Colours, numbers and shapes are some of the first things children learn to name in English, and you can find all of them without leaving the room. A red cup, three spoons, a round plate: the lesson is already on the table.
This guide gives you 40 easy English words in four groups: colours, numbers from one to ten, shapes and describing words. Every word has a short example sentence, so you can read it aloud and let your child repeat it.
Name it, count it, then describe it. A child who can say “two big red cups” is using a number, a size and a colour in one go.
All 40 words and examples on 4 A4 pages, with tick boxes and a colour hunt. Free to print for home or classroom.
40 easy English words: colours, numbers, shapes and describing words
Pick one group to start with. Three to five words from a single group are plenty for a first week.
1. Colours
| Word | Simple example |
|---|---|
| red | The apple is red. |
| blue | My cup is blue. |
| yellow | The banana is yellow. |
| green | The leaf is green. |
| orange | The carrot is orange. |
| pink | She has a pink dress. |
| purple | I like the purple flower. |
| brown | The dog is brown. |
| black | The night sky is black. |
| white | The cloud is white. |
2. Numbers 1 to 10
| Word | Simple example |
|---|---|
| one | I have one nose. |
| two | I have two hands. |
| three | There are three chairs. |
| four | The table has four legs. |
| five | I have five fingers. |
| six | I see six birds. |
| seven | There are seven days in a week. |
| eight | I have eight crayons. |
| nine | I see nine stars. |
| ten | Let us count to ten. |
3. Shapes
| Word | Simple example |
|---|---|
| circle | The ball is a circle. |
| square | The window is a square. |
| triangle | The roof is a triangle. |
| rectangle | The door is a rectangle. |
| oval | The egg is an oval. |
| star | I can draw a star. |
| heart | She drew a heart. |
| diamond | The kite is a diamond. |
| line | Draw a straight line. |
| curve | The road has a curve. |
4. Describing words
| Word | Simple example |
|---|---|
| big | The elephant is big. |
| small | The ant is small. |
| long | The rope is long. |
| short | The pencil is short. |
| tall | The tree is tall. |
| round | The ball is round. |
| soft | The pillow is soft. |
| hard | The stone is hard. |
| hot | The tea is hot. |
| cold | The water is cold. |
Start with colours at home
Colours are easy to practise because your child can see them everywhere. Choose one colour a day and let your child do the finding.
Colour hunt
- Say the colour of the day, for example “red”.
- Ask your child to find three red things in the room.
- Ask them to say what each one is: “red apple”, “red shirt”, “red toy”.
- Tomorrow, pick a new colour and ask about red again at the end.
Count real things
Numbers stick when your child counts something they can touch: spoons on the table, steps on the stairs, toys going into a box. Count aloud together, pointing at each one, then ask “How many?”
“How many spoons?”
“Three.”
“Yes, three spoons.”
Start with one to five if ten feels like a lot. Counting back down from ten is a fun next step.
Find shapes in everyday things
Shapes hide in ordinary objects. Walk around the room and name what you see.
- A plate is a circle.
- A door is a rectangle.
- An egg is an oval.
- A slice of sandwich cut corner to corner is a triangle.
Put two words together
Once your child can name a colour or a size, join the words. This is how single words turn into short sentences.
ball → red ball → big red ball → I have a big red ball.
If your child names things but stops there, this guide has more low-pressure ways to help them say more. For plenty more everyday words, see the 100 easy English words for kids.
Turn the lists into a game
- Colour I Spy. “I spy something blue.” Your child guesses what it is.
- Count and clap. Clap once for each number as you count together, then ask your child to stop at a number you call out.
- Shape hunt. Use the printable as a tick list and find one thing for each shape.
- Mystery bag. Put a small object in a bag. Your child feels it and says what it is like: soft, round, hard, small.
- Sorting. Put toys or socks into groups by colour, then count each group.
For an on-screen version, Flucie Create lets your child colour an object and say its name.
The colours and numbers are already in your home
A red cup, three spoons, a round plate and a tall glass: you have just practised a colour, a number, a shape and a describing word without a single flashcard.
Start with a few words, use them while you do something real, and come back to them tomorrow.
Frequently asked questions
What colours should kids learn first in English?
Start with the colours your child sees most often: red, blue, yellow and green. Add the rest once those feel easy.
How can I teach numbers in English to a young child?
Count real things in daily routines, such as steps, spoons or toys, and say each number aloud as you point. Start with one to five before going on to ten.
Should my child learn colours, numbers and shapes separately?
You can, but they work well together. A phrase like 'two blue cups' uses a number, a colour and a noun, and combining words is how single words grow into sentences.
How many words should my child learn at a time?
Three to five is a comfortable start, such as three colours or three numbers. Use them for a few days before adding more.
My child already knows these words in another language. Does that help?
Yes. If your child knows a word in Hindi, Telugu or another home language, they already understand the idea. Say the English word alongside it and let your child repeat it.
Is there a printable list?
Yes. The PDF on this page has all 40 words with a tick box for each one and a colour hunt game. It is free to print for home or classroom use.
Keep reading
Vocabulary100 Easy English Words for Kids to Learn at Home
Simple everyday vocabulary children can see, hear, say and use, with a short example sentence for every word.
Daily Routine Words in English for Kids
Forty everyday phrases for the morning, school, after school and bedtime, with a simple example for each and a free routine chart.
Opposites in English for Kids
Thirty two pairs of opposites with a short sentence for each, and a free printable with an opposites game.
Written by the Flucie team. See how we make our content or send a correction to hello@flucie.com.
Turn everyday moments into learning.
Flucie helps children learn English through stories, reading, speaking and real-life practice with an AI learning guide.
Explore Flucie Create