• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Science Facts
  • Science Questions
  • About
    • Emma Vanstone
    • About Science Sparks
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
    • STEM Challenges
    • FREE STEM Challenge Templates
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
  • FREE Science Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
  • Science Resources for Home and School

×
Home » Early Years Science » Making Simple Patterns

Making Simple Patterns

Modified: Mar 3, 2023 · Published: Feb 25, 2012 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

Making patterns is a fun activity that’s easily adaptable for kids of different ages. Our favourite way to make patterns is using DUPLO or LEGO bricks.

patterns made with DUPLO, drawn on paper and rings inside a beetroot

A pattern in a sequence which repeats itself is quite an important concept for children to grasp.

We started off very simply with Duplo bricks to introduce the concept.

Pattern made with brightly coloured DUPLO bricks

Then we drew some patterns.

Patterns drawn on apper with felt tip pens

 

My 5-year-old made some more complicated patterns using DUPLO. Can you spot all the patterns in his model?

Can you see any patterns as you look around your house?

A Real Life Example

We looked in the kitchen to try to find some patterns in foods and found this. Can you think of any others in your kitchen?

colourful rings inside sliced beetroot

 

We also made a boy/girl pattern around the dinner table, and Z made a pattern with his sweetcorn and peas on his plate.

Patterns in nature

There are many examples of patterns in nature, including symmetry, spirals and stripes.

Animals with the ability to move usually have mirror symmetry, as this works well for movement purposes, whereas plants and stationary animals often have rotational symmetry.

Spirals are found in some molluscs and even in plants such as the flowerhead of the sunflower.

Patterns are also found in non-living things. I was most surprised last weekend when a snowflake landed on my arm, the weather conditions meant that, for the first time ever, I could see the perfect sixfold symmetry.

snowflake and frost showing the symmetry of a snowflake

There are many, many more examples of patterns, we will come back to this topic very soon.

Last Updated on March 3, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

More Early Years Science

  • ideas for learning with LEGO
    40 Easy Science Experiments Using LEGO®
  • Firework Crafts – Spin Art and Filter Paper Pictures
  • Tennis ball bouncing
    Why do balls bounce?
  • 20 AWESOME Outdoor Science Experiments for Kids

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. HELEN

    August 25, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    we now have a nice pattern in our carpet!!

    Reply
  2. laura

    August 27, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    What a fun lesson!

    Reply
  3. Mary at Sweetwater Style

    August 28, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Love this….the more that kids see pattern in the world the better they are at math and reading too….keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      August 30, 2011 at 12:43 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Ticia

    August 29, 2011 at 3:29 am

    I’ve always found the patterns in nature fascinating, especially Fibonnaci’s Sequence.

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      August 30, 2011 at 12:41 pm

      oooh yes, thats a good one!

      Reply
  5. Aimee

    September 01, 2011 at 2:17 am

    My son loves patterns- he points them out everywhere! Great post 😉 Thank you for linking up to The Sunday Showcase.

    Reply
  6. maggy, red ted art

    September 02, 2011 at 7:32 am

    Sorry it has taken me all week to stop by and comment! But love this post. Such a wonderful way to “look closer” at the things around you. I guess you could add “exploring texture” too… I love how corn feels!

    Maggy

    Reply
  7. Irina

    September 08, 2011 at 9:07 am

    Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Eddie

    June 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    Great idea for discovering patterns!

    I have no idea what the last picture is (beet? Red onion?), but it’s a great photo!

    Reply
  9. maggy, red ted art

    June 29, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    Isn’t lego simply THE BEST!!!

    And is that some beetroot?

    Thank you so much for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy & Alissa

    Reply
  10. Diane

    January 18, 2014 at 12:33 am

    That’s a nice thin slice of beet!!!

    Reply
  11. GeraldGaw

    July 22, 2017 at 2:42 am

    With broadband Web service obtaining quicker and faster, it is turning into much more advantageous to signal up for broadband telephone service, also recognized as VOIP or Voice more than Web Protocol. If you are considering VOIP telephone service, right here are the leading 5 reasons you ought to get VOIP service.

    You can effortlessly give your little company a big company image merely by utilizing professional phone attributes. get virtual sms number services features such as a digital receptionist, smart call forwarding, voicemail to e-mail and a toll free company number can give you a large company look, and improve your capability to serve clients much more successfully.

    Can they customize a system to fit your needs? Not all businesses are the exact same. Your digital phone services needs might differ somewhat, or even significantly, from the supplier’s standard offerings. If that is the case, ask what they can do to accommodate your specific needs.

    Talk about lifestyle-long address, phone services for less than $ fifteen a thirty day period! This services arrives with a totally ready strategy, limitless inbound and outbound phone calls throughout the U.S. and Canada. The service is superb and when you get your totally free trial edition and you want to see for your self.

    Google Profile: Now this services is truly awesome. It gives you the ability to add a web site profile web page. Why is it so great? Nicely, it’s another way you can be found in the search engines. You select what is listed AND who can see it. I consist of on business info in my profile.

    With the digital contacting playing cards buying and calling is so easy.a couple of actions on a Computer and you are carried out. Talk for lengthy.it doesn’t cost the earth anymore.

    http://filmoteka1.ru/user/HaiKeesler31366/

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Imagine a world where science education is accessible to everyone and is all about hands-on, exciting discoveries. That’s the world I want to create.

More about me

Around the World in 50 Experiments

50 experiments about countries of the world

Footer

↑ back to top

Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd