3 Simple Reading Games with Pattern Blocks {Free Printable}
This post is part of the Learning with Manipulatives blog hop. This week we’re sharing ideas for pattern blocks.
I started working on this post thinking I’d do something with a space theme, since Sophie is still obsessed with space. I challenged all 3 kids, even Liam, to create something. They were eager try. Too eager, it turns out. They started fighting over our one set of pattern blocks.
Reading Games with Pattern Blocks
My plan evolved into a set of games for sharing pattern blocks, as well as getting in a little reading practice. They’re geared to young readers, but older kids can play too. My girls are in kindergarten, and this is just right for that age group.
I made three printable dice with words related to pattern blocks. One has pattern block color names. Another has pattern block shape names. The third one has the numbers one to four spelled out, with “one” and “two” each on there twice. (Five and six was too many for the game to work.)
You can print them from here. Then, just cut them out, fold, and tape together.
Easiest Pattern Block Reading Game
The easiest way to play is to use one die. You could even sketch in shapes, numbers, and colors on the word dice if you need to make it accessible for reluctant or young readers.
Setup
- Give each child an identical pattern block card
- Give the group one assembled game cube
Instructions
- Take turns rolling the die
- Choose a pattern block or blocks to match what was rolled
- If the board doesn’t have an open space matching what you rolled, then you have to pass.
- The first child to fill up his or her board is the winner.
Alternatively, the kids could share a pattern block card and work collaboratively on it, taking turns rolling the cube.
Two Cube Pattern Block Reading Game
For a little more complexity, you can use two dice and give the kids a bit more choice.
Setup
- Let each child choose his or her own pattern block card
- Give the group the number cube along with either the shape name cube or the color name cube.
- Set a timer for how long you want the game to run.
Instructions
- Take turns rolling both dice.
- The number cube tells you how many pattern blocks to take.
- The shape or color name cube tells you what kind of block(s) to take.
- Alternate turns until you fill your board. Then, select a new board.
- Continue until the timer goes off.
- If you want there to be a winner (there doesn’t have to be), see who filled the most boards, or count to see who had the most pattern blocks.
Pattern Block Design Game
This game is for kids with an independent streak who’re already familiar with pattern blocks.
Setup
- You won’t be using pattern cards
- Setup on a smooth, hard surface
- Give the group the number cube along with either the shape name cube or the color name cube.
- Set a timer if desired
Instructions
- Take turns rolling both dice and choosing pattern blocks to match what was rolled.
- Alternate turns until all the blocks have been claimed.
- Create a design using as many of your blocks as possible.
- If you want a winner, you can either choose based on number of blocks used, or have someone judge based on quality of the design.
This third game is the one just right for my kids. They enjoy being creative, and have a lot of experience with our pattern blocks. Throwing some reading practice in was just icing on the cake, and made an old game feel new again.
You may also like some of these other creative ideas for pattern blocks:
- Pattern Block Task Cards Free Printable from Life Over C’s
- Pattern Matching Race from Learning 2 Walk
- Pattern Block Pattern Trains from The Kindergarten Connection
- Tangrams and Visual Perception in Handwriting from Sugar Aunts
- Color & Shape Sorting With Pattern Blocks from Powerful Mothering
- Pattern Block BINGO with Printable Mats from School Time Snippets