X Tables
Super Mario Maker Maths

Super Mario Maker coin trails maths mission

A practical mini-mission using coin trails to practise patterns through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.

Quick answer

You can use Super Mario Maker coin trails to learn about patterns, repeating sequences, and number relationships by collecting coins in specific orders and counting them.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to spot, copy, and continue simple patterns using coins in Super Mario Maker, and explain how patterns help you count and solve problems. Success signs:
  • You can make a pattern of coins (like 1, 2, 1, 2) and continue it.
  • You can count how many coins you need to complete a pattern.
  • You can explain how patterns help you find answers more quickly.
  • You can use a pattern to solve a simple maths problem, like "How many coins do I need for 4 steps?"

Why this matters

Patterns are everywhere in life and games. When you play Super Mario Maker, you can use patterns to make your coin trails more exciting and to help you count coins quickly. Patterns help you solve puzzles, plan your next move, and even guess what comes next. In real life, you use patterns when you count money, follow a recipe, or even play football. Learning to see patterns helps you think more clearly and solve problems faster.

How it works

Patterns are repeating sequences of numbers, shapes, or actions. In Super Mario Maker, you can make coin trails that follow a pattern. Here’s how to make a simple pattern:
  1. Choose two or three coins to repeat.
  2. Place them in a sequence like: coin 1, coin 2, coin 1, coin 2.
  3. Count how many coins you use each time you repeat the pattern.
  4. Keep going to make a longer trail.
You can also make patterns with numbers, like 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. This pattern shows even numbers and helps you count by 2s.

Examples you can see

Let’s say you’re making a coin trail with 2 coins: a red coin and a blue coin. You can make this pattern:
  • Red coin
  • Blue coin
  • Red coin
  • Blue coin
This pattern repeats every 2 coins. You can count how many coins you use to make one full pattern: 2 coins. Here’s a longer trail with the same pattern:
  • Red coin
  • Blue coin
  • Red coin
  • Blue coin
  • Red coin
  • Blue coin
  • Red coin
  • Blue coin
You used 8 coins in total. You can count by 2s to find the total: 2, 4, 6, 8.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Coin Trail Challenge You are a Super Mario Maker hero, and your mission is to collect coins in a special pattern to unlock a secret level. You have a trail that starts with 3 coins: 1 red, 1 blue, 1 green. You must continue this pattern to make a trail of 12 coins.
  1. Step 1: Start with red, blue, green.
  2. Step 2: Repeat the pattern again: red, blue, green.
  3. Step 3: Repeat one more time: red, blue, green.
  4. Step 4: Count how many coins you have used.
How many coins did you use in total? Answer: 12 coins Now, let’s make a new pattern with 4 coins: 1 yellow, 1 purple, 1 yellow, 1 purple.
  1. Step 1: Yellow, purple, yellow, purple.
  2. Step 2: Yellow, purple, yellow, purple.
  3. Step 3: Yellow, purple, yellow, purple.
  4. Step 4: How many coins did you use?
Answer: 12 coins You can also try this with different numbers of coins and patterns to see how many you can make.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to repeat the pattern correctly.
    Why it happens: Children might get confused about what comes next in the pattern.
    Fix: Use a visual aid, like drawing the pattern or using real coins to show the order.
  • Mistake: Counting the coins wrong when making a long trail.
    Why it happens: It’s easy to lose track when counting a lot of items.
    Fix: Count by 2s or 3s to keep track. For example, if your pattern is red, blue, red, blue, count 2, 4, 6, 8.
  • Mistake: Thinking that all patterns must be numbers.
    Why it happens: Some children think patterns only happen with numbers.
    Fix: Show that patterns can be made with shapes, colours, or actions too.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Encouraging children to make their own coin patterns and ask questions like, “What comes next?”
  • Using everyday objects like buttons, toys, or blocks to make patterns together.
  • Practising counting by 2s, 3s, or 4s to help with longer patterns.
  • Letting children explain how they made a pattern and what they learned.
  • Not worrying if they make a mistake — it’s part of learning!
You can also play a quick game: “Can you make a pattern with 5 coins?” or “What comes next in this pattern?” These questions help children think about patterns in a fun way.

Practice questions

  1. Make a pattern with 2 coins: red, blue, red, blue. How many coins do you need to make 4 steps?
  2. What is the next coin in this pattern: 1 yellow, 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 green, ?
  3. If you make a pattern with 3 coins: 1 red, 1 blue, 1 green, how many coins do you need for 5 steps?
  4. Make a pattern with 4 coins: 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 yellow. How many coins for 3 steps?
  5. Count the coins in this pattern: 1 purple, 1 orange, 1 purple, 1 orange, 1 purple, 1 orange. How many coins?
Answers:
  1. 8 coins
  2. Yellow coin
  3. 15 coins
  4. 12 coins
  5. 6 coins

FAQ

What is a pattern in Super Mario Maker?

A pattern is a repeated sequence of coins, shapes, or actions. You can make a pattern like red coin, blue coin, red coin, blue coin.

How can patterns help me count coins?

Patterns help you count faster because you know what comes next. If you know the pattern is red, blue, red, blue, you can count by 2s to find how many coins you have.

Can I use patterns with shapes too?

Yes! You can make patterns with shapes, colours, or even sounds. For example, a pattern could be circle, square, circle, square.

How do I know how many coins I need for a pattern?

Count how many coins are in one full pattern, then multiply by how many times you repeat it. For example, if one pattern has 3 coins and you repeat it 4 times, you need 12 coins.

Can I use this idea in real life?

Yes! Patterns are everywhere. You can use them when you count money, follow a recipe, or even play board games. Patterns help you solve problems and make things more fun.