Find an Image and Trace Its Shapes
Choose a simple image, print or display it, then trace and label its basic shapes to practice observation, drawing, and shape recognition skills.
About this tutorial
Choose a simple image, print or display it, then trace and label its basic shapes to practice observation, drawing, and shape recognition skills.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Pick a simple image you like such as a cat a house or an apple.
- 2
Step 2
Print the image or open it full screen on a tablet or computer.
- 3
Step 3
Place a sheet of tracing paper or plain paper gently over the image so it covers the picture.
- 4
Step 4
Tape the corners of the paper down so it does not slide while you trace.
- 5
Step 5
Use a pencil to trace the big outer shapes first with light lines.
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Step 6
Trace the smaller inner shapes and details with light lines.
- 7
Step 7
Carefully peel the tracing paper off the image and set it aside.
- 8
Step 8
Put a clean blank sheet of paper on the table in front of you.
- 9
Step 9
Look at your traced lines and copy the shapes freehand onto the clean sheet.
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Step 10
Label each basic shape on your drawing with its name like circle triangle rectangle or oval.
- 11
Step 11
Colour each shape a different colour and add any fun decorations you want.
- 12
Step 12
Share a photo of your finished traced and labeled picture on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I guide my child to trace and label shapes from a picture?
Choose a simple image (animal, house, or toy) and print or display it. Start by pointing out large shapes, then place tracing paper over the image or have your child trace directly on a printed copy. Have them outline each basic shape, erase mistakes, and write the shape name next to it. Finish by coloring and talking about similarities—repeat with new images to build observation, drawing, and labeling skills.
What materials do I need to trace shapes from an image?
You’ll need a simple printed image or a tablet with an image, paper for tracing, and pencils or washable markers. Optional items: tracing paper or a thin sheet, crayons or colored pencils for coloring, an eraser, a ruler for straight edges, and tape to hold paper in place. Use child-safe scissors if cutting the image, and keep screens at a comfortable brightness for viewing.
What ages is this tracing and shape-labeling activity suitable for?
This activity is adaptable: toddlers and 3–4 year olds can practice basic outlines with adult help; ages 5–7 can trace and label simple shapes independently while improving fine motor skills; 8+ children can handle more complex images and discuss geometry terms. Tailor complexity to the child’s fine motor development and attention span, and supervise younger kids during tracing and any cutting.
What are the benefits of tracing and labeling shapes from images?
Tracing and labeling builds observation, fine motor control, and early drawing skills while reinforcing shape recognition and vocabulary. It supports pre-writing practice, spatial awareness, and attention to detail. The activity is low-prep and easily adapted for different skill levels, making it useful for boosting confidence and encouraging conversations about shapes, sizes, and how complex images are made from simple parts.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of tracing paper or tape if we don't have them?
If you don't have tracing paper or tape (steps 3–4), use baking/parchment paper or wax paper over the image and hold corners with paperclips or a heavy book, or tape both papers to a window and trace using the tablet or printed image as backlight.
The paper keeps sliding and my lines smudge—how do we fix that?
To stop sliding and smudging while tracing (steps 4–6), firmly tape the corners or weigh them down, use light pencil strokes (HB or lighter), and let the graphite settle before carefully peeling the tracing paper off.
How can we adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger kids, pick very simple large images like a big apple or house, have an adult hold the paper and use chunky crayons for tracing, while older kids can choose more detailed pictures, attempt the freehand copy step (step 8) without tracing, and add labeled shapes as in step 9.
How can we extend or personalize the traced and labeled picture?
After labeling and colouring each shape different colours (steps 9–11), cut out traced shapes to make a collage, add stickers or textured materials for decorations, and then photograph the finished piece to share on DIY.org as instructed.