Shape Guess Who

This is a clever geometric take on a well-known family board game, aiming to encourage and strengthen students’ use of geometric vocabulary, and use this vocabulary to practise problem-solving skills.

Students are required to identify features of familiar 2D and 3D shapes, and recognise that different shapes can share some, but not all, features as others. The game can be played using simple printed materials, or combined with an existing Guess Who set for a more engaging, authentic board game experience.

The Activity

Students take a Game Mat and a set of Shape Cards, and they place their Shape Cards face-up on the spaces indicated on the mats. Place the Mystery Cards face-down in a pile on the table. Each student takes a Mystery Card, not showing their opponent.
Students take turns asking “yes/no” questions, trying to guess their opponent’s shape. For example, “is your shape 2D” or “does your shape have 4 sides?”.
Based on your their opponent’s answer, students turn over the Shape Cards that do not fit the description. For example, if their opponent says “yes” to the question ‘is your shape 3D?”, the student would turn over shapes that are not 2D (cube, cylinder, etc).
Players continue asking questions and turning over Shape Cards until they are ready to confidently guess their opponent’s shape. If they guess correctly, they are the winner!

Number of players:
2

Materials:

Two sets of Shape Cards (printable template below)
An extra set of Shape Cards, printed as Mystery Cards
Two printed Game Mats, with spaces indicated for each card
Optional: Guess Who game board (original cards removed)

Download Shape Cards

Download Game Mat

Familiar Faces

Using a 'real' Guess Who game board makes the game more engaging for students, and less like a lesson.

Enabling prompts

If children are stuck for questions to ask, try these:

Is it a 2D shape?
Does it have more than 4 sides (or edges)?
Are the sides (or edges) all the same length?
Does it have more than one face?
Would it be able to roll?

Extending prompts

Include more complex 3D shapes, like triangular prism and dodecahedron.

Revelance to 21st Century Learning

Communication

In order to play the game, students are required to understand features of 2D and 3D shapes, and use geometric vocabulary to describe them to their opponent.

Collaboration

This game scaffolds the gradual accumulation of students ideas and thinking to narrow down an answer as they each take turns to rule out possibilities. An excellent early primary collaborative thinking activity.

Problem Solving

Students requiring extension can play the game with more complex 3D objects, adding a new level of challenge.

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