Perimeter of 2D Shapes Themed Activities
Click the button below to get instant access to these premium worksheets for use in the classroom or at a home.
This worksheet can be edited by Premium members using the free Google Slides online software. Click the Edit button above to get started.
Download free sample
Not ready to purchase a subscription yet? Click here to download a FREE sample of this worksheet pack.
Definition
The perimeter of a 2D shape is the total distance around the outside edge of a flat shape. To find the perimeter, add the lengths of all the sides together. Perimeter is measured in linear units, such as centimeters (cm), meters (m), inches (in), or feet (ft).
Learning about the perimeter of 2D shapes helps students understand measurement and geometry in real-world situations. Whether measuring the length of a garden fence, the border of a picture frame, or the edge of a playground, perimeter is used to determine the distance around an object.
Students begin by finding the perimeter of simple shapes such as squares, rectangles, and triangles by counting side lengths or adding given measurements. As they progress, they solve perimeter problems involving irregular polygons and missing side lengths. They also learn to distinguish perimeter (distance around a shape) from area (the space inside a shape), an important concept in elementary mathematics.
By measuring, drawing, and comparing shapes, students strengthen their understanding of addition, multiplication, and geometric reasoning while developing practical problem-solving skills.
The study of the perimeter of 2D shapes aligns with the following U.S. Common Core State Standards (CCSS):
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.D.8 – Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.3 – Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real-world and mathematical problems.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.G.A.1 – Understand that shapes in different categories may share attributes and use those attributes to solve geometric problems, including those involving measurement.
These standards help students develop a strong understanding of geometric measurement and apply perimeter concepts to solve practical, real-world problems.
Perimeter of 2D Shapes Themed Activities
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Perimeter of 2D Shapes across 14 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Common core aligned 3rd Grade Math worksheets.
Each ready to use worksheet collection includes 10 activities and an answer guide. Not teaching common core standards? Don’t worry! All our worksheets are completely editable so can be tailored for your curriculum and target audience.
Resource Examples
Click any of the example images below to view a larger version.
Worksheets Activities Included
- Classroom Borders
- Desk Detective
- Pencil Box Paths
- Playground Shapes
- Bulletin Board Frames
- Notebook Challenge
- School Garden Walk
- Hallway Hunt
- Art Room Designs
- School Map Mission
Frequently Asked Questions
The perimeter is the total distance around the outside of a two-dimensional (2D) shape. To find the perimeter, add the lengths of all the sides together. The answer is measured in units such as centimeters (cm), meters (m), or inches (in).
To find the perimeter, add the lengths of every side. For regular shapes, you can use a shortcut by multiplying one side length by the number of equal sides. For example, the perimeter of a square is 4 × side length, while the perimeter of a rectangle is 2 × (length + width).
Perimeter measures the distance around the outside of a shape, while area measures the amount of space inside the shape. Perimeter is measured in linear units (such as cm or ft), whereas area is measured in square units (such as cm² or ft²).
