 12:25 am

    […] Double Trouble shapes – matching combinations of foam shapes […]

  3. Fun workbox ideas! | Confessions of a Homeschooler says:
    July 21, 2011 at 1:09 am

    […] puts the straws in the tiny holes, covers motorskills & counting. A montessori-ish game from here, another great blog with lots of ideas. Basically you glue 2 shapes in each grid. Then provide your […]

  4. Toddler Busy-Bags. « TheBowBlog says:
    August 25, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    […] Megan: Foam Shape Puzzles, and here is another example. […]

  5. Busy Bag Swap ideas, part 4 | I Choose Joy! says:
    May 31, 2012 at 10:06 am

    […] Instructions here […]

  6. Over 20 Toddler Shapes Activities - Moms Have Questions Too says:
    October 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    […] Double Trouble Shapes from Walking by the Way […]

  7. Busy Bag activities on our Montessori Shelves | Simply Natural Mom says:
    January 9, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    […] Foam Shape Matching Grids: Please include 3 grids per bag like in the link posted. http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/?p=298 […]

  8. Over 20 Toddler Shapes Activities – Teach My Toddlers says:
    February 25, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    […] Double Trouble Shapes from Walking by the Way […]

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Meet Ami

Welcome! I’m a big believer in inspiring kids, cultivating curiosity, delight directed learning, living books, field trip adventures, and keeping your sanity while homeschooling. I hope you find something encouraging here today! You can learn a bit more about me here.

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