Browse

Kindergarten Patterns Worksheets

9 free PDFsUS Letter or A4Answer key includedNo login

Shape and number patterns: what comes next, finish the pattern, find the mistake and make your own, from AB to ABC.

Download the patterns worksheets

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these patterns worksheets

A pattern is something that repeats in the same order, like circle, square, circle, square. Spotting and continuing patterns helps children notice rules, predict what comes next and get ready for counting by twos, skip counting and early algebra.

These worksheets start with AB patterns, then move to AAB, ABB and ABC. Patterns use shapes, sizes (big and small) and filled or outline shapes, all in black and white. Children circle what comes next, draw the next three shapes, find the one shape that breaks a pattern, and fill in missing numbers in number patterns like 1, 2, 1, 2.

The last page asks children to make their own patterns. Pages with right answers have an answer key on page 2.

Standards

  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.MD.B.3Classify objects into given categories; count the numbers of objects in each category and sort the categories by count.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.3Write numbers from 0 to 20. Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0-20 (with 0 representing a count of no objects).

How to use them

  1. Say every pattern out loud: "circle, square, circle, square..." Hearing the rhythm makes the next one easier to find.
  2. Clap, stomp or snap a pattern together before starting a page, so the idea is familiar.
  3. Have your child name the part that repeats (the core) and put a finger on each repeat.
  4. Build patterns with blocks, buttons or crayons, then check with the page.
  5. On the make-your-own page, let your child explain their rule to you when they are done.

Teaching tips

  • If your child gets stuck, cover all but the first repeat and say it again: "star, heart... star, heart..."
  • AAB and ABB patterns are harder than AB. Go back to AB if a child guesses randomly.
  • On the find-the-mistake page, reading the pattern aloud usually makes the wrong shape "sound" wrong.
  • Print at actual size (100%). Filled shapes are light gray so pages copy clearly.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What patterns should kindergartners know?

Kindergartners usually start with AB patterns, like red, blue, red, blue, then try AAB, ABB and ABC patterns. They copy, continue and make their own patterns.

Why are patterns important in kindergarten math?

Patterns teach children to look for rules and predict what comes next. That supports counting, number sense and later math like skip counting.

What does AB pattern mean?

The letters name the parts that repeat. An AB pattern repeats two things, like circle, square. An AAB pattern repeats three, like star, star, heart. An ABC pattern repeats three different things.

Do the patterns worksheets have answer keys?

Yes. Every page with right answers has an answer key on page 2. The make-your-own page has none, since any pattern that repeats is right.