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Khan Academy Kids Maths

Where is geometry hiding in Khan Academy Kids shape hunts?

Spot circles, squares, triangles and rectangles in stories and rooms.

Quick answer

Geometry is all around us, and Khan Academy Kids helps you find shapes in stories, games, and your everyday world. You can spot circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles in art, buildings, toys, and even in your own home.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to find and name circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles in stories, games, and real-life places. Success signs:
  • You can point out shapes in your home or outside
  • You can name 4 different shapes you see
  • You can draw or describe a shape you found
  • You can play a shape hunt game with a friend or family member

Why this matters

Geometry is the maths of shapes and spaces. Learning to spot shapes helps you understand the world better. Whether you're playing a game, building with blocks, or looking at a picture book, knowing shapes helps you see patterns and solve problems. In Khan Academy Kids, shape hunts teach you to notice how shapes are used in art, stories, and games.

How it works

Finding shapes is like being a detective. You look for things that match a certain shape. Here’s how to do it:
  1. Look carefully at pictures, toys, or your surroundings.
  2. Think about the shape you're looking for.
  3. Count the sides if you're not sure.
  4. Match the shape to what you see.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples from Khan Academy Kids and real life:
  • Circle: A pizza, a clock, or a ball. All have no corners and are round.
  • Square: A tile on the floor, a book cover, or a window. All have 4 equal sides and 4 corners.
  • Triangle: A slice of pizza, a roof, or a traffic sign. All have 3 sides and 3 corners.
  • Rectangle: A door, a phone, or a picture frame. All have 4 sides with 2 long and 2 short sides.
Here’s a table showing how these shapes look in real life: Shapes in Everyday Life
Shape Real-life Example How Many Sides How Many Corners
Circle Pizza, ball, clock 0 0
Square Tile, book, window 4 4
Triangle Pizza slice, roof, sign 3 3
Rectangle Door, phone, frame 4 4

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a Shape Hunt Adventure! Step 1: Pick a room in your house. It could be your bedroom, kitchen, or living room. Step 2: Look around and find 1 circle, 1 square, 1 triangle, and 1 rectangle. Step 3: Draw or write what you found and where you found it. Step 4: Ask a friend or family member to join you and see if they can find the same shapes. Step 5: Try to find 2 more shapes like oval, pentagon, or hexagon if you're ready for a challenge! Step 6: Make a list of all the shapes you found and show it to someone.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking a square and a rectangle are the same. Why it happens: They both have 4 sides and 4 corners, so it’s easy to mix them up. Fix: A square has all sides equal, while a rectangle has 2 long and 2 short sides.
  • Mistake: Calling a triangle a diamond. Why it happens: A diamond shape is actually a square turned sideways. Fix: A triangle always has 3 sides and 3 corners.
  • Mistake: Thinking a circle is a shape with 0 sides. Why it happens: A circle is smooth and round, so it doesn’t look like a shape with sides. Fix: A circle is a shape with no sides and no corners.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Playing shape hunt games together at home or in the car
  • Pointing out shapes in everyday items like plates, windows, and toys
  • Using books or apps like Khan Academy Kids to look for shapes in stories
  • Encouraging your child to draw or name shapes they see
  • Not worrying if they mix up shapes at first – it's normal!
If your child is struggling, try:
  • Using physical shapes like cut-out circles, squares, and triangles
  • Playing with blocks or shape sorting toys
  • Looking at pictures in magazines or books

Practice questions

  1. Which shape has 4 equal sides and 4 corners?
    • Answer: Square
  2. Which shape has 3 sides and 3 corners?
    • Answer: Triangle
  3. Which shape has no sides and no corners?
    • Answer: Circle
  4. Which shape has 4 sides with 2 long and 2 short sides?
    • Answer: Rectangle
  5. Where might you find a circle in your home?
    • Answer: In a clock, a plate, or a ball

FAQ

What are the most common shapes I’ll find in Khan Academy Kids?

The most common shapes are circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles. These are the basic shapes you will see in games and stories.

Can I find shapes in books and stories?

Yes! In Khan Academy Kids, many stories have pictures with shapes. You can look for them as you read.

Are there more shapes than just circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles?

Yes! There are many more shapes like ovals, pentagons, hexagons, and more. But these 4 are the most important to start with.

How can I make a shape hunt more fun?

You can make it a game with points, or challenge a friend to find more shapes than you do. You can also draw the shapes you find!

Why should I learn to spot shapes?

Learning shapes helps you understand the world better, and it’s a fun way to get ready for more maths in school.