1
Around the Edge
Thread through the holes closest to the outside edge and see whether you can travel all the way around the card.
More Ways To Play With Your Wooden Threading Cards
There is no single correct way to use your threading cards. Try different routes, invent patterns and adapt the activities to suit the child’s interests and confidence.
Threading Challenges
10 ideas
Colour and Pattern Activities
6 ideas
Shape and Number Play
6 ideas
Creative Activities
6 ideas
Partner and Group Activities
5 ideas
THREAD • SORT • COUNT • MATCH • CREATE
A collection of 33 simple ideas for home, classroom and early-years play.
Threading Challenges
10 ideas
2
Zig-Zag
Move from one side of the card to the other, creating a large zig-zag pattern.
3
Across the Middle
Choose two opposite sides and thread straight across the card.
4
Shape Within a Shape
Use the inner holes to create a smaller circle, triangle, square or other shape inside the card.
5
Criss-Cross
Thread diagonally across the card so the lace crosses over itself.
6
Spiral Inwards
Begin near the outside and gradually work towards the middle.
7
Mirror Pattern
Create a pattern on one half of the card, then try to repeat it on the other side.
8
Fill Every Hole
See whether you can use every threading hole at least once.
9
Use the Fewest Holes
Travel from one side of the card to the other using as few holes as possible.
10
Make Your Own Picture
Use the lace to create a letter, number, face, flower, star or completely imaginary design.
Colour and Pattern Activities
6 ideas
11
Two-Colour Threading
Use two different lace colours on the same card.
12
Colour Sequence
Create a repeating colour pattern, such as red – green – red – green, or blue – blue – yellow.
13
Copy My Pattern
One person creates a threading pattern for someone else to copy.
14
Finish the Pattern
Begin a simple pattern, then ask the child to work out what should come next.
15
Pattern Memory
Look carefully at a completed pattern, remove the lace and try to recreate it from memory.
16
Spot the Difference
Create two similar patterns with one small difference. Can the child find what has changed?
Shape and Number Play
6 ideas
17
Count the Holes
Count all the threading holes or count only the holes used in the finished pattern.
18
Count the Features
Depending on the design, count sides, corners, wings, feet, eyes, shell sections or engraved patterns.
19
Find the Shape
Search the room for an object with the same shape as the card. For example, a plate for the circle, a window for the rectangle or a building block for the square.
20
Shape Sorting
Group the cards by features such as straight or curved edges, shapes or animals, designs with corners, or designs with wings or feet.
21
Name the Shape
Choose a card without showing its engraved name and see whether the shape can be identified.
22
Which Is Different?
Place several cards together and talk about which one is different and why. There may be more than one correct answer.
Creative Activities
6 ideas
23
Use the Cards as Stencils
Place a card on paper and carefully draw around the outside to create a shape or animal outline. The drawing can then be coloured or decorated.
24
Pom-Pom Patterns
Place coloured pom-poms over the holes to create patterns, pictures or colour sequences.
25
Loose-Parts Decorating
Decorate the cards using suitable loose items already available at home or in the classroom, such as counters, felt shapes or paper pieces. These items are not included with the threading-card set.
26
Draw What You See
Choose a card and use it as inspiration for a picture. A butterfly could inspire a garden, while the turtle might begin an underwater adventure.
27
Tell a Story
Choose an animal card and invent a short story about where the animal is going and what it might discover.
28
Create a Scene
Arrange several cards together to create a scene, such as an owl flying at night, a butterfly in a garden, or a turtle beside geometric stepping stones.
Partner and Group Activities
5 ideas
29
Take Turns Threading
Two players take turns adding one new section of lace to the pattern.
30
Give Directions
One person describes which hole to use next while the other person follows the instructions. Useful words might include top, bottom, left, right, middle, beside, above and below.
31
Pattern Swap
Each player creates a pattern, then swaps cards and tries to continue the other person’s design.
32
Mystery Card
Describe a card without naming it. The other person must guess which shape or animal it is.
33
Threading Challenge Cards
Write simple challenges on small pieces of paper, such as: use ten holes; include three straight lines; make two crosses; use the outside holes only; or create a symmetrical pattern. Choose one at random before beginning.
Keep Exploring
These ideas are only a starting point. Children can invent their own routes, games, patterns and stories using the cards in completely different ways. There is no wrong way to thread, play and learn.