Let's explore 3D shapes

Ready to construct some cool 3D shapes? We've included five basic shapes for your child to build and play with as part of their Maths Starter Set in Giggly Maths magazine.

So, pull your shapes out the box and scroll down to learn how to put them together! Watch the video or follow the steps below. We've also given you a few activities to try once you've finished building.

Not picked up your copy of Giggly Maths Magazine yet? It's available now from the Giggly shop! Inside, you'll find tons of ideas, games, and puzzles that follow the maths curriculum – including numbers up to 20, multiplication, odds and evens, money maths, and 3D shapes.

We've included:

• A cube
• A cuboid
• A cylinder
• A cone
• A triangular prism

How to make your 3D cardboard shapes

Step 1

Help your child to carefully fold the edges and the tabs around each shape.

Step 2

Where there are slits, gently push the tabs into these.

Step 3

Use a little sticky tape to hold each shape together.

Once your child can identify the properties of basic shapes, they can begin to apply this understanding to the world around them, and see that maths is everywhere! Look for real-life 3D shapes, like tins and boxes, too.

Now, it's time to learn about the shapes they've built...

Cube

Ask your child to look at their cube, and tell you what shape each face is. Is it a square or a triangle? How many faces does it have?

Cuboid

The faces of the cuboid are rectangles – but are they all the same size?

Cylinder

Ask your child to place the cylinder between their hands. Can they make it roll? How many flat faces does the cylinder have?

Cone

Can your little one tell you which shape the flat face of the cone is? Get them to place the cone on its side and give it a push – does it roll in a straight line?

Triangular prism

Can they count how many faces the prism has? The faces come in two shapes – can they tell you what these are?