# Pattern Blocks

Canonical: https://manipulatives.org/manipulatives/pattern-blocks/

Geometric pieces for building shapes, exploring symmetry, and comparing parts of a whole.

![Six standard wooden pattern block shapes in yellow, red, blue, green, orange, and natural wood](https://manipulatives.org/_astro/pattern-blocks-hero.RbyE2X9R.png)

Published: 2026-10-09
Reviewed: 2026-10-09

Topics: geometry, fractions, patterns-and-algebra

## What they teach

### Shape composition

Combine smaller pieces to make larger shapes, then find another way to cover the same outline.

### Parts of a whole

Choose a whole and compare the areas covered by triangles, rhombuses, and trapezoids.

### Patterns and symmetry

Repeat, rotate, and reflect pieces to create and describe designs.

## How to use them

1. **Explore the shapes.** Sort a handful of blocks. Compare sides and corners, turning pieces to check your ideas.

2. **Build and compare.** Cover a hexagon with other pieces without gaps or overlaps. Find at least two solutions.

3. **Explain the relationships.** Describe how the pieces fit. Name the whole before writing any fraction labels.

## Try an activity: Make a mirror design

Place a strip of paper as a mirror line. Build a design on one side, then reflect every piece across the line. Check distances and orientations, not just matching colors.

## The whole matters

With a standard yellow hexagon as one whole, the green triangle is one sixth, the blue rhombus is one third, and the red trapezoid is one half. Place pieces over the hexagon to check each relationship. These are area comparisons: the pieces must cover the same region without gaps or overlaps. [The Math Learning Center illustrates these standard relationships](https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/PBLCCSS35-0412w.pdf).

The orange square and narrow tan rhombus do not fit this same simple family of hexagon fractions. Keep them available for shape work, but choose pieces deliberately for a first fractions task.

A design can also be a conversation starter. Ask which pieces could be exchanged while leaving its outline unchanged. The answer gives a learner something concrete to point to as they explain equivalence.

## Choose your toolkit

Look for standard, compatible shape proportions and enough repeated triangles, rhombuses, and trapezoids for comparison. Large sets suit shared designs; a smaller set can serve one learner.

- [Learning Resources Plastic Pattern Blocks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004WKPP) — A 250-piece set of thin plastic pieces for flat designs, symmetry, and fraction comparisons.

- [Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards (120 tiles)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006JZCG) — Explore shape composition and pattern puzzles with 120 colored wooden tiles, five double-sided puzzle boards, and a storage box.

### Manipulatives app

The preview shows pattern blocks arranged into a design. Compare edges, look for symmetry, or discuss how smaller pieces make a larger shape.

[Explore the app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/manipulatives-hands-on-math/id6780701668)

## Related tools

- [Tangrams](https://manipulatives.org/manipulatives/tangrams/)
- [Geoboards](https://manipulatives.org/manipulatives/geoboards/)
- [Fraction Tiles](https://manipulatives.org/manipulatives/fraction-tiles/)

## Sources

- [Pattern Block Lessons, Grades 3–5](https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/PBLCCSS35-0412w.pdf) — Standard pattern-block area relationships when the hexagon is one whole.