Free Printable Pattern Block STEM Challenge Cards

Pattern block shapes are perfect for STEM projects because of the variety of shapes and how those shapes fit together. Through the design process, students are working on valuable skills.

Providing the free pattern block printables gives kids a place to start their building and designing. All of the cards allow children to build and create freely within a specific prompt. Carefully arranging and setting up the shapes also works on their fine motor skills!

Why Incorporate STEM Challenges into Children’s Learning?

You are meeting so many academic skills by providing your child with STEM activities. There are lots of benefits to doing STEM activities with children.

Use of Simple Materials

STEM challenges allow children to look at things like rubber bands and paper clips in different ways.

Work on Critical Thinking Skills

With no right or wrong way to complete a challenge, kids of all ages gain confidence in their abilities.

Work on a Variety of Subjects

STEM activities work on science, technology, engineering and math. These printable STEM challenge cards offer open-ended challenges in varying difficulties so that kids (and adults!) of all ages can exercise their brains.

Develop a Child’s Creativity

The shapes can be put together in so may ways, letting kids be creative. Green triangles can be leaves on trees or spikes on a dinosaur. The only limit is the child’s imagination!

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Materials Needed For the Pattern Block Challenge

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How To Use The Pattern Block Design Challenges

Print, laminate and cut apart the task cards. Optional: Use a book ring for easy storage and ease of use.

Offering a STEM challenge for kids allows them to work on problem-solving skills, math, engineering and more!

The pattern block cards are varying difficulties, so that kids of all ages can use them to create. Younger kids will enjoy simple cards like the “designing a tree” card while older kids will enjoy the challenge presented with the “build something symmetrical” card. Children simply use pattern blocks to make the shape or design presented in the printable pattern blocks PDF.

Of course, this is also a perfect opportunity to ask questions and see where a child’s thinking can lead them when presented with a problem. Is there a way to solve the problem without completely changing the design? Or is there a different way to solve the challenge?

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Other Ways To Use The STEM Challenge Cards PDF:

Create your own challenge

After children have completed some of the challenges, have them write their own and give to siblings or their parents to solve!

Extend the learning

Once you have your pattern block pictures, you can extend the learning further. Ask questions like, “how can you make this twice as large?” or “how can you make it look like there are apples in the tree?”

Practice 2D shapes

Work with shapes using the pattern blocks! You can also ask kids questions such as “how can you make a square using triangles?” or “how can you make a hexagon with trapezoids?”

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More Pattern Block Activities You’ll Love:

More STEM Challenges:

• STEM Building Challenges for the Classroom
• Cloud Dough Igloo Building Challenge
• Play Dough Race Car
• Building Block Challenge Cards
• LEGO Challenge Cards