Practice making patterns with these Fish Pattern Cards. Grab your free copy of the pdf file and use it either at home or in your classroom as part of your summer or under the sea lesson plan. Preschoolers and kindergarteners will love improving their basic skills with this fun math activity.
Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
The Summer break can be tough on parents who aren’t used to having their kids home every day. If you’re trying to get ready for this Summer, then start with these Summer activities for kids. Or invest in the Summer Activity Pack, which is filled with educational ideas for young kids.
Table of Contents
Materials Needed
- Fish Pattern Cards PDF
- Printer and paper
- Laminating machine and laminating sheets (optional)
- Scissors
How to make a Fish Pattern Cards Activity
1. Download and print a copy of the pdf pattern file.
The free digital download is available at the bottom of the post. All you need to do is click on the blue button to download and print to start making your own patterns out of fish.
2. Laminate the sheets of paper.
This step is optional. If you are doing this activity with a class, you most likely want to save the pattern cards for future use with other years. Laminating is a great way to make worksheets and printable activities more sturdy, and therefore more likely to be in good condition for next year’s class.
If you don’t like the idea of single use plastic, use these pattern cards with a dry erase pocket instead. Your students can still place the flash cards on the outside surface, or use a colorful whiteboard marker to complete the pattern.
Alternatively, you can use these pattern cards as a fun cut and paste activity instead. Encourage your preschoolers to glue the correct colored fish into place and don’t worry about any plastic at all.
3. Cut out each of the cards.
Once again, this step is optional. Having the sheets separated into each of the single card patterns means that you can do this activity with a small group. It ensures that there will be enough copies for all the children to share.
4. Enjoy playing.
Now you’re all set to enjoy playing and learning about simple patterns.
How to Play
1. Pick a card and observe the different colors of fish on it.
This is a great time to practie some color recognition with your kids, especially if they’re very young children who are new to colors and patterns.
2. Figure out what pattern the fish are arranged in.
There are 16 different patterns cards for you to choose from. There are AB pattern cards as well as AAB, ABA, and ABB patterns represented.
3. Once you decide which color comes next in the pattern, find the square card that has that same colored fish on it.
The free printable has a separate sheet with single square tiles of each fish. You can print out as many of these as you like, depending on how you would like your children to complete this fun activity.
4. Place the square card in the empty slot provided on the end of the card.
I also like the idea of using velcro dots to help the fish stick to the end of the card. That way you can turn these pages into a busy book for your kids and all the pieces won’t get lost.
5. Repeat step 1 – 4 for all of the fish pattern cards.
Another alternative is to use several of the fish flash cards to copy the patterns below the original card. This way the kids get to build the entire pattern instead of just completing the end of it.
What You’re Learning
Math
There are several math concepts that young children will develop with these fish activities. These include:
- Pattern recognition (AB, AAB, ABA and ABB)
- Color Recognition
- Counting (e.g. count how many blue fish you see, or how many fish in total)
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to the small muscles in the hand and fingers. Developing these skills are important in being able to write when the kids go to school, as well as being able to complete tasks independently. (For example, dressing and feeding themselves)
Picking up the fish flash cards and placing them in the correct spot are all going to help young kids develop:
- Pincer grip
- Hand-eye coordination
- Dexterity.
Summer Activity Pack
Educational printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners for this Summer.
More Summer Themed STEM Activities
Need some more ideas for your summer STEM centers? Here are some more amazing activities for preschool and kindergarteners.
- Ice Cream Math Printable
- Feed the Shark Math Game
- DIY Math Fishing Game
- Sandcastle Shape Puzzles
- Summer STEM Challenge Cards
For more ideas, take a look at these 32 Summer STEM Activities.
Are you going to try these Fish Pattern Cards with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
This electronic file is for personal and classroom use only. It is not for commercial purposes. By using it, you agree that you will not copy or reproduce the file except for your own personal, non-commercial use.
Print the Instructions
Fish Pattern Cards
Grab you copy of this free printable and help teach your kids about patterns.
These fish pattern cards are a great way to learn about AB patterns and introduce your preschoolers to some simpe math.
Materials
- Fish Pattern Cards PDF
- Printer and paper
- Laminating machine and laminating sheets (optional)
- Scissors
Instructions
How to set it up
- Download and print the free pdf.
- Laminate the pages or place them, in a dry erase pocket.
- Cut out each of the pattern completion cards.
How to Play
- Pick a card and observe the pattern.
- Decide which color fish comes next.
- Find the pattern completion card with the correct color and place it in the square provided.
- Repeat for all of the patterns.
