Learn the Spanish Numbers, Shapes, and Colors

Encouraging your child to learn Spanish at a young age opens up so many possibilities for them! If you’re not sure where to start with language lessons and activities for your little one, this post is for you.

Check out this great multi-level lesson for your elementary students, filled with vocabulary and activities. Use this lesson on Spanish numbers, shapes, and colors to start your child off on their Spanish journey!

Vocabulary: Spanish Numbers, Shapes, and Colors

Introduce the following vocabulary words little by little. Start with the numbers 1-5, then 6-10, and when they are ready you can include the Spanish numbers up to 20.

Once your son or daughter has mastered the Spanish numbers one through ten (or more!), introduce a new vocabulary section. Presenting the Spanish shapes next would be a great option so they can learn how to count with the shapes (dos estrellas, tres óvalos).

Once they have those two sections down, it’s time for the colors in Spanish. Then, when you feel that they are ready, you can combine all three sections and teach them how to say complete phrases: dos estrellas azules, tres óvalos morados.

Numbers 1-20 

Learn more about numbers in our post How to Use Numbers in Spanish.

Basic Geometric Shapes

Head over to our post on How to Teach Colors to Your Preschooler for more details, free lessons, and free downloadable flashcards on colors and shapes!

Los Colores

Want the ultimate guide on Spanish colors? Check out our Vibrant Guide to Colors in Spanish with Phrases and Practice.

Vocabulary Teaching Tips

• While “one” is uno, it changes to un when it’s placed in front of a noun (aside from un, the other numbers do not change).
  • Example: un rectángulo
• Shapes (and all nouns) that end with a vowel add an -s, while nouns that end with a consonant add en -es.
  • Example: rectángulos, estrellas, corazones
• Color names always come after the shape.
  • Example: rectángulo café, estrella blanca
• Estrella is the only feminine shape, so all the colors that end in -o change to -a when describing estrella (meanwhile colors that don’t end in -o, like café, verde, and azul, stay the same).
  • Example: estrella amarilla, estrella roja, estrella azul
• Shapes (nouns) and colors (adjectives) agree in number, so be sure to add an -s or -es to the colors if the shapes are plural.
  • Example: rectángulos morados, rectángulos azules

These rules are too complicated for such young learners, but you don’t need to sit down and explain all the grammar rules to them. Teach them implicitly through examples and repetition. Use our sample teaching sequence to help guide you!

Sample Step-by-Step Teaching Process

• Present Spanish numbers 1-10
  • Practice counting everyday objects 
• Present shapes
  • Practice identifying shapes
• Combine shapes and numbers
  • Count shapes
  • Introduce the -s and -es endings for more than one shape
  • Practice un and una
• Present colors
  • Practice identifying colors
• Combine colors and shapes
  • Introduce pattern: shape + color
  • Introduce the -o to -a change with estrella
  • Practice identifying shapes and colors together
• Combine colors, shapes, and numbers
  • Introduce pattern: number + shape + color
  • Introduce plural colors
  • Practice the three components together

An Extra Challenge

If your son or daughter has quickly mastered the Spanish numbers, shapes, and colors, you can add a few more words to form complete sentences and ask questions.

• Hay: This word means “there is” or “there are.” Encourage them to add it to the beginning of their phrases to create complete sentences.
  • Hay tres estrellas azules. 
• Encourage Spanish conversation by asking the children the following questions. 
  • ¿Cuántos hay? – How many are there?
  • ¿Qué color es? – What color is it?
  • ¿Qué forma es? – What shape is it?
  • ¿Qué número es? – What number is it?
  • ¿Cuál es tu color favorito? – Which is your favorite color?

Helping your student master the Spanish numbers, shapes, and colors may take several weeks, and that is completely fine! Be patient, include lots of repetition, and make learning fun with the following activities.

Activities with Spanish Numbers, Shapes, and Colors for Elementary Students

Race Sequence: To practice Spanish numbers and let your child burn some energy at the same time, try this number order game. Take pieces of paper and write a Spanish number word on each one. Tape them (lightly) on the wall, out of order. Have your child wait for a starting signal on the other side of the room. Then, excitedly time your child as they run up to the wall and order the words correctly from one to ten. For even more movement, have them race to another wall and correctly stick the words from ten to one. If you have more than one kid learning Spanish numbers, this can be a great competitive or relay game.

Number Matching: To help your student make the connection between the number and written Spanish word, write various numbers down on a piece of paper. Then, write out the full Spanish name for each number on separate pieces of paper (or cardstock or foamy board to make it more fun) and have them match the word to the number and glue them down. 

Color by Number: As your child is just starting to learn the numbers, start with simple color by number sheets that display the numerals and show the colors. As they advance, use worksheets that have the Spanish numbers and colors written out, or even ones that require basic mathematical functions! 

Identify the Shape: This game can be used with anything that your child likes doing, whether it be legos, cooking, dolls, drawing, etc. Sit down and play with them, and ask them what shape certain things are. If your child likes puzzles, try some hands-on geometric puzzles or similar worksheets. If you have the time, you can even cut out shapes and color them with your child, then try forming different objects and animals with those shapes. Remember to use as much Spanish vocabulary as possible!

Scavenger Hunt: For a fun, energetic activity that combines all three vocabulary sections (you can also do this for each one separately), hide different colored shapes around the house. These shapes can be drawn on paper or wooden blocks. Then, ask your child—in Spanish!—to find three red triangles or two white circles. Have them repeat the vocabulary to you when they find the hidden objects. 

In addition to these fun activities, try to include the Spanish numbers, shapes, and colors in your daily conversation as much as possible. If you are in the car, ask your child how many cars they see (in Spanish!). Try counting all the carros rojos together, or asking them what shape the clouds look like. Take every opportunity to put the vocabulary into practice so that it takes on more meaning and value for them, which significantly boosts their memorization of it.

Build Their Fluency!

If you are looking for more ways to build your child’s Spanish fluency, try a free online Spanish class with Homeschool Spanish Academy! Each class is 25 minutes long and is led by an experienced native Spanish speaker. Our teachers will reinforce the vocabulary you are working on with your child, encourage Spanish conversation, and get them speaking the language in no time. Sign up for a class today and see how it works for yourself. ¡Juntos aprendemos más!

Looking for more fun Spanish learning resources for kids? Check out these posts!

• The Ultimate Guide to Nautical and Sailing Vocabulary in Spanish
• A Kid’s Guide to the 4 Seasons in Spanish
• Daily Classroom Routines for Teaching Spanish
• 50+ Time Expressions in Spanish for Better Conversations
• Most Common Mistakes in Spanish Pronunciation
• The Ultimate Guide to All Colors in Spanish
• A Kid’s Guide to Conducting Science Experiments in Spanish
• 25 Romantic Spanish Phrases You Don’t Want To Ignore

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Ashley Reid

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

I have a B.A. in Linguistics and a passion for Spanish. I've lived in Latin America for almost a decade. I'm a freelance writer and ESL teacher, as well as a loving mom and wife. In my free time, I dabble in art and music.

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