Number patterns in the street

Number patterns are everywhere! Recognising them is a great game for your child to play.

They can explore number patterns by going for a walk with you. One of the simplest patterns is odd and even numbers. So, take a walk and discover them!

By doing this activity children can start to learn about patterns in numbers.

Note that this game works in a residential area, but not in the countryside.

What do I need?

• All you need is yourself and your child.
• A street with house numbers in normal sequence.

How do I do it?

1. Go for a walk in your neighbourhood and ask your child to take notice of the house numbers (normally on the letterbox).
2. Talk about how house numbers are not in the usual order. On one side of the street they go 2, 4, 6, 8, 10…, while on the other side they go 1, 3, 5, 7, 9….
3. Once your child has picked up the pattern. Ask: “What’s the next house number going to be?” Encourage them to count on by two.
4. The pattern of even numbers may stick with them if you adapt the popular chant that counts in twos.

‘Two, four, six, eight – who do we appreciate?  EVEN NUMBERS!  Don’t forget ZERO’. 

• Once they have the hang of it, you can ask your child questions such as:
• What is our house number?
• What are our neighbours’ house numbers?
• Write down as many odd numbers as you can starting at one. What patterns do you notice?
• Can you make a rhyme for the odd numbers?

No-one knows your child better than you.  So, choose and/or adapt ideas here to best suit you and your child. Remember it’s the talking and time spent together that matters most.