Free Printable Colorful Stars I Spy Game

This free printable colorful stars I spy printable for kids is a perfect way to work on a variety of skills!

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Many hyperlexic learners have a passion or special interest for colors and shapes, especially as toddlers and preschoolers.

So, this free printable colorful stars I spy game leans into that love for colors and specifically one shape: stars! Simply count up the stars for each color and see how many there are.

By the way, since I live in Canada where we use colour versus color (although I tend to use the American spelling on this blog for simplicity), you will find two copies of this game included below, one with the American English spelling and one with the British English spelling. That way you can print the one that best suits your needs and spelling variant.

I Spy Games are Versatile!

I spy games are tons of fun and great for kids of all ages. You can use them with toddlers or preschoolers or even preteens and teens. I know that lots of people have even used my I spy games with elderly people and those with dementia.

What I love about I spy games is how versatile they are, even beyond appealing to various age groups. There are lots of different ways to use them (there's a section below with some ideas) and they can also be used in different settings.

For example, I spy games are perfect to use as a quick boredom buster activity at home when the kids are saying, "I'm bored!" Or to keep kids busy while you're cooking supper.

They can also be used in the classroom as part of a learning center or included in a specific lesson or unit. You could also use them as filler activities for those kids who finish their classwork quickly.

You could also print off a bunch of the I spy games, package them up into a binder, and create a busy book for road trips or plane rides. You could even laminate them first (here's the laminator I use and love) or put them into sheet protectors and use a dry erase marker so that the book could be reused over and over.

I spy games are also a great activity to use in speech or occupational therapy since they can be used to target a variety of skills, which we'll touch on in the next section.

The Benefits of I Spy Games for Kids

There are lots of benefits to playing I spy games like this colorful star themed one.

For instance, they're great for developing visual tracking skills and improving visual discrimination. After all, these printable games require kids to visually scan through the objects, compare and contrast them, and find all the ones that are the same.

Then there's obviously the math benefits. I spy games are a great way to practice and develop math skills such as sorting, counting, comparing, etc.

You can also work on fine motor skills using I spy games. You might cross off items, cover them in play dough, or use tongs to place pom poms to cover the items (see the next section for other ideas for how to use I spy games).

Furthermore, you could work on handwriting skills with I spy games. After all, there is an answer sheet to record your answers and kids can practice writing numbers or drawing tally marks.

Playing I spy games with your kids is also a great way to work on speech and language skills. You could target articulation and vocabulary for instance. All of my I spy games include written words to accompany the images to aid in comprehension, especially for hyperlexic learners.

I spy games can also be a great way to work on executive functioning related skills and working memory.

See, lots of benefits! Now, let's take a look at some different ways to use this I spy game.

How to Use this I Spy Game

The most obvious way to use this I spy game is to simply print and play (you'll be able to download your copy below). Just grab a pencil, start counting, and record the number of items you found on the answer key (write the number or use tally marks, if you'd prefer). 

Maybe you also want to cross off or circle items on the game sheet with a pencil as you find them.

Another option would be to use bingo dabbers or dot markers. You could also use pom poms or counters to cover the items as you count. You could even pair pom poms with tongs or tweezers to target different fine motor skills.

You could also laminate the I spy game first to make them reusable. Simply use dry erase markers to cross off the items as you find them and fill in the answer key. 

You could also use play dough instead of dry erase markers to cover the items on the laminated game sheet. That way you add an additional sensory component.

Finally, you can go digital by playing this I spy game right on the computer or tablet. You can also pull it up during a Zoom meeting, teletherapy session, or similar using the screenshare function. Then use the annotate tool to cross off the items.

Download the Free Printable Colorful Stars I Spy Game

This colorful stars I spy game has six pages: two game sheets (different spellings for colorful/colourful), two pages to record the answers (different spellings for colorful/colourful and gray/grey), and two answer keys (different spellings for grey/gray). Feel free to print off the page that makes sense for your regional spelling of colorful/colourful. Both the answer sheet and answer key include the image as well as written words to describe the object.

To get a copy of this I spy game, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Want More I Spy Games?

You'll find even more themes in the I spy games bundle!

Click here to get your copy of the I spy games bundle

Free Shape Word Scramble Printable for Kids

This free printable shape word scramble game is perfect for kids of all ages.

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You probably know that letters and numbers are common interests for hyperlexic kids. 

But did you know that shapes are also a common interest among these kids?

