3D shapes card game fun that makes geometry engaging and hands-on! This 3D Shapes Slap It! card game is a fast-paced math game that helps students identify 3D shapes, match real-world objects and build geometry vocabulary through interactive play.

Whether you are introducing solid figures, reviewing for a test or just adding some hands-on fun to your math centers, this card game is a teacher favorite for a reason. With visual cards, shape names, real-life objects and shape descriptions, review time becomes an exciting small group or partner activity. Students look for matches between a cube and a block, a cone and a traffic cone or a sphere and a globe, then race to slap the pile.

With this 3D shapes card game, you get

• A fast-paced Slap It! game for 3D shape practice
• 6 card formats: color shape pictures, black-line drawings, shape names, two real-life object sets and property cards
• 8 solid shapes, from cones and spheres to prisms and pyramids
• CENTER and PLAYING deck options so you can mix, match and differentiate
• Printable directions with differentiation tips

Print, cut and let the slapping begin!

What's Included

• 8 solid shapes: cone, sphere, cube, cylinder, triangular prism, square-based pyramid, rectangular prism and triangular-based pyramid
• Color 3D shape picture cards
• Black-line shape drawing cards
• Shape name word cards
• Two sets of real-life object picture cards featuring everyday items that match the 3D shapes
• Shape property and description cards with clear, child-friendly descriptions of each shape
• Alternate-wording cards that use the terms cuboid and tetrahedron
• Printable instructions with easy-to-follow directions and differentiation tips
• Multiple formatting options for CENTER and PLAYING decks so you can mix, match and differentiate with ease

The game can be played with 2-4 players.

Why Teachers Love It

• Fast-paced review: Students have to look closely and react quickly, so 3D shape review never drags.
• Real-world connections: Real-life object cards help students see solid shapes in everyday items.
• Vocabulary in context: Matching a shape name, picture and definition builds math vocabulary.
• Easy to adjust: Choose which card types to use and which deck goes in the center.
• Great for centers: Once the cards are cut, the game is ready for partner play and small groups all year.
• No tech needed: A simple deck of cards works for sub plans and review stations.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• 3D shape identification: Students match vocabulary words to real-world objects and diagrams.
• Vocabulary development: Matching the shape name, description and image builds math and academic vocabulary.
• Shape attributes: Definition cards help children think about properties of 3D shapes such as faces, edges and vertices (corners).
• Reading comprehension: Students use shape descriptions to decide which picture or word card matches.
• Visual discrimination: Students quickly spot similarities and differences between shapes.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Taking turns
• Maintaining attention
• Following directions
• Using mathematical language
• Waiting during group play
• Building confidence during group participation

How to Use It

Step 1: Print and cut apart the cards. Choose one card format for the CENTER deck. Place the CENTER cards face down in a pile and deal the PLAYING cards evenly to each player, face down.

Step 2: Flip over the top CENTER card. In clockwise order, each player flips a PLAYING card onto the pile.

Step 3: When a match appears, players race to slap the card. The first player to slap it collects the pile of PLAYING cards. Play continues with a new CENTER card until time runs out or one player has all the cards.

Easy Differentiation

Every class has students at different places with 3D shapes. These variations make the game work for learners at every level.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Use 2 card types only, starting with the shape name and image
• Use the matching sets for a slower-paced matching game or Go Fish
• Play with fewer shapes at a time
• Print one version of the image cards on a different background to tell the CENTER and PLAYING decks apart

For On-Level Practice

• Add the real-life object cards to the shape name and image cards
• Choose the format that is hardest for your students as the CENTER deck
• Have students name each shape as they slap it
• Play with partners in math centers

For an Extra Challenge

• Use the definition cards as the CENTER pile for reading and comprehension practice
• Play with all six card formats at once
• Ask the player who slaps to explain how the cards match
• Talk about faces, edges and vertices for each matched shape

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Use the name and picture cards to practice shape vocabulary
• Have students point to or touch the match if slapping is hard
• Play the slower-paced matching game version
• Use a short language frame such as "That is a ___."
• Give extra processing time before each card is flipped

Perfect For

• Math centers and partner games
• Whole-class geometry review stations
• RTI or targeted small group support
• ESL/ELL vocabulary reinforcement
• Morning tubs and early finishers
• Homeschool geometry review
• Sub plans that require no prep and zero tech

Standards

This 3D shapes card game supports the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, plus kindergarten through 2nd grade geometry standards in Common Core and the TEKS (Math, adopted 2012):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS K.G.A.1: Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, as on the real-life object cards.
• CCSS K.G.A.2: Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size.
• CCSS K.G.A.3: Identify shapes as two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
• CCSS K.G.B.4: Compare 3D shapes using informal language to describe their parts and other attributes.
• CCSS 1.G.A.1: Tell defining attributes apart from attributes such as color or size.
• CCSS 2.G.A.1: Recognize shapes with specified attributes, such as a given number of equal faces on a cube.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.C.1: Name common shapes, including at least one solid 3D shape such as a sphere or cube.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS Math K.6.B: Identify three-dimensional solids, including cylinders, cones, spheres and cubes, in the real world.
• TEKS Math K.6.E: Classify and sort two- and three-dimensional figures regardless of orientation or size.
• TEKS Math 1.6.E: Identify spheres, cones, cylinders, rectangular prisms (including cubes) and triangular prisms and describe their attributes using formal geometric language.

Check out what other educators are saying:

★★★★★ Jody B. wrote, “Engaging way to help students learn about shapes.”

★★★★★ Samantha B. wrote, “My students love playing games! Fun game to play where students must use their learning of 3D shapes to win the game. It helps to reinforce skills and have fun at the same time!”

Add the 3D Solid Shapes Slap It Card Game to your cart and bring vocabulary, geometry and fun together. Print, play and watch your students light up as they build foundational math skills through hands-on learning!

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

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2. In your email
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