Halloween patterns

Explore simple repeating patterns with pumpkins and friendly ghosts. Notice how two pictures take turns in the same order, choose what comes next, then create a repeating pattern with two pictures, shapes or marks. Allow about 5 to 10 minutes per activity, with pauses as needed.

A free printable art and learning activity for school or home, with educator notes, two activity pages and flexible ways to take part.

Suggested ages3-5

Flexible time10 minutes

In this resource3 pages

Ages are starting points. Choose by interest and access needs.

No cuttingLow messLarge drawing spacesChoice making

Download the free printable

Print at 100% / actual size on US Letter paper. Black-and-white printing works well. A grown-up can read the directions aloud. These activities are playful invitations, not a test.

Download US LetterPDF · 3 pages · 48 KB

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EDUCATOR NOTES

How to use
this activity.

What’s inside

Educator guide with repeating-pattern goals, flexible participation ideas and an adult answer key
Three pumpkin-and-ghost repeating patterns with two picture choices for each missing picture
Creation page with two picture-planning boxes and two rows for a repeating pattern

Gather a few things

Printed pages
Pencil, crayons or washable markers

Try it together

1
Choose one row on page 2. Point along it from left to right and name the pictures together.
2
Say the repeating pair aloud, such as pumpkin, ghost; pumpkin, ghost. Pause before the missing picture.
3
Invite the learner to point to, circle or mark one of the two picture choices. Try one row or all three.
4
On page 3, choose two pictures or marks and draw one in each top box. Repeat them in the same order across a row; an adult can draw or record the learner's choices. Try one row or both.
5
Adult key for page 2: row 1 is pumpkin (right choice), row 2 is ghost (left choice), and row 3 is ghost (right choice). Read every row from left to right.

Make it your way

Cover the other rows to focus on one pattern. Model the repeating pair, then say it together.
Pause before the missing picture and offer the two picture choices. The learner may look, point, speak, gesture or direct an adult.
Drawing and independent reading are not required. Accept adult-recorded choices, and pause or skip any step.
For more challenge, continue the same pattern beyond the printed row, or create a new repeating pattern with two different marks on page 3.

Participation can mean making, choosing, observing or directing a partner.

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