Yep, some hyperlexic kids have a special interest in shapes. They love learning about all different types of shapes, including some of the more complex and lesser known shapes. 

So this free shape word scramble game is a perfect blend of their interest in letters and their interest in shapes.

Why Word Scramble Games are Good for Kids

Word scramble games are a great way for kids to work on vocabulary, spelling, language skills, working memory, problem-solving skills, writing, and so much more! There's a wide range of skills you could target here. Just get creative.

You can use free printable word scramble games like this one at home, in the classroom, or even on the road. Or you could use them in Zoom meetings for online learning (tips on how to do so here). They'd even make a great rainy day activity too!

Also, if you've been looking for other ideas on how to use your hyperlexic child's interests in letters, then word scramble games are a great fit. They definitely build off of a hyperlexic child's interest in letters. I mean the game is literally just a bunch of letters. Besides, using your hyperlexic child's interest to teach new skills is definitely something you should be doing - and something you'll hear me say a lot around here!

So anyway, if you're looking for a quick math themed activity for kids, then give this shape word scramble worksheet a try. It would be great to pair with this shapes I spy game or shape pop its I spy game.

Download the Shape Word Scramble Printable

This printable is three pages total. Two versions of the word scramble game are included (one with a word bank and one without the word list). Each game contains 20 different 2D and 2D shape words. An answer key is also included.

To get your copy of the shape word scramble, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Shape Building Challenge on the Light Table

With colder winter temperatures comes more indoor play, which inevitably means more light table activities in our house. 

Six year old J, in particular, has been showing a renewed interest in playing on the DIY light table. In fact, as soon as we get home from school, he runs downstairs to the playroom to do some light play. It's his way of calming down after a busy day at school. I've always said that light table play is calming for kids.

Lately, J really enjoys exploring and playing with the translucent cocktail stirrers on the light table. I've occasionally found him chewing on them too, but that's a whole other issue. Usually, like 90% of the time, he manipulates the stirrers to create numbers and other math related things, which is why we recently did this shape building light table activity together.

This post contains affiliate links.

Shape Building Light Table Activity for Kids

For this shape building light table challenge, we used:

• Magformers
• Translucent cocktail stirrers from the dollar store (similar to these)

Simply create a shape using the Magformers on the light table and encourage your kids to recreate them using the same colors (if possible). Or have the kids create their own shapes and recreate them as well. So for instance, my boys created blue squares to match the blue square Magformers.

You can also combine different Magformers to create more complex shapes like houses or triangle patterns.

The kids can also explore color mixing with the cocktail stirrers, especially if they are trying to match the stirrers' colors to the Magformers. My boys layered two cocktail stirrers to create purple and orange to match the Magformers, for example.

Then be sure to keep experimenting with more elaborate and complex shapes as you please. The possibilities are endless!

Other Ideas You'll Love

Roman Numerals on the Light Table

Fine Motor Light Table Activity

Tally Marks Math on the Light Table

Tic Tac Toe on the Light Table

Invitation to Play: Magna-Tiles & a Magna-Doodle

If you are familiar with my blog at all, then you already know that we are huge fans of Magna-Tiles. Well, my oldest J also loves playing with his Magna-Doodle, which he got for Christmas. He has used it so much that I already had to tape the string back to the pen. One day I noticed him combining the two toys. It was a brilliant way to explore shapes, math, letters, and, of course his favorite topic lately, fractions. Simple math learning at its finest as created by my hypernumerate five year old.

This no-prep activity for kids using Magna-Tiles is a great way to explore mathematical concepts, fine motor skills, prewriting, and more!

This post contains affiliate links. A big thank you to Valtech for providing us with the Magna-Tiles 100 piece solid colors set.

Simple Math & Prewriting Boredom Buster for Kids

For this math and prewriting invitation to play, we used:

• Magna-Tiles 100 piece set of solid colors
• Magna-Doodle

First, the boys created shapes by "stamping" the different shapes of Magna-Tiles on the Magna-Doodle. Then the boys would trace the shape's outline using the Magna-Doodle's pen.

The boys also stamped the side of the Magna-Tiles to create numbers and letters to trace.

Then J started doing fractions. He started by stamping four of the small squares, but quickly realized that he could stamp a large square Magna-Tile and fit four small squares inside.

Then he moved to stamping triangles inside the large square's outline. He, of course, wrote the numbers for each fraction as he went along.

