Tessellation is a fascinating mathematical concept that has been used in art for centuries. It’s the art of creating a pattern by repeating a shape in a way that covers a surface without any gaps or overlaps. This activity is not only enjoyable but also promotes critical thinking, creativity, and spatial reasoning skills. For these reasons, we’ve sourced 22 fun tessellation projects for kids that will keep them engaged for hours!
1. Paper Tessellations
Create intricate and beautiful designs by folding and cutting paper into repeated shapes that fit together without any gaps or overlaps. This activity is a fun way to explore geometry and patterns using simple materials like paper and scissors.
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2. Geometric Animal Tessellations
Combine art and math by creating animal-shaped tessellations. These tessellations are made by repeating animal shapes that fit seamlessly together. This activity promotes creativity and spatial reasoning skills by encouraging kids to explore different shapes and patterns.
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3. Mosaic Tessellations
Use small pieces of paper or tiles to create a mosaic-style tessellation. This activity requires patience and precision as kids carefully arrange the pieces to create a repeating pattern. Mosaic tessellations can be made in a variety of shapes and colors; making them a great way to explore color theory and design!
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4. Shape Hunt Tessellations
Go on a shape hunt and identify shapes that can be used to create a tessellation. This activity promotes observation and critical thinking skills as kids look for shapes in their surroundings that can be combined to create repeating patterns.
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5. Lego Tessellations
Use Lego blocks to create unique tessellations. This activity promotes creativity and spatial reasoning by encouraging kids to experiment with different Lego shapes and colors to create a striking pattern.
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6. Tangram Tessellations
Use tangram pieces to create a tessellation. Tangrams are traditional Chinese puzzles made using seven geometric shapes that can be combined to form a square. This activity promotes creativity and problem-solving skills as kids experiment with different ways to fit the shapes together to create a repeating pattern.
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7. Pattern Blocks Tessellations
Use pattern blocks to create tessellations. Pattern blocks are a set of geometric shapes that can be used to create a variety of designs.
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8. Foam Shapes Tessellations
Use foam shapes to create a tessellation. This activity is a fun and tactile way to explore geometry and patterns using soft, colorful foam shapes that can be easily arranged and rearranged to create different visual stimuli.
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9. Sticker Tessellations
Try using stickers to create a captivating motif! This activity promotes creativity and fine motor skills as kids carefully arrange their stickers to create a pattern of irregular shapes.
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10. Mixed Media Tessellations
Use a combination of materials such as paper, stickers, and foam shapes to create a mixed media tessellation. This activity promotes creativity and experimentation as kids explore different ways to combine materials to create varied figures.
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11. Symmetrical Tessellations
Create a symmetrical tessellation using one shape. This activity promotes symmetry and pattern recognition skills as kids experiment with different ways to combine shapes to create identical shapes that are symmetrical from a central point.
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12. 3D Tessellations
Create a 3D tessellation using cubes or other 3D shapes. This activity promotes spatial reasoning skills as kids experiment with different ways to fit 3D shapes together to create a striking pattern.
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13. Textile Tessellations
Create a textile tessellation using fabric scraps and ink. Call upon your kid’s creative side and help them develop sewing skills with this fun activity.
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14. Nature-Inspired Tessellations
Look to nature for inspiration and create a tessellation using natural materials such as leaves, flowers, or rocks. This activity promotes observation and critical thinking skills as kids look for patterns in nature that can then be recreated on paper.
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15. Fractal Tessellations
Create a fractal tessellation using geometric patterns that get smaller and smaller as they are repeated. This activity promotes an understanding of fractals and the underlying mathematical principles that govern their creation.
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16. Shaded Tessellations
Create a tessellation using shading techniques to add depth and dimension to the design. This activity promotes an understanding of light and shadow and teaches learners how these two elements can be used to create the illusion of depth in a 2D design.
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17. Origami Tessellations
Create a tessellation using origami techniques to fold and manipulate paper. This task encourages patience and precision as kids carefully fold and crease paper to create repetitive patterns.
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18. Digital Tessellations
Use digital tools such as graphic design software or online tessellation generators to create a tessellation. This activity promotes digital literacy and computer skills as kids learn how to use digital tools to create art.
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19. Mixed Reality Tessellations
Use augmented or virtual reality to create a tessellation in a mixed-reality environment. This activity promotes an understanding of emerging technologies and how they can be used to create art. Students will love immersing themselves in an other-worldly experience!
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20. Collaborative Tessellations
Work with a group to create a large-scale, collaborative tessellation. This activity promotes teamwork and cooperation as kids work together to create a complex and multi-layered design. Students can color their patterns of shapes using crayons and then glue them into place alongside other peers’ work.
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21. Interactive Tessellations
Create a tessellation that can be manipulated or transformed in some way. This activity promotes an understanding of interactive design and how it can be used to create engaging art experiences.
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22. Upcycled Tessellations
Create a tessellation using upcycled materials such as cardboard, paper tubes, or plastic bottles. This activity promotes an understanding of sustainability and how we can use materials that might otherwise be discarded to create art.
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