Pattern games for kids
Six easy games for children to play with a grown-up using coloured paper, movement, things from the kitchen, crayons and a short walk. Many children enjoy spotting what repeats and saying what comes next. Each game lists an age hint, what to gather, simple steps and a notice question to talk about together.
Safety first
Stay with your child for every game. Younger children put things in their mouths, so for children under three choose only items bigger than a fist and keep beads, buttons, coins, marbles, bottle caps and other small things out of reach. Grown-ups do all the cutting, and cut paper edges should be smooth. Paper strips and crayons are not food, so take them away if they head for a mouth. Use washable, non-toxic pens and crayons, and put every material away when you finish. For the pattern walk, stay on safe paths away from traffic and do not touch unknown plants. Age hints are only a guide, so you know your child best.
1. Paper strip pattern strings
Age hint: 4 and up.
Bring: Coloured paper, a glue stick or tape, a pencil, and child-safe scissors for the grown-up only.
- The grown-up cuts paper into strips about as wide as two fingers, in two or three colours, and smooths the cut edges.
- Lay the strips in a row to start a pattern, such as red, blue, red, blue.
- Ask your child to add the next strips, then glue or tape the ends into loops that link together like a paper chain.
- Hang the finished string along a shelf or a window, where it stays out of reach of babies.
Notice: Can you say your pattern out loud without looking at the colours?
2. Body move patterns
Age hint: 3 and up.
Bring: A clear floor with no loose rugs, and shoes or grippy socks.
- Stand facing your child and start a short move pattern, such as arms up, arms up, touch toes.
- Repeat it twice so everyone can see it, then invite your child to join in.
- Keep going round and round, then pause and see if your child can carry it on alone.
- Swap roles and let your child make the pattern while you copy. Keep every move slow and gentle.
Notice: Which move came after touching toes, and which came before it?
3. What comes next with household objects
Age hint: 3 and up.
Bring: Four to six large, safe things such as a wooden spoon, a plastic cup, a soft toy and a book.
- Line up a row on the floor or table, such as spoon, cup, spoon, cup.
- Ask your child what should come next and let them place it.
- Make the row longer, or try a three-step pattern like spoon, cup, book.
- Take turns being the pattern maker, and put everything away when you finish.
Notice: What would happen if we put the spoon in the cup's place?
4. Drawing a pattern border
Age hint: 4 and up.
Bring: Paper, a pencil and crayons or washable pens.
- Draw a line near the edge of a page to make a frame.
- Fill the frame with one repeating shape, such as stripes, zigzags or dots.
- Try a two-shape border, like dot, stripe, dot, stripe, using different colours.
- Turn the page into a card or a bookmark for someone you like.
Notice: Which shapes were easy to repeat, and which wobbled?
5. Pattern walk
Age hint: 3 and up.
Bring: A short walk, indoors or out, and your eyes.
- Stay with your grown-up on a safe path or inside your home, and decide to look for repeating things.
- Spot patterns such as floor tiles, fence posts, a brick wall, window grilles or a row of leaves.
- Point to each one and say what repeats, for example up, down, up, down.
- Do not touch unknown plants or step onto roads, and leave things where they are.
Notice: Which pattern was the longest you could find?
6. Break the pattern
Age hint: 5 and up.
Bring: The same large objects or paper strips as in the earlier games.
- Make a long pattern, such as spoon, cup, spoon, cup, spoon, cup.
- Quietly swap one item so the pattern breaks, for example a book in place of a cup.
- Ask your child to find the odd one out and say what should be there.
- Swap roles so your child hides a mistake for you to find.
Notice: How did you know which one did not belong?
More to do on Rangooo
Try some easy drawing ideas, shape and colour games, listening games for kids, easy paper crafts, nature walk activities, memory games for kids, homemade puzzles, easy rangoli designs, indoor games for kids, browse more stories and activities, or see resources for teachers.
Questions
What age are these pattern games for?
They are written for ages three to seven with a grown-up. Many children enjoy the body move game, the what comes next row and the pattern walk from about three, while the paper strips, border drawing and break-the-pattern game may suit older children. Age is only a guide, so follow your own child.
Do we need to buy anything?
No. Coloured paper, a glue stick or tape, a pencil and crayons, and things from your kitchen and room are enough. Use what you already have, and ask a grown-up to do any cutting.
What if my child does not want to continue the pattern?
That is fine. Many children like to make their own pattern first, so let them lead and copy theirs. Stop when the fun fades and try again another day.
Are these games safe for under-threes?
Stay with your child throughout and use only large, safe items such as wooden spoons and plastic cups, never beads, buttons, coins or other small objects. Keep paper strips out of mouths, and leave scissors to the grown-up.
These are our own simple ideas. Homes, children and moods differ, so adapt each game to your own setting. Always supervise young children. If you spot a mistake, please tell us and we will fix it.