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Maths Adventures

Fairground maths quest: patterns

A story-led junior maths adventure using rides, tickets and chance games to continue repeating and growing patterns.

Quick answer

Patterns are repeating or growing sequences that you can find everywhere, even in a fairground! You can see patterns on rides, in ticket prices, and in the games people play. By learning to spot and create patterns, you'll become a pattern detective!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to spot, copy, and create repeating and growing patterns using objects, numbers, and real-life fairground examples. Success signs:
  • You can identify what comes next in a pattern
  • You can make your own patterns with toys or drawings
  • You can describe patterns using words like "repeat", "grow", "add", or "subtract"
  • You can solve simple pattern puzzles or challenges

Why this matters

Patterns help us understand the world around us. In a fairground, patterns make rides more exciting, games more fun, and tickets more interesting. When you can spot patterns, you become a problem-solving superstar. Pattern skills help you with maths, music, science, and even reading! You'll notice patterns in your daily life, from the way you eat your lunch to the way your toys are arranged.

How it works

Patterns are sequences that follow a rule. There are two main types:
  • Repeating patterns - these repeat the same set of items over and over (like red, blue, green, red, blue, green)
  • Growing patterns - these get bigger or smaller in a predictable way (like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 2, 4, 6, 8)
To work with patterns, follow these simple steps:
  1. Look carefully at the first few items
  2. Find the rule (what changes or repeats)
  3. Use the rule to predict what comes next
  4. Test your prediction by continuing the pattern

Examples you can see

Let's look at some fairground patterns you can spot! Repeating Patterns on Rides On a carousel, you might see a pattern of:
  • Red horse, blue horse, yellow horse, red horse, blue horse, yellow horse
This pattern repeats the group "red, blue, yellow" over and over. Growing Patterns with Tickets If ticket prices go up by 50p each time, you might see:
  • £1.00, £1.50, £2.00, £2.50, £3.00
This pattern grows by adding 50p each time. Pattern Games In a ring toss game, you might see:
  • 1 point, 2 points, 3 points, 1 point, 2 points, 3 points
This pattern repeats the group "1, 2, 3" over and over. Building Patterns If you're building a fence with fairground decorations, you might use:
  • Blue balloon, red balloon, green balloon, blue balloon, red balloon, green balloon
This is a repeating pattern of three colours.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Pattern Detective's Mission You are a pattern detective on a fairground quest! Your mission is to find and solve patterns to win a special prize. Step 1: Look at the carousel horses. What pattern do you see? (Answer: Red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow) Step 2: Find the ticket machine. The prices are £1.00, £1.50, £2.00, £2.50, ? What comes next? (Answer: £3.00) Step 3: At the ring toss game, you score 1 point, 2 points, 3 points, 1 point, 2 points, 3 points, 1 point, 2 points, ? What comes next? (Answer: 3 points) Step 4: Build a pattern with your toys. Use 3 different types of toys to make a repeating pattern. (Example: Car, doll, ball, car, doll, ball) Step 5: Draw your own pattern in your notebook. What pattern could you make with 4 different shapes? Step 6: Challenge yourself! Can you make a growing pattern that starts with 1, 3, 5, 7, ? What comes next? (Answer: 9)

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking the pattern is "red, blue, yellow, red, blue" instead of "red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow" Why it happens: Looking too quickly and missing the last item in the repeating group Fix: Count the items in the repeating group carefully. How many items are in the group? (Answer: 3 items)
  • Mistake: Adding the wrong amount in a growing pattern Why it happens: Not noticing the difference between each step Fix: Write down the difference between each number. £1.00 to £1.50 is 50p, £1.50 to £2.00 is 50p
  • Mistake: Forgetting that patterns can be made with numbers, shapes, or objects Why it happens: Thinking patterns are only about numbers Fix: Look around you - what shapes, colours, or objects can you make a pattern with?

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child become a pattern detective in just 5-10 minutes:
  • Point out patterns in your daily life: "Look at the tiles on the floor - they go blue, red, blue, red"
  • Play pattern games together: Use buttons, blocks, or toys to make patterns
  • Ask questions like "What comes next?" or "Can you make a pattern with these shapes?"
  • Encourage your child to explain their pattern to you
  • Don't worry if they make mistakes - it's part of learning!
  • Notice when your child naturally creates patterns (like lining up toys or arranging snacks)
  • Use real-life examples like fairground rides, ticket prices, or games
  • Remember that patterns are about understanding rules, not just memorising
  • Make it fun - let your child create their own patterns

Practice questions

  1. What comes next in this pattern: red, blue, green, red, blue, green, ?
  2. Complete this growing pattern: 2, 4, 6, 8, ?
  3. What comes next in this pattern: circle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, ?
  4. Complete this growing pattern: 5, 10, 15, 20, ?
  5. What comes next in this pattern: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ?
  6. Complete this pattern: 10, 20, 30, 40, ?
  7. What comes next in this pattern: star, moon, sun, star, moon, sun, ?
Answers:
  1. Red
  2. 10
  3. Circle
  4. 25
  5. 11
  6. 50
  7. Star

FAQ

What is a pattern?

A pattern is a sequence that follows a rule. It can be repeating or growing, and it can be made with shapes, colours, numbers, or objects.

How do I know if a pattern is repeating or growing?

Repeating patterns use the same group over and over. Growing patterns change each time - they get bigger or smaller in a predictable way.

Why are patterns important?

Patterns help us understand the world, solve problems, and predict what comes next. They are used in maths, science, music, art, and even in nature!

Can patterns be made with anything?

Yes! Patterns can be made with any objects or ideas you can think of - shapes, colours, numbers, sounds, actions, or even words.

How can I practice patterns at home?

You can make patterns with toys, draw them, use your fingers, count objects, or even make patterns with your footsteps. Try to find patterns in your everyday life!