I use my Cricut for so much more than scrapbooking. One thing I love to do with my Cricut is to make little learning games for my son. So far I’ve made little games to help him learn his shapes and colors.
This would be a lot of work without a Cricut, but can still be done. Here’s what you need:
- construction paper or card stock (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, white, brown, and black)
- clear contact paper (find at Walmart in the drawer liner/wall paper area)
- paper cutter
- scissors
Color Flash Cards
Cut out two rectangles, about the size of a playing card, from each color of card stock. You can write the name of the color on the card or leave it blank. Cover each rectangle with clear contact paper.
Here are some color games to play with your toddler:
- Lay them all out and ask him to find the red ones, for example.
- Give him a set containing one card of each color and you keep the other set. Lay a color on the table and ask him to lay down the same color.
- Hold them up and ask him to name the colors.
- Lay one of each color out on the table. Give him the other set and ask him to lay the matching color cards on top.
Shape Flash Cards
Cut out the following shapes from each of the 9 colors: heart, rectangle, circle, square, triangle, oval, star. You can write the names of the shapes and colors on each or leave them blank. Cover each shape with clear contact paper.
Here are some games you can play with your toddler and these cards:
- Lay the cards out on the floor and ask him to hand you all the shapes of one color.
- Lay the cards out on the floor and ask him to hand you all the same shape, heart, for example.
You can also cut out 2 of each shape and make a shape/color matching game as well.
Both of these little sets are easy to make, especially if you have a Cricut, and they will really help your toddler learn his colors and shapes. My son loves for me to play with him, but he also loves to sort them into piles all by himself. Sorting is a great learning activity for toddlers, and this is a very inexpensive and easy game you can make yourself.
Enjoy!
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If you want to go really cheap and easy you can get the paint color cards at Lowes or Home Depot that are in the shape of Mickey. They are sturdy, the kids recognize them and there is a large assortment of colors. And they are FREE :)
I cut shapes by hand. I stored them in an envelope. On the envelope I traced the shapes so it became a puzzle-like match game too! It’s good for younger children! I would love, LOVE a Cricut!
You might consider a laminator…less than $30 at WalMart or BJ’s…Scotch brand. I like mine a lot!
You are so talented! I would never have thought to do this. Great idea!
I’ve done something similar too, but used my Creative Memories shape makers, then laminated them. It was a bit of work, but fun to make a game for my kids.
Great idea..my kids love when I get out the cricut..they would have a blast helping me make these!
P.S. Do we have a lucky winner for the Homestead giveaway yet? just curious! thanks! Hope you are having a fabulous day!!!
So simple but I love this idea. I think that keeping things simple really is where it is at. The economy these days has affected everyone in some way or another. Our family is simply simplifying!
Thank you for helping us simplify!
This is a great idea for children. I have a Cricut and think I will make a set for my darling grandson. Thanks for sharing.
Karen
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