The Shape Game

While he was Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne introduced the Shape Game: a fun way to encourage children to be creative and use their imaginations.

The rules are simple...

Why play the Shape Game?

'Although on one level it’s just a game, I believe that it encapsulates the act of creation… everything comes from something else, inspiration is everywhere...' Anthony Browne

Anthony Browne's Shape Game is a fun activity that children enjoy, but it can also be a valuable creative tool for the classroom. Imaginative drawing games like this one help children to experiment and play, express their ideas visually and develop creative thinking skills.

Ideas for teachers

'There is a terrible pressure on children to leave pictures behind and grow into words, as though this is an essential part of education and maturity. I strongly believe that the ability to read images is as equally important as the ability to read words.' Anthony Browne

Download activity sheets and resources for using the Shape Game in the classroom: 

Shape Game inspiration

During his Laureateship, Anthony Browne brought together 45 writers, artists, illustrators and celebrities to play the Shape Game: transforming a shape he had drawn for a special charity project. Walker Books then went on to publish these artworks in Play the Shape Game, a book aiming to encourage all children to join in.

See the Shape Game in action

Here's the shape we gave to celebrities and well-known authors
Here's what Philip Pullman drew with the shape
Here's what Emma Thompson drew with the shape
Here's what Michael Morpurgo drew with the shape
Here's what Harry Hill drew with the shape
Here's what Imelda Staunton drew with the shape
Here's what Jacqueline Wilson drew with the shape
Here's what Jo Brand drew with the shape
Here's what Shirley Hughes drew with the shape
Here's what Meera Syal drew with the shape
Here's what Quentin Blake drew with the shape
Here's what Michael Rosen drew with the shape
Here's what Derek Jacobi drew with the shape
Here's what Anthony Horowitz drew with the shape
Here's what Andrew Motion drew with the shape
Here's what Ian McEwan drew with the shape
Here's what Anne Fine drew with the shape
Here's what Tracy Chevalier drew with the shape
Here's what Michael Foreman drew with the shape
Here's what Axel Scheffler drew with the shape
Here's what Emily Gravett drew with the shape
Here's what Patrick Ness drew with the shape
Here's what Anthony Browne drew with the shape
Shape from the Shape Game

Image 1 of 23

Here's what Philip Pullman drew with the shape

Image 2 of 23

Here's what Emma Thompson drew with the shape

Image 3 of 23

Here's what Michael Morpurgo drew with the shape

Image 4 of 23

Here's what Harry Hill drew with the shape

Image 5 of 23

Here's what Imelda Staunton drew with the shape

Image 6 of 23

Here's what Jacqueline Wilson drew with the shape

Image 7 of 23

Here's what Jo Brand drew with the shape

Image 8 of 23

Here's what Shirley Hughes drew with the shape

Image 9 of 23

Here's what Meera Syal drew with the shape

Image 10 of 23

Here's what Quentin Blake drew with the shape

Image 11 of 23

Here's what Michael Rosen drew with the shape

Image 12 of 23

Here's what Derek Jacobi drew with the shape

Image 13 of 23

Here's what Anthony Horowitz drew with the shape

Image 14 of 23

Here's what Andrew Motion drew with the shape

Image 15 of 23

Here's what Ian McEwan drew with the shape

Image 16 of 23

Here's what Anne Fine drew with the shape

Image 17 of 23

Here's what Tracy Chevalier drew with the shape

Image 18 of 23

Here's what Michael Foreman drew with the shape

Image 19 of 23

Here's what Axel Scheffler drew with the shape

Image 20 of 23

Here's what Emily Gravett drew with the shape

Image 21 of 23

Here's what Patrick Ness drew with the shape

Image 22 of 23

Here's what Anthony Browne drew with the shape

Image 23 of 23