Creative ideas with patterns

Spiral mobile

Let children draw around circle templates using different types of paper. Try patterned wrapping paper, shiny paper, coloured paper, or ask children to decorate a piece of paper with their own patterns. Draw a spiral on the back of the circle and cut out carefully. Attach string to one end of each spiral and hang up so that the spirals twirl around.

Sketch-a-shell

Challenge children to find shapes and patterns on natural objects. Make a collection of shells for children to handle and look at closely. Use sea shells and snail shells with patterns and spirals on them. Let children use chalks and pastels to sketch what they can see.

Spirals in the sand

Practise fine motor control by drawing in different materials. Use shallow trays with dry or wet sand and let children experiment by drawing spirals, and other patterns – zigzags, wavy lines, spots, stars, and so on. Try using different mediums such as coloured cornflour, custard powder, and finger paint. Encourage them to enjoy the sensation of making patterns in the different materials.