Overlapping ShapesFree printable worksheets
Aims
- Picking out just the target shape from many overlapping lines (figure-ground perception)
- Seeing a shape as one whole even when its outline is crossed by other lines (visual closure and grouping)
- Telling apart look-alike shapes, such as stars with a different number of points or a heart with a piece missing (visual discrimination)
- Following a line all the way around with the eyes and the pencil (eye-hand coordination)
- Searching the whole page without missing any, and counting (visual attention and scanning)
The page is filled with outline shapes that overlap one another.Your child finds every shape that matches the example (stars, hearts, or moons), traces each one with the colored pencil shown, and writes how many there are.To find a shape among overlapping lines, your child needs to set the other lines aside as "background" and follow only the outline of the target shape.At higher levels there are more kinds and more shapes to find, the overlaps get more complex, and look-alike shapes appear, such as stars with six points or a heart with a piece cut off.The activity aims to build the ability to pick out what matters from a busy picture.
The worksheet prints fine in black and white. The answer page is color-coded, so color printing is recommended for it.
Level 3 example ›
Levels
| Level 1 | One kind of shape, 2 to 4 to find. The shapes are large and overlap only a little. | 5 worksheets |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | One kind of shape, 5 to 7 to find. More overlaps, plus one straight line and one look-alike shape. | 5 worksheets |
| Level 3 | Two kinds of shapes, 5 to 7 in all. Each kind is traced in its own color. Two look-alike shapes. | 5 worksheets |
| Level 4 | Two kinds of shapes, 8 to 10 in all. The shapes are tilted a little, and there are more look-alikes. | 5 worksheets |
| Level 5 | Three kinds of shapes, 10 to 12 in all. The most complex overlaps, with many look-alike shapes. | 5 worksheets |
Tips
- One page at a time is plenty.
- Before starting, have your child trace the example shapes with a finger so it is clear what to look for.
- Trace each shape all the way around before counting it. This helps avoid missing a shape or counting one twice.
- Stars with the wrong number of points and shapes with a piece missing do not count. If your child is unsure, compare with the example together.
- On the answer page, the shapes to find are colored and numbered. Check together how many your child found.
- Write the time it took at the bottom of the page so you can compare next time.
If it is too hard
- Go down one level.
- Give a hint about where a shape is, such as "near the top" or "on the right side."
- Trace the first shape together to show how it works.
- Have your child mark each shape as soon as it is found, then trace it.
If it is too easy
- Go up one level.
- Record the time and see whether your child can find them all a little faster than last time.
Worksheets
Choose a worksheet to open its printing page.
Level 1One kind of shape, 2 to 4 to find. The shapes are large and overlap only a little.
Level 2One kind of shape, 5 to 7 to find. More overlaps, plus one straight line and one look-alike shape.
Level 3Two kinds of shapes, 5 to 7 in all. Each kind is traced in its own color. Two look-alike shapes.
Level 4Two kinds of shapes, 8 to 10 in all. The shapes are tilted a little, and there are more look-alikes.
Level 5Three kinds of shapes, 10 to 12 in all. The most complex overlaps, with many look-alike shapes.
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