Let’s Sort It Out: A Fun Sorting Game for Preschoolers

This article is part of our weekly series, Executive Function Tips for Families.

A Fun Way for Preschoolers to Improve Executive Function

If you’re looking to challenge your child’s working memory and add some fun to their learning routine, this week’s activity is for you. “Let’s Sort It Out!” is a lively sorting game that keeps young minds engaged as they practice switching between different rules and using memory in a playful setting.

Before We Continue: What is Executive Function?

Executive function (EF) includes three primary skills: working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. These cognitive processes are key to managing tasks, staying focused, remembering instructions, and thinking adaptively. Building these skills in early childhood creates a foundation for academic and life success.

This Activity Builds the Following EF Skills:

Working Memory: Children keep track of changing rules for sorting.
Inhibitory Control: They resist the impulse to apply previous rules, adapting to the new ones instead.
Cognitive Flexibility: Players must switch between different rules depending on the objects being sorted.

What You’ll Need

Time: 20–25 minutes
Space: A large, open space for sorting
Materials:
- At least two different-colored pictures of two different shapes. For the purposes of this article, we will use black and white circles and squares.
- Colored construction paper (black, white, and an additional color)
- Large paper square and circle (for levels 2 and 3)
- Timer (optional)

Ready to Play? Game Levels and Step-by-Step Instructions

Start at Level 1 and progress as your child’s sorting skills advance! Demonstrate each step to help them understand the rules.

Game Level 1 – Color Sorting (Ages 2-3)

Introduce: Explain that you are playing a color-sorting game with black-and-white pictures of circles and squares.
Sort: Lay out a black paper and a white paper, and instruct your child to sort the pictures by placing black pictures on the black paper and white pictures on the white paper.
Switch: Introduce the “silly color game” where they place black pictures on the white paper and white pictures on the black paper for a fun twist!
Reflect: Talk about the experience with questions like, “Was it easy or hard to remember where each color went?”

Game Level 2 – Shape Sorting (Ages 3-4)

Introduce: Transition to sorting by shape. Replace the black and white papers with a large paper circle and a large paper square.
Sort: Hand out the pictures again, instructing your child to sort by shape—circles go on the circle paper, squares on the square paper.
Switch: Now, for the “silly shape game,” instruct them to put circles on the square paper and squares on the circle paper. Reinforce the idea that this is a playful challenge.
Reflect: Ask questions like, “How did you remember which shape goes where?”

Game Level 3 – Combined Color and Shape Sorting (Ages 4-5+)

Introduce: Combine color and shape sorting for a more advanced challenge. Use a large black circle and a white square as sorting mats. Hand out the pictures black and white pictures from level 1.
Sort: Tell your child to listen closely. If you say “color,” they sort by color; if you say “shape,” they sort by shape. Encourage them to switch between rules as you call them out.
Switch: Change the rules dynamically, calling out “color” or “shape” after varying periods of time. Challenge your child to adapt quickly to the changing instructions.
Reflect: Discuss the experience, asking questions like, “Was it hard to remember both color and shape rules at the same time?”

After You Play: Talk & Reflect

After the game, take a moment to chat about the experience. Encourage reflection with open-ended questions:

“How did you feel when the sorting rules changed quickly?”
“How did you remember whether to sort by color or shape?”

Model reflective thinking by acknowledging their responses, reinforcing both their challenges and achievements.

Additional Ideas & Resources

Add more sorting categories: Try sorting by size or pattern.
Create more levels: Introduce different objects or pictures to sort.
Increase the challenge: Speed up rule changes and add more sorting categories.
Start simple for younger kids: Gradually increase complexity to keep things engaging.

With “Let’s Sort It Out!”, your child will have a blast as they practice switching gears and develop their executive function skills!