Math Game Monday: Pattern Blocks Challenge

This cooperative game fosters vocabulary and geometric visualization skills.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!

Pattern Blocks Challenge

Math Concepts: geometric vocabulary, visualization.

Players: two or more (a cooperative game).

Equipment: pattern blocks.

How to Play

Players each take an assortment of pattern blocks and sit back-to-back on the floor. Or sit at a table with something tall between them to block their view of each other’s designs.

One player, the builder, creates a design with the blocks and tries to describe the design in words so the other players can duplicate it.

The player who comes closest to the exact design becomes the next builder.

Variation

Pattern Block Symmetry: Place a pencil, chopstick, or other straight object to act as a line of symmetry on the table or floor. One player places any block on the right-hand side of the line. The other matches it with a symmetric block on the left, and then places a new block for the first player to match. Continue building until both players agree the design is finished.