Do you do activities with pattern blocks with your kids?
If not, they are definitely a fun learning tool that you can add to your toolbox! Activities with pattern blocks are incredibly valuable in helping young kids develop math concepts early on.
They are also great for working on spatial recognition and fine motor skills. Click here to learn more about fine motor math activities.
Not sure what pattern blocks are?
What are Pattern Blocks?
Pattern blocks are blocks (wooden or plastic) that come in 6 different shapes and colors:
- hexagons (yellow)
- trapezoids (red)
- squares (orange)
- triangles (green)
- narrow rhombi (tan)
- wide rhombi (blue)
Pattern blocks are so fun that many children mistake them for toys instead of the math tool they are intended to be.
Below you will find 6 easy and engaging activities you can do with your kids!
6 Engaging Activities with Pattern Blocks
1. Sort Pattern Blocks by Shape
Probably one of the easiest activities with pattern blocks is to have kids sort them by shape. Once they are sorted, you can teach kids what their names are.
In a traditional set of pattern blocks shapes include squares, triangles, trapezoids, wide rhombi, narrow rhombi, and hexagons.
Once kids become familiar with the names, you can challenge them to hold up the shape that you say.
Turn it into a game with multiple kids or students by giving each child one of every shape. Say the shape’s name and the kid that holds it up first wins!
2. Sort Pattern Blocks by Color
Sorting pattern blocks by color is another great way for kids to learn with these fun blocks! If your pattern blocks are already sorted by shapes, they will also be sorted by color.
However, you can challenge your kids to know the shape and the color of each block by asking them questions like:
What color is the hexagon? Or what color is the trapezoid?
3. Sort Pattern Blocks by the Number of Corners
Instead of having kids sort by shape or color, you can have them sort by the number of corners each shape has.
This gets interesting because although there are 6 different shapes (counting the two types of rhombi), there are only 3 different numbers of corners: 6 corners, 4 corners, and 3 corners.
This can lead to quite a mathematically complex discussion about how the shapes are similar and how they are different, even if they have the same number of corners.
4. Complete or Create Patterns
Pattern blocks are great for learning about patterns!
Start a pattern in your workspace and have your kids complete it. You can make a simple AB pattern or get as complicated as you like.
Once your kids have a good idea of what a pattern is, have them create their own! After all, the highest level of learning is creating.
5. Design with Pattern Blocks Templates
Look around for pattern blocks templates printables. These are a great way to get kids looking at pattern blocks differently.
Pattern blocks templates are a great way to get kids looking at pattern blocks creatively. You can find them in many fun shapes, like animals.
Or… numbers and letters.
You can look for templates that have each shape outlined, or others that are more challenging, and just have the perimeter of the shape outlined.
Whichever ones you choose, pattern block templates are just plain fun!
6. Just Build!
The 6th and final idea for engaging pattern block activities is just to let your kids build creatively with them. You will be AMAZED at some of the things they come up with! This will help inspire their creativity. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
You can even challenge your kids to build something 3D, like a house or a tower.
Whatever they do, their imagination is the limit!
Thanks for stopping by Traveling Teacher’s Toolbox!
