Printable worksheet for drawing nets of 3D shapes.

Let’s go step by step to figure out how to draw two different nets for each 3D shape.

A “net” is a flat pattern that you can fold to make the 3D shape. Think of it like unfolding a box — when you lay it flat, that’s its net. Some shapes have more than one way to be unfolded, so we need to draw two different versions for each.

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1. Rectangular Prism (like a shoebox)

This shape has 6 rectangular faces: top, bottom, front, back, left side, right side.

✔ First Net Idea:
Draw a long row of 4 rectangles in a line (front, right, back, left). Then attach the top rectangle above the front one, and the bottom rectangle below the front one.

✔ Second Net Idea:
Draw a cross shape: put the front rectangle in the middle. Attach top above it, bottom below it, left on the left, right on the right. Then attach the back rectangle to either the left or right side (doesn’t matter which).

You can also try other arrangements — as long as all 6 rectangles are connected and can fold into the prism, it’s correct!

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2. Square Pyramid (base is a square, 4 triangular sides meeting at a point)

This shape has 5 faces: 1 square base + 4 triangles.

✔ First Net Idea:
Draw the square in the center. Attach one triangle to each side of the square. All triangles point outward.

✔ Second Net Idea:
Draw three triangles in a row (side-by-side). Attach the square to the bottom of the middle triangle. Then attach the fourth triangle to the top of the middle triangle.

Or: Draw the square with only 3 triangles attached (say, left, right, and bottom), then attach the fourth triangle to the top edge of the left or right triangle.

As long as the 4 triangles connect to the square and can fold up to meet at a point, it works!

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3. Cylinder (like a can)

This shape has 3 parts: 2 circles (top and bottom) and 1 curved rectangle (the side).

✔ First Net Idea:
Draw a rectangle in the middle. Attach one circle to the top edge of the rectangle, and one circle to the bottom edge.

✔ Second Net Idea:
Draw the two circles side by side. Draw the rectangle next to them — maybe to the right of both circles. The rectangle doesn’t have to touch the circles directly in the drawing, but when folded, the rectangle wraps around and connects to both circles.

Note: In reality, the rectangle’s length must equal the circumference of the circle — but for this worksheet, just showing the pieces connected correctly is enough.

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4. Cone (like an ice cream cone)

This shape has 2 parts: 1 circle (base) and 1 sector of a circle (curved surface that becomes the cone).

✔ First Net Idea:
Draw a circle. Next to it, draw a big “pie slice” (sector) — like a Pac-Man shape. The straight edges of the pie slice will become the slant height of the cone.

✔ Second Net Idea:
Same as above, but flip the position — put the sector on the left and the circle on the right. Or rotate the sector so it points downward instead of upward.

Important: The arc (curved part) of the sector must match the circumference of the circle — again, for this level, just showing the two parts connected is fine.

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Final Answer:

For each 3D shape, here are two possible net ideas you can draw:

1. Rectangular Prism
- Net A: Row of 4 rectangles + top & bottom attached to first rectangle
- Net B: Cross shape with 5 rectangles + sixth attached to any outer edge

2. Square Pyramid
- Net A: Square in center with 4 triangles attached to each side
- Net B: Three triangles in a row + square under middle triangle + fourth triangle on top

3. Cylinder
- Net A: Rectangle with circle on top and bottom
- Net B: Two circles side by side + rectangle beside them

4. Cone
- Net A: Circle + sector (pie slice) next to it
- Net B: Sector flipped or rotated + circle placed differently nearby

Remember: As long as your net can be folded to make the original 3D shape, it’s correct! Try sketching them lightly first, then darken the lines once you’re sure.