Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Build a Shape Robot: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Build a Shape Robot is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children count the sides and corners of 2D shapes, fill in a table, and answer questions about a robot called Bolt. Then they design a robot of their own and give it a name.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children start with a table that lists robot parts, the shape of each part, and its sides and corners. Next come numbered questions about Bolt, with space to write each answer. They count corners on single shapes and on shapes put together, and they name a shape from its number of sides. The last task is a drawing box. Children design their own robot from a given set of shapes and write its name.
- Robot part
- Shape
- Sides
- Corners
- Bolt has 2 triangle legs. How many corners in all?
- Bolt's head and body together. How many corners?
- Which shape has 3 sides? Write its name.
- My robot: use 2 shapes with 4 corners and 1 shape with 3 corners
- My robot's name
Build your own shape robot
Cut and arrange
Cut simple shapes from scrap paper or card and arrange them into a robot on the table. Adults cut the shapes for children who are not yet confident with scissors. Move the pieces around before sticking anything down.
Count before you stick
Before gluing, ask your child to touch each side and then each corner of every shape. Say the numbers aloud together. Stick the robot down only when the counting is done.
Label the robot
Write the shape name beside each part and add a small number for its sides and corners. Children can copy the labels from their table on page 1.
Swap and check
Hide the robot's labels and ask a friend or grown up to count the corners. Then reveal the labels and see whether the counts match.
Why build a robot from shapes?
In Year 1, children learn to recognise and name common 2D shapes. They also start to describe them. A good description uses properties, which means things you can count or see, such as how many straight sides a shape has and how many corners. Counting these carefully is a first step towards the geometry children meet in later years.
A robot gives the counting a purpose. Robots are easy to imagine as a pile of simple shapes: a head, a body, arms and legs. Children can see each part on the page and touch it. When they then design a robot to a set of rules, they use what they know about shapes to make choices, which is more engaging than naming shapes from a list.
Skills and curriculum link
- Counting sides
- Counting corners
- Naming 2D shapes
- Describing shape properties
- Adding corners together
- Designing to a rule
Helpful ideas about shapes
- What a side isA side is a straight edge of a shape. Children can run a finger along one side from one end to the other.
- What a corner isA corner is the point where two sides meet. Children can put a dot on each one so none gets missed.
- Size and turningA shape keeps its name when it is bigger, smaller or turned a different way. Talk about this when children draw their robots.
- Counting in orderTouching each side or corner once, in order, stops children missing one or counting one twice. Start at a marked point and work round.
Key words
- SideA straight edge of a shape.
- CornerThe point where two sides of a shape meet.
- 2D shapeA flat shape that you can draw on paper.
- PropertySomething you can say about a shape, like how many sides it has.
- In allThe whole amount when you put the parts together.
- DesignTo plan and draw your own idea.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Look at the table together. Ask your child to name each shape before counting anything.
- Count the sides and corners together, touching each one with a finger. Then fill in the table.
- Read each question aloud and let your child answer. Ask, "How did you work that out?"
- Let your child design and name their robot. Check against page 2 and come back another day to try again.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Trace round each shape with a finger and put a dot on every corner before counting. Then count the dots out loud. Work on the table first and come back to the questions afterwards. Use real shapes cut from paper if it helps.
To stretch confident children
Add a fourth part to the robot and write how many corners the whole robot has. Then try to design a second robot that has a different total number of corners, and explain to a grown up how you worked it out.
Make it a game
Build a real robot from cut out paper shapes and ask a friend to count its corners. Then swap roles. Score a point for each correct count, and see who can build the robot with the most corners.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child counts one corner twice, or misses one, because they started without a mark.
Try thisPut a dot on the first corner. Then touch each corner in order and stop when you get back to the dot.
Watch forA child counts the corners of only one part when the question asks about several parts together.
Try thisPoint to each part in turn and write its number down. Then put the numbers together to find the number in all.
Watch forA child mixes up sides and corners and gives the same kind of count for both.
Try thisSay the words while touching. Run a finger along a side for "side" and tap the pointed spot for "corner".
Talk about it
- Which shape would you use for a robot's head, and why?
- How do you know where one side stops and the next one starts?
- Can you find a corner on something in the room?
- What did you do to make sure you did not count a corner twice?
- What would you add to make your robot do a job?
- How could you check your answer in a different way?
Take it off the page
Shape hunt
Walk round the house and look for flat shapes on doors, books, windows and plates. Count the sides and corners of each one you find and say its name.
Lolly stick shapes
Use lolly sticks or straws as sides and small balls of modelling clay as corners. Build shapes and count how many sticks and how many clay balls you used.
Robot of the day
Draw a robot from memory using only shapes. Ask someone to guess which shapes you used and count the corners on your picture.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Praise careful counting, not just right answers. Short sessions work best, and you can stop and return later.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with a shape hunt, building toys and everyday talk. Print it again for brothers and sisters or for revision later.
Where this fits in shape learning
Before this sheet, children sort and name everyday objects and begin to spot common flat shapes. They learn to describe what they see with simple words. Handling real shapes and talking about them gives a firm start.
After this sheet, children in Year 2 describe 2D shapes in more detail. They count sides and use the word vertices for corners. They also begin to look at lines of symmetry and sort shapes by their properties.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Build a Shape Robot for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Confident Reception children may enjoy it with an adult, and Year 2 children can use it as a quick recap of sides and corners.
- What will children practise?
Children practise counting the sides and corners of 2D shapes, naming shapes, and adding corners together. They also use what they know about shapes to design a robot of their own.
- Is the answer page included?
Yes. Page 2 is for the grown up and has the answers. It also has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
- What if my child finds it hard?
Try tracing round each shape with a finger and dotting every corner before counting. Work on the table first, use real paper shapes if you can, and come back to the questions another day.
- Is it free, and do I need colour?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. No colour is needed. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, and children can colour their robot with pencils.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 helps with support and stretch.
- Can I use it for home education?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It can be printed again for brothers, sisters or revision a few weeks later.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.