Other Ideas You'll Love

Cars & a Magna-Doodle

Learning Multiplication with Magna-Tiles

7 Reasons Why Magna-Tiles are a Must Own Toy!

Gift Ideas for Kids who Love to Doodle, Write, & Draw

Felt School Bus Activity for Kids

A simple felt school bus activity for kids to practice shapes and counting. It makes a great back to school activity.

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It's hard to believe that it's already back to school season. And it's even harder to believe that my oldest, J, will be off to kindergarten this fall!

So, to get into the back to school spirit, I put together this simple felt school bus activity that works on different math skills, such as shapes, one-to-one correspondence, and counting. Not that he needs any extra practice in math at the moment - thanks to his hypernumeracy, he's miles ahead in math and numbers!

But this little school bus activity was a lot of fun and makes for a great busy bag to take on the go.

A version of this post originally appeared on the CBC Parents website.

What You'll Need for this Felt School Bus Activity

To make your own version of this felt shape activity, you'll need:

• Felt in yellow, red, gray, black, and white

• Scissors - To cut the felt

• 6 sided die - You'll need it to play the counting/math game.

First, you will need to cut the felt to make the shape bus. I primarily used felt scraps to make our felt shape bus since I have a lot on hand from making quiet books. Regardless of using scraps or new sheets of felt, you will need to cut the following pieces out of felt:

• 1 x square out of yellow felt (will become the front end of the school bus)

• 1 x large rectangle out of yellow felt (will become the body of the school bus)

• 2 x circles out of black felt (will become the tires)

• 2 x slightly smaller circles out of white felt (will become the hub cabs for the tires)

• 1 x octagon out of red felt (will become the stop sign for the school bus)

• 6 x small squares out of gray felt (will become the windows for the school bus)

When you are done cutting the felt, you should have the following pieces:

Making a Felt School Bus with Shapes!

At first, my boys took turns building the school bus using the felt shapes, adding the stop sign, wheels, and windows.

Here is what the shape bus looks like when fully assembled:

A fun extension, at this point, would involve singing the song "The Wheels on the Bus" while your child builds the school bus. Or, you can turn the bus into a simple math game like we did.

A Simple Math Game to Play with this Felt Shape Bus

Remember how we cut out six windows for the felt bus? Well, we used those as part of a dice rolling counting game!

To play, you will need to assemble the bus with everything except the windows. Then you simply roll the die, count out the corresponding number of windows, and add the windows to the bus. For instance, if you roll a three, then you add three windows, like so.

Or, if you roll a one, then you add only one window, which looks a bit silly, doesn't it?

And that's it! When you're done playing with this school bus activity, simply store the materials in a zipper seal bag to turn it into a busy bag, ready to take on the go. Or, you could turn it into a quiet book page.

This felt school bus activity was a great way to work on counting, one-to-one correspondence, shapes, fine motor skills, and even colors.

Preschool Symmetry Activity: Wooden Shapes in a Mirror Box

Looking for some preschool math inspiration? Try this simple preschool symmetry activity using wooden shapes and a homemade mirror box.

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Our homemade mirror box is such a fun thing to play and explore with. My boys really love to watch how materials transform in the box, no matter what objects we put inside. It's seriously one of the best accessories to have for any kind of loose parts play. And it makes for the best symmetry activities!

The mirror box is also a great way to explore simple math skills such as symmetry, shapes, and counting, as you'll see. It's also just really really cool.

I recently purchased some colored wooden shapes at the dollar store. They're similar to these wood shapes, but obviously colored, not plain. They are so vibrant that I just had to pair them with the mirror box and let the kids explore. That's how this preschool symmetry activity came to life!

So grab some wooden shapes, quickly whip up a mirror box, and give this fun math idea a try. Your kids are going to love it!

What You'll Need for this Preschool Symmetry Activity

This math activity is a really simple way for toddlers and preschoolers to explore symmetry with shapes, whether at home or in the classroom. Here's what you'll need to recreate this activity at home:

• Colored wooden shapes - I found these shapes at Dollarama, our local dollar store. They are similar to these wood shapes, but obviously dyed in bright primary colors. You could substitute foam shapes or pattern blocks instead. Feel free to use anything else that might be similar.

• Homemade mirror box - It's perfect for symmetry activities! You can find details on how I made our mirror box here.

Once I gathered all the materials, I placed a few shapes inside the mirror box as a way to invite or entice my boys to explore symmetry. As soon as they saw the reflections in the mirror box, they were intrigued, especially my oldest son, and quickly went to work.

