2.5y–4.2y10 minFree playFamily timeOutdoor
Pattern Spotter Safari
A quick pattern hunt using everyday surroundings and a few objects, helping your child notice, describe, and continue repeating patterns indoors, outdoors, and in simple daily routines.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 everyday items with visible patterns (e.g., striped sock, patterned tea towel, cereal box, placemat)
- 6–10 small household objects for making a pattern (e.g., spoons, bottle tops, blocks, toy cars, pegs)
- a clear floor/table space
Nice to have
- paper and pen/pencil (for quick doodles of patterns)
- phone camera (to snap a pattern you spot)
- sticky notes (to mark 'pattern finds')
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 5-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneNotices detailed features of objects in their environment.Mind· 22mo–3y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneSays what will happen nextMind· 2.5y–4y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneTalks About Past and Future EventsMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneOrders a complete familiar sequenceMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Shows an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows awareness of similarities of shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses positional language.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shape by sustained construction activity or by talking about shapes or arrangements.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide materials and resources for children to observe and describe patterns in the indoor and outdoor environment and in daily routines.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)