Shape Mats

So I saw this pinned a couple weeks ago and immediately clicked over when I saw the shape mats the kids were using. I figured that there would be some printable shapes for me or a link to where I could find them. Nope. Neither. So I of course had to immediately make my own.

Only it wasn't immediately. Because in order to make my own I had to use the actual computer. And mommy doesn't get much computer time. Unless it is to tear The Little One (the new name for Michelin Man since he isn't so Michelin Man-y anymore) away from it - since his new favorite thing is to climb up on the computer chair and press as many keys as he can - and try to close out whatever he opens. And did I mention he thinks that all computers are touchscreens? Yeah, somebody likes the Kindle.

Where was I? Oh yeah. So eventually when I was given more than two minutes to use the computer by myself I whipped up some colorful shape mats. Then I got to laminate them! I use an exclamation there because I LOVE to laminate things.

When I was finished I excitedly showed them to The Husband, very proud of what I did.  He was watching Battlestar Gallactica at the time so I figured he was ignoring me. I expect him to pause the show and give me his full attention as I explain to him how these mats are going to help our boys get into Harvard...only he doesn't. I go on about how they can use yarn, pipe cleaners, and play-doh to mold around the shapes, and yada yada yada. When he continues to look at the television and doesn't respond I add "And you really don't care do you?"

His response? "I do, I think you did a great job. And since they are laminated you can also trace the shapes with a dry-erase marker."

I hate when he does that.

I've had these done for about a week now but just finally got them out today during The Little One's nap and The Kid loved them. We used the dry-erase markers first on them. He wasn't very confident in his ability to do it at first so I had to trace them all first, but then I finally got him to try it on his own (after helping him do it a couple times) and he continued doing them even after I had to leave the playroom.

These are great for shape recognition and the different colors means you can also turn it into an activity with colors, too.  The mats are also helpful for strengthening fine motor skills as kids have to manipulate different objects to form the shapes.

In case you are interested in making a set of these for your own kids, I have uploaded my printables for you. Just click the picture to get started.