Simple Toddler & Preschool Math Activity for Exploring Symmetry

This symmetry activity is so inviting! And it's not just for kids either. I mean I loved playing with this myself, creating many stunning symmetry pictures in the mirrors.

The colored wooden shapes take on a life of their own in the mirror box and look absolutely lovely. Seriously, look at how cool the wooden shapes look in the mirror box. It's basically symmetry art!

J, my oldest, loved to place one shape in the box and then count how many shapes would then appear in all the mirrors. That's hypernumeracy at its finest! He would repeat this over and over. Place a shape. Count. Place a shape. Count. Over and over. What can I say? The kid loves to count!

My youngest son K, on the other hand, didn't participate too much in the actual constructing part of this symmetry activity. Instead, he preferred to observe. From time to time, he would hand J a shape or two to put in the mirror. You can see his arms as leans over J. He also enjoyed emptying the contents of the mirror box each time, which is such a toddler thing to do, hey?

This math activity kept the boys busy for quite some time. Most math activities do around here. But if you're looking for preschool symmetry activity in particular, then definitely give this idea a try!

More Symmetry Ideas for Kids You'll Love

Cotton Swab Snowflake Symmetry Activity for Kids

Great Preschool Symmetry Activity Using Magnetic Tiles

Building 3D Shapes on Windows

I'm fairly confident in saying that Magna-Tiles are now the most loved toy in our house (here's 7 reasons why we love them). They have been played with nonstop since I purchased them. They are particularly awesome for building 3D structures, such as our tin can rockets. However, the boys usually build with the Magna-Tiles on a horizontal surface.  So I gathered some supplied to encourage some shape building on a vertical surface, which was also a great way to take advantage of the beautiful natural light in our sunroom.

This post contains affiliate links.

Playing with Magna-Tiles on a Vertical Surface

What we used to make 3D shapes on windows:

• Magna-Tiles
• Clear contact paper
• Tape
• A large window

I taped the contact paper, sticky side out, to the window using some regular tape. Then it was building time!

At first, the boys assembled stain glass type windows by building flat designs.

Then two year old K started doing some exploring. Soon enough he was building a 3D triangle all on his own. And then he made a cube.

J took notice of K's 3D shape building and decided to give it a try too. Once his cube was built, he started designing a beautiful pattern around it.

It was such a fun experience for the boys to build on a vertical surface. They found it to be a bit more challenging to construct the 3D shapes as they had to hold pieces steady with their one hand while assembling with the other. Besides, it made some for some pretty window art.

Other Ideas You'll Love

Magna-Tiles Activities for Kids

Abstract Window Art

10 Ways to Play & Learn with Magna-Tiles

Be sure to check out what the rest of the lovely ladies from the Light & Reflections series were busy building and constructing:

Simple Preschool Math on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom

Fairy Land: Building with Recycled Materials on the Light Table from Still Playing School

Exploring Symmetry: Building with Rainbow Blocks on a Mirror from Where Imagination Grows

You can also follow this series on the Light & Reflections Series board on Pinterest. Then join us next month when we explore motor skills using light and reflections.

Recreating Shapes on the Light Table

The boys have access to a wide variety of board games at all times in our house and one of their favorites to play and explore with is Blokus Trigon.  Since the pieces are transparent, they work amazing on our DIY light table.  However, most of the time the boys play with the pieces on the floor or game board, creating patterns.  

Simple Shape Building Light Table Activity for Kids

This post contains affiliate links.

Well, one day the boys were building with Magna-Tiles while the Blokus pieces were scattered along the floor.  That's when I noticed that we could use the Magna-Tiles to build and recreate the game pieces from Blokus on the light table.  Of course, the light table is optional, but it just makes everything look better.

We used the triangle Magna-Tiles and some pieces from Blokus Trigon, but as I found out on Amazon, it may be hard to find this version of Blokus.  However, you could easily do this activity using the regular Blokus game and square Magna-Tiles instead.

Both boys loved this activity!  J mastered all sorts of shapes, including some of the more complex shapes.

K only focused on one shape, over and over: the hexagon.

And when he was done, K held it up to show it off.

J thought it was a cool idea to pick up the shapes once they were made, so he also made a hexagon to show off.  Ta-da!

If you do not have Magna-Tiles yet, then I really urge you to try them out.  My boys have not stopped playing with them since the day that I purchased them. 

Other Ideas You'll Love

Translucent City & Car Play on the Light Table

Exploring Symmetry with Magna-Tiles

Building Rockets with Tin Cans & Magna-Tiles

Magna-Tiles Activities for Kids