Preschool shape patterns worksheets
Shape patterns worksheets for preschool: five rows of circles, squares and triangles that repeat, like circle, square, circle, square, with an empty box at the end. Your child says the shapes, finds the part that repeats and draws the shape that comes next. Every row repeats at least twice before the box, so only one shape fits.
Free printable PDF worksheet.
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The shapes in the patterns
Say the shapes in each row. Draw the shape that comes next in the empty box.
CircleSquareTriangle
Each row repeats a pattern made of these shapes at least twice, then leaves an empty box. Your child draws the shape that comes next. The key draws it in and names it.
Every print pulls a new set of patterns at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.
What's on a preschool sheet
- Shape patterns. Say the shapes in each row. Draw the shape that comes next in the empty box. 5 patterns per page.
Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.
How to teach this
Start with a pattern your child can hear. Clap, stomp, clap, stomp, and ask what comes next. Then move to the sheet and say each row out loud together, pointing to every shape. When you get to the box, keep the rhythm going and let your child say the next shape before drawing it. The circle, square and triangle are the only shapes on this sheet, all three easy to draw. A shape that's easy to recognize is the right answer, even if it's wobbly.
Watch for: Drawing the first shape of the row instead of the next one. Have your child say the whole row aloud and keep going past the last shape into the box. Reading circle, circle, square as circle, square. A child who looks at pairs misses the double. Saying every shape aloud, one at a time, makes it easy to hear. Worrying about a neat drawing. A wobbly circle is still a circle. The answer is which shape comes next, not how well it is drawn.
Common questions about preschool shape patterns
- What is an AB pattern?
- Two things taking turns, like circle, square, circle, square. AAB is two of one and one of the other, like circle, circle, square. This sheet uses AB, AAB and ABB, all made from the circle, square and triangle.
- Why does my child draw the answer instead of circling it?
- Drawing it means your child has to know which shape comes next. Circling one of three choices can be a lucky guess. And a circle, square or triangle is something a preschooler can draw.
- How do I know there is only one right answer?
- Every row repeats its pattern at least twice before the box. Once the repeating part is clear, only one shape can come next.
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Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated October 2026.
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