DIY Tessellation Template

Tessellation Template Header Images

Today we have a fun tessellation art activity for you. Simply put, tessellations are arrangements of shapes closely fitted together, in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping. Often, you'll see tessellation patterns made from polygons, but other shapes can fit together in tessellations too.

Here, we'll show you how to make your own tessellation template, so that your repeating pattern fits together. Watch our short video, or scroll down for a written explanation:

To create your own tessellation template, you will need:

  • a square of paper or card, roughly 10x10cm in size
  • a pair of scissors
  • some sticky tape

To create your template, start by cutting a shape from one side of your square, and sticking it to the opposite side. Optionally, you can repeat this with the other two sides of your square.

Now your template is ready, all your have to do is trace around it on a large sheet of drawing paper, to create your tessellation pattern. Finish off your artwork by colouring in the shapes.

Maths skills involved: shapes, patterns, tessellation, spatial reasoning

Latest News and Events

News

How to Play Threes Away

We love a good dice game! If you travel with some dice in your pocket, you'll never be bored, there's so much you can do with them. Today's game Threes Away requires five dice - you'll also need to think strategically, and it encourages number recognition too.

News

Strategy Games: How to Play Queah

Learn how to play Queah - a strategy game from Liberia.

28th Sep
Event

Science Saturday at the National Museum of Scotland

Hawthornden Court, National Museum of Scotland | | Free
Celebrate Maths Tales at the National Museum of Scotland with our Science Saturday