Wooden blocks are one of the most versatile toys around, to be used in open ended play or in tonnes of directed learning activities. We’ve previously gathered up more than 18 ways to play with wooden blocks, and today I’m sharing another super simple idea – exploring symmetry with wooden blocks.
For this activity we used a variety of blocks from our playroom, including coloured and natural blocks. I like the natural blocks for this activity because it encourages a focus on the shape of each block, but coloured do work well too.
The shaped set in the top picture is a wooden city blocks set similar to these although we bought it in Regents Park mosque shop for slightly cheaper. The wooden men are flockmen which we have recently been playing around with (you might have spotted them on our Instagram account) and I thought they would be interesting to include in this activity too – they’re great for exploring balance as well as symmetry.
While playing with the blocks, I reminded the kids about the concept of symmetry and we began naturally exploring it in the block play – making structures and discussing whether each one is symmetrical or un-symmetrical, and what changes we could make to each one to change that.
The boys mostly made lots of smaller symmetrical structures, rather than focusing on making one large one. The easiest way for them to remember what symmetrical means is that, if it’s symmetrical then you can draw a line right down the middle and each side will be the same. You could also include a play mirror along with the blocks to help explore this concept further.
To extend the activity, you could also offer paper and have the kids draw pictures of their structures to help them see the symmetry in their drawings too.
After playing with the blocks, my boys made up an active “symmetry” game which I’ll share another day!
More Learning with Blocks
- Building Block STEM Challenge Cards from Life Over C’s
- Fractions with KORXX Blocks from Still Playing School
- Building Block Maze Activity from Mom Inspired Life
- Free Printable: Block Scavenger Hunt for Letter Recognition from Play Dough and Popsicles
- Fine Motor Development with Blocks from Sugar Aunts
- Building Tens Castles (Preschool/Kindergarten Math) from Preschool Powol Packets
- Word Family BINGO! from School Time Snippets
- Building Block Addition Towers from The Kindergarten Connection
- Superhero Alphabet Matching Activity with Blocks from Stir The Wonder
- Storytelling with Wooden Blocks: Three Little Pigs from Adventures of Adam
- Sight Word ABCs with Blocks from Simple Fun for Kids
- Letter Sound Scavenger Hunt from Raising Little Superheroes
- Building CVC words with Blocks from Teach me Mommy
- Making Patterns with Building Blocks from Play & Learn Everyday
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Those wooden people blocks are too cool! Love this simple way to explore symmetry!
What a fun activity
Those wooden blocks are simply amazing. Need to get my hands on those people blocks! Love the different possibilities with this activity.
I love all the different blocks you’ve got
absolutely love this, I have OCD so to me it’s a dream!