Geometry encompasses more than the proofs you might remember from high school. It is used in essentially all professions. Some examples include architecture, landscaping, computer programming, fashion design, and packaging.
Elementary school is a perfect time to introduce geometry concepts. During the elementary school years, students learn to visualize shapes and how they relate. They also learn informal proofs and reasoning skills. You can even begin in preschool by working on spatial skills. (But don’t neglect spatial skills once your children are past preschool age!)
Listed below are our favorite games and activities for geometry for elementary school.
Geometry Games and Actvities
- Anglegs
- Battleship (Miller Pad and Paper has a wonderful version on paper which is perfect for travel.)
- Blokus
- Building Blocks
- Equilibrio
- Geoboard activities
- Geography walk/map skills
- Graphing activities
- Graphing tools including a t-square, ruler, protractor, and Safe-T compass
- Imaginets
- Kanoodle
- Katamino
- 8 Ways to Use Kinetic Sand for Math
- Measurement activities
- Narration
- Narration helps students build their reasoning skills as they process what they heard or read and communicate that knowledge and the main ideas to another person. It is also an opportunity for students to justify their answers and begin to understand proofs informally.
- Nature Study
- Nature study provides an opportunity to see patterns and shapes in nature.
- Origami
- Pattern blocks
- Make a pyramid kite
- Geometry Practice Problems
- Five Triangles posts geometry problems approximately three times a week. They say the problems are geared for students in grades 6-8 although some problems are probably suitable for slightly younger and older students as well. I would encourage you check these out to add to your math practice. I would encourage you to read their about page so you understand their philosophy before beginning the problems. I agree completely with their stated philosophy and am SO excited to have stumbled upon this website.
- Quadrillion
- Quilting
- RiddleCube
- Shapes
- Shapes Up
- Sloyd
- Spatial skills
- String art
- String figures
- Tangrams
- Tangoes
- Zome Geometry
Find more math manipulative and game suggestions in the math manipulative post series.
This post has been linked to The Massive Guide to Homeschooling Math
