Where is patterns hiding in LEGO Games pattern walls?

Quick answer

In LEGO Games pattern walls, patterns are hidden in repeating brick arrangements. You can find these patterns by looking for a group of bricks that repeats over and over again, like red-blue-red-blue or 2 green bricks followed by 1 yellow brick.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to find, copy, and continue repeating patterns using LEGO bricks, just like you see in LEGO Games pattern walls.

• You can spot a repeating pattern in a row of LEGO bricks.
• You can copy a pattern by repeating the same sequence of bricks.
• You can predict what comes next in a pattern.
• You can make your own pattern and challenge a friend to continue it.

Why this matters

Patterns are everywhere in our world – from the tiles on the floor to the way flowers grow in rows. In LEGO Games pattern walls, you’re not just playing – you’re learning to see and create patterns, which helps you understand how things repeat and grow. This skill is used in maths, music, art, and even in designing games and buildings. When you spot a pattern, you’re thinking like a mathematician!

How it works

Patterns are made of repeating parts. Each part is called a unit of repeat. To find a pattern:

1. Look at a row of bricks.
2. Find the smallest group that repeats.
3. Repeat that group to continue the pattern.

For example, if you see a pattern like red-blue-red-blue, the unit of repeat is red-blue. You can then continue the pattern by adding another red-blue.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re looking at a LEGO pattern wall. Here are some examples:

You can also make your own patterns using LEGO bricks. Try this:

1. Place 2 red bricks, then 1 blue brick.
2. Repeat this group: red, red, blue.
3. Keep going to build a long pattern wall!

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you’re a LEGO pattern detective! You’ve been hired to find the secret patterns in a LEGO Games pattern wall. Here’s your mission:

1. Look at the pattern wall and find a repeating sequence.
2. Draw what the pattern looks like.
3. Write the unit of repeat in words.
4. Use your LEGO bricks to build the next 2 sections of the pattern.

For example, if you see a pattern like blue, red, red, blue, red, red:

• Unit of repeat: blue, red, red
• Next 2 sections: blue, red, red and blue, red, red

Can you find the pattern and continue it?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking the pattern is the whole row instead of the repeating unit.
  Why it happens: It's easy to get confused when a pattern looks long.
  Fix: Look for the smallest group that repeats over and over.
• Mistake: Adding the wrong bricks when continuing the pattern.
  Why it happens: Not carefully copying the unit of repeat.
  Fix: Count the bricks in the unit and copy them exactly.
• Mistake: Not noticing that a pattern can be made with more than 2 bricks.
  Why it happens: Thinking patterns must be simple.
  Fix: Patterns can be any length, as long as they repeat.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:

• Encouraging them to look for patterns in everyday life, like in their clothing, floor tiles, or a row of flowers.
• Using LEGO bricks to make patterns together and asking questions like, “What comes next?”
• Letting them create their own patterns and challenge you to continue them.
• Noticing when they get confused and gently reminding them to look for the repeating unit.
• Practising with short patterns first, then moving to longer ones as they get more confident.

Remember, it's okay if they make mistakes – that's how they learn!

Practice questions

1. Look at this pattern: Yellow, Blue, Yellow, Blue. What is the unit of repeat?
2. What comes next in this pattern: Green, Green, Red, Green, Green, Red?
3. Make a pattern using 3 different brick colours. What is the unit of repeat?
4. Continue this pattern: Red, Yellow, Blue, Red, Yellow, Blue.
5. Can you make a pattern that has 4 bricks in the unit of repeat?

Answers:

1. Yellow, Blue
2. Green, Green, Red
3. Answers will vary. Example: Red, Blue, Green, Red, Blue, Green. Unit of repeat: Red, Blue, Green
4. Red, Yellow, Blue
5. Example: Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Blue, Green

FAQ

What is a pattern?

A pattern is a sequence of things that repeat in the same order. In LEGO Games, this could be a row of bricks that goes red, blue, red, blue, red, blue.

Why are patterns important in maths?

Patterns help us understand how things grow and repeat. They’re used in counting, addition, multiplication, and even in more advanced maths like algebra and geometry.

Can patterns be made with any number of bricks?

Yes! Patterns can be made with 2, 3, 4, or even more bricks. As long as the same sequence repeats, it’s a pattern.

How can I help my child at home?

You can help by playing pattern games with LEGO bricks, pointing out patterns in your home or garden, and encouraging them to make their own patterns and challenge you to continue them.

What if my child gets confused?

It's normal to get confused at first. Help by asking them to point to the repeating part, and remind them to count the bricks in that part to make sure they're copying it correctly.