Pattern Practice is one of my favorites because there are ways to make it work from ages 1-5. This makes it a great activity to do with a group of children of different ages.

We typically use Unifix cubes for patterns because they allow for so many options, but you can use a variety of objects, such as counting bears, other toy or snacks. Below are sample pattern types that are good options at each age.

Matching (Ages 1-3): Place cubes of various colors and put out a pile of matching cubes. Let your little one try to match the cubes. To a one-year-old, I might say, “Can you find the other orange cube?” A three-year-old is more likely ready for a simple, “Find the matches!”
AB Patterns (Ages 3-4): Any pattern that repeats a sequence of two objects, such as “red, blue, red, blue...” or “blueberry, grape, blueberry, grape...”
Number Patterns (Ages 3-4): A fun way to practice counting and patterns. You put out cubes up to a given number and your child makes the next number, such as 1 cube, then 2 cubes, then 3 cubes and your child would get out 4 cubes.
ABB and ABC patterns (Ages 4-5): An ABB pattern is one that repeats a pattern like ABBABB, such as “yellow, red, red, yellow, red, red....” An ABC pattern includes three repeating objects like “green, blue, orange, green, blue, orange.”
Two Direction Patterns (Ages 4-5): If your almost-kindergartner is ready for an added challenge, make the pattern extend vertically and horizontally (see last pic)