3D Shapes
Learn
What are 3D Shapes?
3D shapes are solid shapes that have length, width, AND height. "3D" means three-dimensional. You can hold them in your hand!
Parts of 3D Shapes
3D shapes have special parts:
3D Shape Words
- Face - A flat surface on a 3D shape (like the side of a box)
- Edge - Where two faces meet (like the edge of a box)
- Vertex (Corner) - The point where edges meet
Meet the 3D Shapes!
Sphere
A sphere is shaped like a ball. It is round in every direction! Think of a basketball, a globe, or a marble.
- Faces: 0 (it's curved!)
- Edges: 0
- Vertices: 0
- It can roll in any direction!
Cube
A cube has 6 square faces that are all the same size. Think of dice, ice cubes, or building blocks!
- Faces: 6 (all squares)
- Edges: 12
- Vertices: 8
Rectangular Prism (Box)
A rectangular prism is shaped like a box. Think of a cereal box, a shoe box, or a brick!
- Faces: 6 (rectangles)
- Edges: 12
- Vertices: 8
Cylinder
A cylinder has 2 circle faces and 1 curved surface. Think of a can of soup, a paper towel roll, or a candle!
- Flat faces: 2 (circles)
- Curved surface: 1
- It can roll!
Cone
A cone has 1 circle face and 1 curved surface that comes to a point. Think of an ice cream cone or a party hat!
- Flat faces: 1 (circle)
- Curved surface: 1
- Vertices: 1 (the point at the top)
Examples
Let's identify 3D shapes!
Example 1: A can of soup has 2 circle faces. What 3D shape is it?
Step 1: Does it have 2 circles? Yes!
Step 2: Does it have a curved surface? Yes!
Answer: It is a cylinder!
Example 2: A basketball is round in every direction. What 3D shape is it?
Step 1: Is it round like a ball? Yes!
Step 2: Does it have any flat faces? No!
Answer: It is a sphere!
Example 3: A box of tissues has 6 rectangle faces. What 3D shape is it?
Step 1: Count the faces: 6
Step 2: Are they rectangles? Yes!
Answer: It is a rectangular prism (or box)!
Example 4: An ice cream cone has a circle at one end and a point at the other. What shape is the cone part?
Step 1: Does it have a circle face? Yes!
Step 2: Does it come to a point? Yes!
Answer: It is a cone!
Example 5: What is the difference between a sphere and a circle?
Circle: A 2D shape - it's flat like a drawing
Sphere: A 3D shape - it's solid like a ball you can hold
Answer: A circle is flat (2D) and a sphere is solid (3D).
Practice Problems
Identify these 3D shapes!
1. I have 6 square faces that are all the same. What 3D shape am I?
Show Answer
You are a cube!
2. I am round like a ball. What 3D shape am I?
Show Answer
You are a sphere!
3. A party hat has a circle at the bottom and a point at the top. What shape is it?
Show Answer
It is a cone!
4. How many faces does a cube have?
Show Answer
A cube has 6 faces.
5. What shape is a paper towel roll?
Show Answer
A paper towel roll is a cylinder!
6. Which 3D shapes can roll: cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, or rectangular prism?
Show Answer
Sphere, cylinder, and cone can roll because they have curved surfaces!
7. What shape is a cereal box?
Show Answer
A cereal box is a rectangular prism!
8. Which 3D shape has no faces, no edges, and no vertices?
Show Answer
A sphere has no flat faces, no edges, and no vertices - it's all curved!
9. Name something in your kitchen that is shaped like a cylinder.
Show Answer
Possible answers: a can, a cup, a glass, a rolling pin, a jar
10. How is a cube different from a rectangular prism?
Show Answer
A cube has all equal square faces. A rectangular prism can have rectangle faces of different sizes.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions about 3D shapes!
1. What makes a shape "3D"?
Show Answer
A 3D shape is solid - it has length, width, AND height. You can hold it in your hand!
2. What is the difference between an edge and a face?
Show Answer
A face is a flat surface on a 3D shape. An edge is the line where two faces meet.
3. If you trace around one face of a cube, what 2D shape do you draw?
Show Answer
You would draw a square! Each face of a cube is a square.
4. Go find a 3D shape in your room. What shape did you find?
Show Answer
Answers will vary! You might find a sphere (ball), cylinder (can), rectangular prism (box), cube (block), or cone (party hat).
Next Steps
- Go on a 3D shape hunt around your home
- Sort objects by their shapes
- Go back to 2D Shapes if you need to review flat shapes
- Fantastic job learning about shapes!