Pattern Worksheets
Updated October 2026 · 8 free printables
What comes next? Pattern worksheets for preschool and kindergarten with AB, AAB, ABB, ABC and AABB patterns: fruit rows, shape and color rows, caterpillars to color, bead necklaces, pattern trains and growing patterns.
Two cut-and-paste pages add scissor practice: kids cut out the pictures at the bottom and glue each one where it finishes the pattern. Every page comes with an answer key.
All 8 Pattern Worksheets, One by One
Here is a closer look at every page in this collection, with who it's best for and a coloring idea for each one.
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1. What Comes Next? Fruit Patterns
Six rows of colorful fruit in AB, AAB, ABB, ABC and AABB patterns. Kids say the pattern out loud and draw the fruit that comes next. The answer key is on page 2. Little ones can do most of it with crayons, and a grown-up can read the short questions aloud.
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2. What Comes Next? Shape and Color Patterns
Seven rows of colored circles, squares, triangles, stars, hearts and more. Some rows change the shape, some only the color, and the last rows use three and four shapes. The answer key is on page 2. It is made for pre-K and preschool, roughly ages 4 to 5, with big pictures and one number per page.
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3. Caterpillar Color Patterns
Five friendly caterpillars with color patterns on their bodies. Kids read the colors from the head to the tail and color the blank last segment. The answer key is on page 2. Little ones can do most of it with crayons, and a grown-up can read the short questions aloud.
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4. Cut and Paste Patterns: Garden Bugs
Five bug pattern rows with an empty box at the end, and five bug pictures at the bottom to cut out and glue in place. Great scissor practice too. The answer key is on page 2. It is made for pre-K and preschool, roughly ages 4 to 5, with big pictures and one number per page.
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5. Bead Necklace Patterns
Five bead necklaces with shape and color patterns (AB, ABB, AAB, ABC and AABB). Kids draw the next bead on the string. The answer key is on page 2. It suits ages 4 to 6, and little ones can count the pictures with a finger.
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6. Pattern Train: What Comes Next?
Four pattern trains carrying farm animals, toys and sea animals. The last car is empty: kids draw who rides in it. The answer key is on page 2. Big pictures and only a few tasks per page make it a gentle start for kindergartners.
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7. Growing Patterns: What Comes Next?
Growing and shrinking patterns: block towers, pairs of dots, flower petals, a row of hearts that gets shorter and squares that grow. A first step toward counting on and skip counting. The answer key is on page 2. Big pictures and only a few tasks per page make it a gentle start for kindergartners.
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8. Cut and Paste Patterns: Sweet Treats
Cupcakes, donuts, lollipops, ice cream and cookies in five pattern rows. Kids cut out the five treats at the bottom and glue each one in the right row. The answer key is on page 2. It suits ages 4 to 6, and little ones can count the pictures with a finger.
Tips for coloring Pattern Worksheets
- Point to each item and say it out loud, then say what comes next before drawing it.
- Name the pattern with letters once your child gets it: red, yellow is an AB pattern.
- Use real objects (blocks, buttons, snacks) to build the same pattern before doing the page.
Fun facts about Pattern Worksheets
- The smallest part that repeats in a pattern is called the core or unit, like pear, pear, cherries.
- Patterns are everywhere in nature: zebra stripes, sunflower seeds and the days of the week all repeat.
- Music is full of patterns too; clapping a rhythm is a great way to feel an AB or AAB pattern.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Make a pattern necklace with pasta or cereal loops after the bead page.
- Clap, stomp, clap, stomp: act out a pattern and let your child continue it.
- Invite your child to draw their own pattern train and challenge you to finish it.
How to print
Click Download PDF on any page and print it at 100% on US Letter or A4 paper. Use regular printer paper for crayons and pencils, or cardstock for markers and paint. Every page here is free for home, classroom and party use, so feel free to print as many copies as you need.
Frequently asked questions
What is an AB pattern?
Two things that take turns, like apple, banana, apple, banana. AAB means two of the first thing and then one of the second: pear, pear, cherries.
Why are patterns important for math?
Spotting and continuing a pattern is early algebra: kids learn to find a rule and use it to predict what comes next. It also leads into skip counting.
How can I help if my child is stuck?
Read the row out loud together, clapping on each picture. Hearing the rhythm (red, yellow, red, yellow) makes the next item easy to guess.
What are growing patterns?
Patterns that change by the same amount each step, like towers of 1, 2, 3 and 4 blocks. Kindergarten pages include them along with one shrinking pattern.