Patterns on the Frame

Focus: Repeating patterns, visual memory, and early multiplication ideas

This colourful ten frame activity encourages children to notice and create patterns, an essential early maths skill that supports logical thinking and later number work.

Equipment you’ll need:

• Ten frame

• Counters or cubes in two or more colours

How to play:

1. Create a simple pattern using two colours of counters (e.g. red-yellow-red-yellow).

2. Ask your child to copy it on their ten frame.

3. Once they’ve mastered simple patterns, make them trickier, try red-red-yellow-red-red-yellow or add a third colour.

4. Encourage your child to make their own pattern for you to copy!

Extension idea:

Link patterns to counting, “How many reds do you have? How many yellows?” Talk about how patterns repeat and how many counters are in each part.

Why it matters:

Pattern-making builds children’s ability to spot regularity and sequence, key for understanding rhythm, shape, and later multiplication. It also strengthens attention to detail and working memory.