Supplies: felt (brown, pink, white or cream, light brown), cardstock, laminator and laminating pouches (optional), printable cards 

Ages: 2 - may be too young, 3- will be a good challenge, 4 to 5- ideal, 5+ - simple

This activity makes a great busy bag and is well used in our house by our 3, 4, and 6 year olds. First they choose a patterning card and lay it beside the felt cone. Then they stack the colored scoops onto the cone, making sure they follow the pattern shown on the card they chose. If they need more of a challenge, have them create their own pattern without following a card. Seems simple, but it gives them the opportunity to hone their critical thinking and problem solving skills.

If you would like to make this activity yourself, you will need to print the patterning cards found at Making Learning Fun. I suggest printing them on cardstock to give them a longer lifespan. You can laminate them if you wish to give them more stability.

You will also need to cut the cone and scoops from felt. You will need 1 cone and 4 of each color ice cream scoop.