Naming 2D Shapes: Free KS1 Maths Colouring and Naming Worksheet

What is on the worksheet

Six clear line drawings of common 2D shapes, set out in a row: a circle, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon and a hexagon. Each shape has a bold, even outline and a number from 1 to 6, so it is easy to colour and easy to talk about (‘What is shape 4?’).

Underneath, there is a word bank of the six shape names to support early readers, a numbered line to write each name, and five short questions with boxes to record how many sides or corners a shape has. Notice that the rectangle stands upright, taller than it is wide — a deliberate nudge, because many children only recognise rectangles lying on their long side.

How to use it at home or in the classroom

Print the worksheet, or open it on a tablet and print from there. First, let your child colour the shapes however they like, which is a relaxed, low-pressure way in. You might suggest a different colour for each shape so they are easy to tell apart.

Then look at the shapes together. Ask your child to find each numbered shape and write its name using the word bank. For the counting questions, put a small dot on each corner as it is counted, so none is missed or counted twice. For younger children, you can read the word bank together and let them match the words. For a class, it works well as a starter activity or as part of a topic on shape and geometry.

What your child will learn

By the end of the activity, your child should be able to recognise and name six common 2D shapes, and begin to describe them by their properties. They will practise counting the sides (the straight edges) and the corners (where two sides meet, sometimes called vertices) of each shape.

Along the way, children notice that a triangle has 3 sides and 3 corners, a square and a rectangle each have 4, a pentagon has 5 and a hexagon has 6, while a circle has no straight sides and no corners. A useful pattern to point out: for every straight-sided shape here, the number of sides and the number of corners is the same. Recognising and describing shapes is one of the first geometry topics in primary school, and a strong foundation for later work on symmetry, angles and 3D shapes.

A note for teachers

This worksheet supports the Key Stage 1 mathematics programme of study for geometry. It works as a quick check of whether pupils can recognise and name common 2D shapes, and, for Year 2, whether they can describe them by their number of sides and corners. It pairs well with a feely bag, shape hunt or sorting activity.

There is no log-in, no watermark and no catch. You are welcome to print copies for your class and to link to this page from your school website or newsletter.

Frequently asked questions