Doodle Pattern Tiles

What you need

• Paper, 4 sheets
• Crayons or markers, 1 black pen or fine marker per person
• Pencil, 1 per person
• Ruler, 1 per person
• Phone, 1, for calm music (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Set up a quiet spot with good light and clear the table. Keep pens away from clothes and furniture, since ink can stain.

1. Draw a coaster-sized square on your paper with a pencil.
2. Draw three or four loose curvy lines across your square.
3. Pick a different pattern for each section.
   Ask: Which patterns will you choose, and which section do you think will look the coolest?
4. Trace over your pencil lines with the pen.
5. Fill one section with its pattern, one small shape at a time.
6. Fill the other sections, with calm music playing.
7. Turn your tile around and look at it from every side.
   Ask: Does it look different when you turn it? Which way is your favorite?
8. Make three more tiles and lay all four side by side.
9. Show your tiles to someone, or make a new set! What will your next tile look like?
   Ask: What new pattern could you invent for your next tile?

Play it again

• Swap tiles: trade a half-finished tile with a friend and fill in their sections.
• Color pop: add one bright marker color to just one pattern on each tile.
• Big picture: draw a large square and split it with six curvy lines.