Pattern doodles are simple repeated marks, like dots, stripes, zigzags, swirls and scales, used to fill a shape instead of one flat color. They make big, boring areas fun, they're perfect for children who like detail, and there's no wrong way to do them. Pick a pattern, repeat it to the edge of the shape, and color it in or leave it black and white.
Below: ten patterns to start with, how to combine them, and a few games.
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Ten pattern doodles to start with
| Pattern | How | Great for |
|---|---|---|
| Dots | Even dots, or big and small mixed | Mushrooms, scarves, skies |
| Stripes | Straight lines, thick and thin | Clothes, walls, tails |
| Zigzags | Sharp up-and-down lines | Grass, roofs, borders |
| Waves | Soft, rolling lines | Water, hills, hair |
| Swirls | Small spirals, close together | Clouds, bushes, wind |
| Scales | Rows of small half-circles | Roofs, fish, dragons |
| Checks | A grid with every other square filled | Blankets, floors, flags |
| Bricks | Offset rectangles | Walls, paths, chimneys |
| Petals | Tiny flowers of five loops | Dresses, fields, frames |
| Stars | Small stars and dots | Night skies, gift wrap |
How to fill a shape with a pattern
- Choose the shape: a big, plain area works best, like a wall, a blanket or a sky.
- Choose one pattern. One per shape keeps the picture readable.
- Start in the middle and work out to the edges, or along one edge across.
- Let the pattern meet the line: marks can stop at the outline, or tuck neatly under it.
- Color or not: fill the gaps in one color, color the marks themselves, or leave it black and white.
Combining patterns
- Neighbor rule: next to a busy pattern, put a plain area or a calm one (dots next to stripes, not swirls next to checks).
- Same family: all-round patterns (dots, swirls, scales) look gentle together; all-straight ones (stripes, checks, bricks) look bold.
- Frame it: a zigzag or petal border around the whole page pulls everything together.
Pattern games
- Pattern dice: number six patterns, roll a die, use that one for the next shape.
- Swap patterns: each person invents a new pattern and teaches it to the others.
- One pattern, many colors: fill everything with dots, but change color in each shape. Dot markers make this one fast.
- Finish the pattern: one person starts a pattern, the other continues it.
Fine tips make patterns crisp. These are the picks from our Creative Supplies shelves for it, with an honest note on each:
Tools for pattern doodles
| Pick | Best for | Good to know | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Fine tips for crisp patternsCrayola Ultra Clean Fine Tip Washable Markers, 40 Count
|
Fine tips for faces, patterns and small spaces | Slow for filling big areas | Currently unavailable on Amazon.com As of DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. |
Pencils to color in betweenCrayola Colored Pencils, 36 Count
|
36 shades, including useful in-betweens | Needs a sharpener eventually | $6.57 on Amazon.com Price as of DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. |
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Tap any name for our full write-up, including what it’s not good for.
Patterns are also a great way to fill big areas when a child doesn't feel like solid color, and they're the heart of our free color-your-own gift wrap idea.
Cheddo's Little Basket
Cheddo's basket becomes a tiny collection of village discoveries.
Print it freeTen more patterns for confident doodlers
| Pattern | How |
|---|---|
| Feathers | Overlapping U shapes with a center line |
| Rainbows | Nested arches, each a different color |
| Spirals with dots | A spiral, then a dot in each gap |
| Leaves on a vine | A wavy line with small leaves on each side |
| Triangles | Rows of triangles, alternating up and down |
| Circles in circles | Small target shapes packed together |
| Ladders | Two lines with rungs between them |
| Clouds | Rows of bumpy cloud shapes |
| Diamonds | A crisscross grid, every other diamond filled |
| Raindrops | Teardrop shapes falling at the same angle |
A pattern sampler
Fold a sheet of paper into eight boxes and fill each with a different pattern. It becomes a personal "pattern library" to look at when choosing how to fill a shape. Children love adding a new pattern each week, and the sampler shows their progress over time.
Patterns on a story page
On a free Meowelo scene, patterns work best in the places a real artist might use them: a blanket, a scarf, a wall, a garden bed, a kite tail. Leave faces and sky plain, so the picture still reads clearly. For a kite tail full of patterns, try The Rainbow Kite.
The Rainbow Kite
Lunai and Riyu turn a tangled kite tail into a meadow ribbon dance.
Print it freeCalm and focus
Many children find pattern doodling absorbing: the repetition gives their hands a rhythm while their mind wanders. It's an easy, low-pressure activity for quiet time.
If your child enjoys it, pattern doodling travels well: a small notebook and one fine-tip pen fit in any bag, and a page of patterns can fill a waiting room, a train ride or the minutes before dinner. Start a new page for each outing and date it. Over a few months, the notebook becomes a little record of where they've been and how their patterns have grown more confident and inventive.
Questions parents ask
What are pattern doodles?
What age are pattern doodles good for?
Is pattern doodling the same as Zentangle?
What pens are best for pattern doodles?
The one thing to remember
Any shape can be a pattern instead of a color. Start with dots and stripes, repeat to the edge, and let your child invent the rest.
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