These simple pattern blocks are easy to make, and they have been a huge hit with my kids! There are so many ways to learn and discover with this fun hands-on STEM toy. Every time we think that we have found all the patterns we find another one! Make these blocks with wooden cubes, paint, and Sharpies.
This project started with some inspiration from the printable Infinity Tiles on Babble Dabble Do (check these out – so cool!). I knew that if I drew lines on the blocks that always traveled through the center of each side, then they would fit together no matter which way you turn the blocks.
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Supplies Needed:
- 1 inch wooden cubes
- White acrylic paint
- Sharpies – in whatever colors you want
Connect the Line Blocks
First, I painted a bunch of 1 inch wooden blocks white. I used two packages of 13 each from Michael’s, so 26 total. A nice round 30 probably would have been even better, although 26 is enough to make some nice designs.
After the paint dried, I marked the center of each cube on each side. Then I drew lines in purple Sharpie that connect each side to the side adjacent to it.
Each block is a little different!
The first thing to explore is how to turn the blocks to build open or closed shapes.
Connect more of them – this pattern has a closed shape with a larger closed shape around it.
Can you build the longest possible continuous line? Check out the line in this one!
Black and White Pattern Blocks
After I made the line blocks, I wanted to create a different type of pattern on the opposite side. I decided to go with black and white triangles. To make these, I drew a diagonal line across the blocks with a ruler and a pencil. Then I just colored in one side with a black sharpie.
I wasn’t sure how many different patterns we would be able to create with the black and white blocks, but we have not yet discovered all the possibilities!
You can build with them either flat on the table, or make a tower like this. The fun part about building vertically is that you can create a pattern on one side, and then look at the other side to see what you created over there.
Here are just some of the patterns we have created:
Have fun exploring! Need more building ideas? Here are some of our favorites.
Almost Unschoolers says
July 17, 2016 at 11:07 pmI love these type of puzzles – what a great idea for diy!
Justine says
August 5, 2016 at 2:11 pmGoing to attempt these today for my Kindergarten class! I’m so excited! Thank you for sharing!
Janet says
September 6, 2016 at 8:28 pmI love this idea! How young of a child do you think this would be appropriate for?
Sarah says
September 13, 2016 at 11:01 pmMy four year old enjoys playing with these, but my 7 and 9 year olds actually build patterns with them. I’m not sure if that helps or not! I think you could use them for any age, but ages 6+ would probably get more out of the pattern aspect. My middle schooler even enjoys building the patterns!
Cheerymom says
March 1, 2017 at 6:02 pmWow this is awesome ! Thanks for sharing, let me try it out for my son
Meagan H says
August 17, 2017 at 1:21 pmWe had similar b&w blocks growing up, but they included both sides with the b&w triangles and sides that were solid black or white. Expands the pattern possibilities!
Rita. says
December 8, 2018 at 3:50 pmThis is an amazing experience that will occupy school aged children for a long time creating different patterns. An experience well worth the time to create it. Great way exercise children’s cognitive minds. THANKS. Rita Abbott. NSW. Sydney..
Ellen Lemaster says
June 1, 2019 at 8:46 pmMy younger brother received a set of wooden blocks similar to these in the 1960’s, when he was almost five years old.
The 25 blocks in his set had four sides of solid colors – red, blue, yellow and white, and two sides with triangles – blue and yellow, and red and white. They came with pattern sheets that you could put on a flat surface that were in the same scale as the blocks, so he could just match the side of the block to the pattern. My mother had finally found the perfect toy for his logical mind (he became a computer programmer as an adult). I was about eight, and my older brother was eleven. We all loved making all sorts of patterns! I wanted to buy or make a set for my granddaughters, so thank you for sharing your ideas. I had never considered using sharpie markers to color them.