Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Whose Peg Is It?: Free Printable Card Set for Ages 2 to 4
- ForAges 2 to 4
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Whose Peg Is It? is a free printable card set for Ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Children draw each shape, cut out the cards, then match each bag to its peg. It is a pairs game that builds early shape skills through play, talk and looking carefully.
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, use page 1 with your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children meet everyday flat shapes in different colours: a red circle, a blue square, a green triangle, a yellow rectangle, a pink oval and a purple diamond. They draw and colour each shape, then cut out the cards. Then they lay the pegs in a row and match each bag to the peg with the same shape. An adult reads the words aloud and talks about each choice.
- Red circle
- Blue square
- Green triangle
- Yellow rectangle
- Pink oval
- Purple diamond
Getting the cards ready
Draw and colour
Let your child draw each shape on its card and colour it in. Draw the shape lightly first if they want something to trace. Naming each shape as you go helps the words stick.
Cut out the cards
Cutting is tricky at this age. Adults can cut out the cards for the youngest children. Older children can have a go with child safe scissors, with you close by to help.
Lay out the pegs
Put the pegs in a row on the table or floor. Leave a little space between them so each one is easy to see.
Match the bags
Hand over one bag at a time. Your child looks at the shape, finds the peg with the same shape and places the bag beside it.
Why shape matching suits ages 2 to 4
Before children can name shapes, they notice that some things look the same and some look different. Matching is where that starts. A child who can say, "This one goes with that one," is already sorting by what they can see. Naming the shapes comes next, and it comes more easily once children have handled and compared them.
Shapes are all around young children. They see them in windows, plates, books, signs and toys. A matching game turns that everyday looking into something deliberate. Colour is a helpful clue at first, but children soon learn that the shape is what counts. Short, playful rounds with lots of talk work much better than testing.
Skills and curriculum link
- Matching shapes
- Naming shapes
- Looking carefully
- Sorting and pairing
- Talking about what they see
Ideas to help with shape talk
- Shapes stay the sameA shape is still the same shape when it is turned round or made bigger or smaller. Try turning a card and asking, "Is it still the same shape?"
- Colour is a clue, not the ruleColours can help children get started. Later, try a card with a different colour but the same shape to show that the shape is what matches.
- Flat and solid are differentThe shapes on the cards are flat. Toys and boxes at home are solid. Point out the flat shape you can see on one face of something solid.
- Shapes are everywhereLook for shapes around the room, in a book or on a walk. Pointing and naming them in daily life helps children remember the words.
Key words
- MatchTo find two things that go together because they are the same.
- ShapeThe outline of something flat, like a circle or a square.
- CircleA round, flat shape, like the top of a cup.
- OvalA flat shape like a stretched circle, a bit like the outline of an egg.
- PairTwo things that go together.
- SameLooking just like something else.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself, as it has the notes and answers.
- Read the words on the sheet aloud. Let your child draw and colour each shape, and say its name as they finish.
- Cut out the cards. Adults can do the cutting for the youngest children.
- Lay the pegs in a row. Give your child one bag at a time and ask them to find its peg. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the answers on page 2. Come back to the game another day, because repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Draw the shapes lightly first for your child to trace over. Play with only three pairs to begin with. Say the name of each shape as you point to it, and let your child copy you. Add more pairs once they feel sure.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to count the sides and corners on each shape and to say which shapes have none. Then ask them to find a shape of their own around the room and draw it on the back of a spare piece of paper.
Make it a game
Turn all the cards face down and play pairs. Take turns to turn over two cards. If the shapes match, keep the pair. If not, turn them back and try again. Say each shape's name out loud every time.
Talk about it
- Can you tell me what shape this is?
- How do you know this bag goes with that peg?
- Which shape is your favourite and why?
- Can you find something in the room with the same shape?
- What is the same about these two cards? What is different?
- Can you draw a shape in the air with your finger?
Take it off the page
Shape hunt
Walk around your home or garden and look for shapes. Point to a window, a plate or a book and say its shape together.
Playdough shapes
Roll out playdough and press in biscuit cutters or make shapes by hand. Name each shape and match them to the cards.
Sorting box
Collect safe, clean household items such as lids, cards and blocks. Sort them into groups by shape and talk about how they look.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Keep it playful and stop while it is still fun. Praise their looking and thinking, not only the right match.
Teachers
Use it as a table activity, a starter or a small group task in the maths area of shape. Adults can pre cut the cards so the focus stays on matching and naming. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider early maths plan. It pairs well with shape hunts, building blocks and picture books. You can print it again for younger or older brothers and sisters.
Where shape learning goes next
Before this sheet, children explore objects by touch, sort them by colour or size and begin to use words like big, small and round. Handling real objects and playing with blocks and toys all feed into shape recognition.
After it, children learn to describe shapes by their sides and corners, to spot shapes in pictures and patterns, and to make their own models and drawings. Later, they meet flat and solid shapes and start to compare them with more care.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Whose Peg Is It? for?
It is written for Ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Younger children may need an adult to do the cutting and to lead the talk, while older ones can play more on their own.
- What will children practise?
Children practise naming and matching common flat shapes in a pairs game. They also practise looking carefully, which is a useful early maths habit.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages. An adult reads the words aloud, children draw and colour the shapes, then cut out the cards. Lay the pegs in a row and match each bag to its peg.
- What if it feels too hard?
Draw the shapes lightly first for your child to trace, and play with only three pairs. Say the shape names together. Add more pairs when your child feels confident.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another group whenever you like.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time. Keep sessions short and stop while it is still fun. You can do the drawing, cutting and matching in separate sittings and come back to it another day.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children add the colour themselves when they draw and colour each shape.
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.