Build a Bunny with Pattern Blocks: A Hands-On Kindergarten Math Center

Build a Bunny with Pattern Blocks: A Hands-On Math Center Kids LOVE

Looking for a math center that builds spatial reasoning, shape recognition, math talk and keeps your kinders completely engaged?

Let me introduce you to Build a Bunny Pattern Block Activity Cards 🐰

Using standard wooden pattern blocks (the ones you already have in your classroom), students recreate adorable bunny designs shown on the cards. Each bunny is made from familiar shapes — hexagons, trapezoids, triangles, rhombuses — arranged in creative ways to form the cutest little rabbits.

And yes… each card includes a sweet bunny face for extra engagement. Because if we can make math adorable, why wouldn’t we?

Why Teachers Love It

This activity is simple to prep and incredibly versatile.

You can:

• Set a goal: “Complete 3 bunny cards today.”
• Use it as an independent math center.
• Pair students for collaborative shape building.
• Rotate through cards across the week.
• Use it as a fast-finisher activity.

Because students are building with concrete materials, they’re naturally practicing:

• Shape recognition
• Composing and decomposing shapes
• Spatial reasoning
• Fine motor skills
• Mathematical vocabulary

And the best part? They don’t even realize how much math they’re doing.

Encourage Math Talk (The Good Stuff!)

This activity is perfect for meaningful partner conversations.

Try prompts like:

• “How are our bunnies different?”
• “Which shapes did you use the most?”
• “Can you build it another way?”
• “How many triangles are in your bunny?”
• “Do we have the same number of blocks?”

Have students build two different bunnies and compare them.

Or build the same bunny and check for accuracy.

You can even challenge them to:

• Count how many shapes are used in one bunny.
• Compare two bunnies and find the difference.
• Sort shapes after building.

Suddenly you’ve got counting, comparing, and early problem-solving happening naturally.

Make It a Math Story

Here’s a favorite extension:

• Have students build 3 bunnies and create a bunny family.

Then:

• Count how many total blocks are in the bunny family.

Write a simple math story in their writing journal.

For example:

“There were 3 bunny friends. Each bunny had 6 blocks. There were 18 blocks in all.”

Or:

“One bunny hopped away. Now there are 2 bunnies left.”

Hands-on math + writing integration = teacher win.

Quick Craft Extension Included

The resource also includes a quick math craft version!

Students:

• Color the bunny
• Cut it out
• Practice fine motor skills
• Work on shape awareness
• Create an adorable classroom display

It’s perfect for:

• Spring bulletin boards
• Math night displays
• A center rotation
• Early finisher work

You can even extend the creativity by having students:

• Trace pattern block shapes onto paper
• Cut out their own shapes
• Design a bunny of their own invention
• Now they’re not just building — they’re creating.

Why It Works in Kindergarten

Pattern blocks are familiar. The expectations are clear. The task is achievable.

But the learning? It runs deep.

Students are:

• Visualizing shapes in new ways
• Understanding how shapes fit together
• Practicing perseverance
• Talking about math naturally

And because the bunnies are just so cute, engagement stays high.

If you’d like to add this hands-on math center to your classroom, you can check it out here:

Build a Bunny Pattern Block Math Center Activity
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Blocks-Build-a-Bunny-Math-Center-Activity-Quick-Craft-13019242

It’s low prep, high engagement, and a sweet way to bring shape exploration to life.