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There are some toys in our toy room that get used a lot, not just by my 3 year old but also by me in learning activities. One of those toys is our Jolly B For Kids Rainbow Blocks.

These wooden stackable blocks play with colour and light to make a fun addition to our block collection. But they are also great tools to use to practice shapes, colour and more!

Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

Supplies:

Rainbow Blocks
Kraft paper
Marker

Rainbow

Set Up:

There is a little bit of prep involved in this activity. While your child is engaged in something else or the night before you want to do this activity, create three different shape patters by tracing the Rainbow Blocks. For toddlers stick with two shape patterns. For preschoolers and older children you can do more complicated shape patterns.

Collect all the Rainbow Blocks that will be used in a small container. I used what I call our “small sensory bin” but is actually a rather large Tupperware container!

I pointed out the first shape in the pattern and ask her what it was and if she could find it in the pile of Rainbow Blocks.

I continued to ask her what each shape was as she went, as well to bring to her attention the repetition or pattern that she was creating.

Extend the learning

Using the Rainbow Blocks in this way also will allow you to also talk about colours. My daughter at 3 years old, called out the colours and shapes as she picked up each block. Looking through them to see what colour it made everything appear!

Furthermore, not only is this activity great for practicing shapes for younger toddlers it is also great for spacial awareness for older toddlers and preschoolers as they will have to turn and flip the Rainbow Blocks around to get them to match the traced shape.

Keep at it!

Teaching patterns can be frustrating at first but keep at it as they will eventually get it. This structured pattern creating activity is a great way to practice.

Make patterns on her own

After we completed this activity I had her create patterns using the same shapes on her own. Then I jumped in and tried to finish her pattern incorrectly, she quickly jumped in herself to correct my mistake. She loved doing this!

Total Hit

I am always worried that she will catch on to my learning activities and get turned off but this was a complete hit and we have done it several times since!