Faces, edges and vertices of 3-D shapes: what children learn
Year 2 pupils learn to describe 3-D shapes by their faces, edges and vertices. A face is a flat or curved surface, an edge is where two faces meet and a vertex is a corner where edges meet.
In this game children match each 3-D shape to its properties, such as 6 square faces, 12 edges and 8 vertices for a cube. Several shapes have similar numbers, so children must know each shape well rather than guess.
This topic covers the Year 2 statutory requirement in the National Curriculum in England (Geometry – properties of shapes): pupils should be taught to “identify and describe the properties of 3-D shapes, including the number of edges, vertices and faces”. Year 2 pupils are usually aged 6–7.
For families following US standards, the closest Common Core standard is 2.G.A.1, which is taught in Grade 2.
How to play
Pick a card on the left, then the card on the right that matches it. Each game has 6 pairs. Wrong matches are counted as mistakes, and you get three stars for a game with no mistakes.
Step by step
- Faces. Count every surface. A cube has 6 faces: top, bottom, front, back, left and right.
- Edges. An edge is a line where two faces meet. Run a finger along each edge to count them. A cube has 12.
- Vertices. A vertex is a corner, where edges meet. A cube has 8: 4 on top and 4 underneath.
- Curved surfaces. A cylinder has 2 flat circle faces and 1 curved surface. In Year 2 we count the curved surface as a face, so a cylinder has 3 faces, 2 edges and no vertices.
Worked examples
Example 1: How many faces, edges and vertices does a square-based pyramid have?
Working: 1 square base and 4 triangles; 4 edges round the base and 4 up to the top; 4 base corners and 1 at the top.
Answer: 5 faces, 8 edges and 5 vertices
Example 2: Which shape has 5 faces, 9 edges and 6 vertices?
Working: Two triangle ends and three rectangle faces.
Answer: triangular prism
Example 3: Which shape has 1 curved face, no edges and no vertices?
Working: Round all over.
Answer: sphere
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Counting only the faces you can see in a picture. Hold a real shape and turn it over, or mark each face with a sticker.
- Mixing up edges and vertices. Edges are lines; vertices are points. Run a finger along an edge and tap a vertex.
- Thinking a cuboid and a cube have different numbers of faces. Both have 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 vertices. The difference is the shape of the faces.
Activities to try at home
- Look at a cereal box and count its faces, edges and vertices together.
- Build 3-D shapes with straws and modelling clay; the clay balls are the vertices.
- Describe a 3-D shape for someone else to guess.
Ideas for the classroom
- Pupils put a sticker on each vertex and a dot on each face of real 3-D shapes.
- Fill in a table of faces, edges and vertices for a set of shapes.
- Play 'Guess my shape' using only properties.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Is a curved surface a face?
In primary school a curved surface is usually counted as a face, which is what this game does. Some secondary textbooks count only flat faces.
What is the plural of vertex?
Vertices. One vertex, two vertices.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Tab to a card, press Enter to pick it, then pick its partner.