Shape facts for kids
A shape is what something looks like. In math, a shape is a geometric figure that we can describe using numbers and rules. We can sort shapes by how many dimensions they have.
For example, circles are two-dimensional (2D) shapes. This means they are flat and can fit perfectly on a flat surface, like a piece of paper.
But three-dimensional (3D) objects, like a cube, are not flat. They take up space and cannot fit on a flat surface. There are even ideas about four-dimensional (4D) shapes, but these are harder to imagine!
In geometry, two shapes are considered the same if you can change one into the other by turning it, moving it, making it bigger, or making it smaller. Geometry is a part of math that studies different shapes, their sizes, and their features.
Exploring Flat Shapes (2D)
These are two-dimensional (2D) shapes, also called flat shapes. Their edges are made of straight or curved lines. They can have any number of sides. Flat shapes made only of straight lines are called polygons.
Here are some common 2D shapes:
Discovering Solid Shapes (3D)
These are three-dimensional (3D) shapes. Their surfaces can be flat or curved. These shapes take up space and have depth, not just length and width.
Here are some common 3D shapes:
- sphere (like a ball)
- platonic solids (special shapes with identical flat faces)
- tetrahedron (4 faces)
- cube (6 faces, like a dice)
- octahedron (8 faces)
- dodecahedron (12 faces)
- icosahedron (20 faces)
- cone (like an ice cream cone)
- pyramid (like the Egyptian pyramids)
- hemisphere (half of a sphere)
- cuboid (like a brick)
- cylinder (like a can)
- prism (a shape with two identical ends and flat sides)
Images for kids
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A children's toy called Shape-O made by Tupperware used for learning various shapes.
See also
In Spanish: Forma (figura) para niños
