Awesome Pattern Activities for Preschoolers

Elementary Kindergarten Preschool Math

Recognizing and completing patterns is a fundamental part of learning basic math skills for preschoolers.

From patterns, children learn to make connections, make predictions, and set the foundation they’ll need in the future to understand patterns that are found in numbers, equations, more advanced math concepts and even those in their daily lives.

Like any other skill, pattern skills will take time and practice to master. Fortunately, there are tons of fun ideas available online for teaching patterns covering everything from simple to more complex patterns and today, I’ve pulled together a list of some of our favorite simple pattern activities for preschoolers!

Simple Pattern Activities for Preschoolers

Penguin Patterns File Folder Game

This file folder pattern activity for preschoolers uses penguins in a variety of shapes so that your preschooler can practice identifying the next shape in the pattern. A super cute file folder pattern activity that your child or students will love.

Robot Pattern Cards

Does your toddler love robots? If so, then this robot pattern activity might pique their interest to learn about patterns and shapes. You can have them tell you the names, colors, and shapes that they see in addition to what shape should come next in the pattern.

Goldfish Cracker Patterns

Learning is always more fun when you get to eat some of your work at the end of it, especially for young children. These 20 goldfish cracker patterns will keep your toddler learning all about patterns as well as full from a snack. Not only will your toddler learn about patterns with this pattern activity for preschoolers they can also learn to recognize the type of pattern that it is. (ABB patterns, ABC patterns, etc.)

Pattern Snakes

Pattern snakes are an easy pattern activity that you can set up for your toddler at home. All you need is paper and stickers for this easy repeating pattern activity. Simply start a pattern for your toddler with stickers and help them determine what comes next.

Dot Marker Patterns

Toddlers and preschoolers love any activity that involves bingo dot markers and this do-a-dot pattern activity is no different. This is an easy way to teach your toddler about repeating patterns. Simply print out the pattern cards and then provide your students with some dot makers so that they can copy and continue the patterns on the cards.

Digital Spring Bug Patterns

This Spring themed activity is digital and features some really cute insects. Your toddler will look at the pattern and circle or click on the bug slide that should come next. The game comes with instant feedback so that your preschooler will know if they were correct or if they should try again.

Bear Counter Pattern Strips

Does your toddler love playing with counting bears? Then you might want to print out this cute counting bear pattern activity for preschoolers that uses them. Simply print the pattern strips and let your students use their counting bears to match and complete the pattern. Don’t worry if you don’t have counting bears, there is a printable worksheet of them or you could use whatever you might have on hand like stickers or small colorful candy pieces.

Popsicle Stick Patterns

This Popsicle Stick pattern activity is easy to set up and easy to take with you as a busy bag activity on the go. Just print out the popsicle pattern cards, laminate them, and let your students use different colors of Popsicle Sticks to continue the patterns.

Pattern Activities for Preschoolers & Kindergarteners

This site offers several different pattern activities for preschoolers that you can do with your children at home and on the go. Here you will find pattern snakes, snack patterns, Lego patterns, dot patterns, clapping patterns, and even music patterns.

Jack and the Beanstalk Printable Pattern Pieces

These Jack and the Beanstalk printable pattern pieces make it easy to tie story time in with introducing or practicing pattern concepts and are absolutely perfect for your math center. Your students will love making repeating patterns with these adorable characters.

Egg Carton Patterns

Egg cartons are a fantastic container to hold whatever items your students are using to make their patterns. Here you will find ideas for making patterns with beads and Legos as well as some ideas for more challenging patterns for older children. Don’t have any egg cartons right now? An ice cube tray makes a fantastic substitute!

Pirate Patterns

Does your little one like pirates? If so, then this cut and paste pirate pattern should be a fun and educational pattern activity for them. You can also laminate these activities and use them in a center or a busy bag.

LEGO Pattern Cards

Chances are, if you are a parent or a teacher, you have some LEGOs in your life. This simple pattern activity for preschoolers uses LEGO blocks and printable pattern cards so that they can recreate the pattern.

Truck Pattern Cards

This printable truck pattern card activity is perfect for young learners first discovering patterns all the way up to kindergartners who may already know a thing or two about patterns. Print them out, cut out the trucks (or let your preschoolers do it), and let the learning begin!

Cut and Paste Patterns

There’s nothing better than an activity that works on multiple skills and concepts at the same time. Cut and paste activities are such an easy way to work on those fine motor skills, but they can also be perfect for working on patterns! This particular cut and paste pattern activity includes four different themes to choose from: shapes, fruit, school supplies, and zoo animals, and they’ll all require your preschoolers to exercise those small motor muscles while they try their hands at building patterns.

Apple Patterns with Pom Poms

If you’re currently working on teaching your preschoolers the first letter of the alphabet or working your way through an apple theme unit, this activity is the perfect companion for your math center.

Simply print out the apple pattern strips, grab some pom poms, and have your students finish the patterns with the correct colors.

AB Kite Patterns

This kite pattern activity is perfect for Spring and can fit into so many different theme units! Whether you’re learning about the Spring season, the weather, or even the wind specifically, kites make a perfect manipulative and with this particular activity, your students will have both worksheets and tactile learning options.

Flower Patterning

This pattern activity is also a fantastic sensory experience! You’ll need both artificial flowers and some homemade playdough. With these two items, your preschoolers will not only work on patterns, they’ll also try their hand at being gardeners as they “plant” their flowers in various configurations.

Pattern Towers

Building towers with patterns is a fantastic way to work on this essential math skill and there are so many ways to do it!

Whether you’re using colored wooden blocks, LEGOs, or even straws for an added fine motor workout, those students of yours that love to build will have a blast with this one!

Patterned Caterpillar Craft

This adorable pattern idea combines a lesson about patterns with art! Let your students create their own patterned caterpillar craft and then use them to decorate the walls of your classroom for Spring!

M&M Pattern Cards

Everything is more fun with a snack, especially math! Your students will love learning all about patterns by using M&Ms to recreate them on these printable pattern worksheets.