Fibonacci Day Activities for Kids

Fibonacci Day is celebrated on November 23rd because when the date is written in mm/dd format (11/23), it forms a section of the Fibonacci sequence. In this post I share several Fibonacci inspired activities to try with your kids!

What is the Fibonacci sequence?

The Fibonacci sequence is a sequence of numbers in which each new number is the sum of the previous two numbers.

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34... and so on.

(1+1=2), (1+2=3), (2+3=5)....

Fibonacci numbers are often found in nature. Some examples are the number of petals on a flower (typically 3, 5, or 8), the arrangement of scales on a pinecone, the number of digits on a human hand or foot, the number of legs an octopus has, the number of legs a starfish has, and the number of eyes on a human face.

The Golden Ratio

The Golden Ratio is a ratio between two numbers that equals approximately 1.618. If you divide a Fibonacci number by the previous number in the sequence, you get approximately 1.618. This ratio is important because it too, often occurs in nature. Some examples are the length of the joints in a human finger, the height of a human face divided by its width, you can even find it in our DNA structure!

The Fibonacci Spiral

The Fibonacci spiral is a geometric representation of the Fibonacci sequence. It too is often seen in nature. Some examples are the spiral pattern of seeds on a sunflower head, the shape of an ocean wave as it breaks, spriral galaxies, the branching of trees, and the spiral of a nautilus shell.

Fibonacci Inspired Activities

•Calculate Numbers in the Sequence

Give your kids the first several numbers of the sequence and then challenge them to calculate the next several.

•Make a Fibonacci Spiral

Use a ruler and graph paper to make a Fibonacci spiral. Check out this video for detailed instructions: Fibonacci Spiral Tutorial.

•Make Fibonacci Jewlery

A simple way to introduce the Fibonacci sequence to young kids is by making the sequence with beads on cord. Just help your kids calculate the first 8 or 9 numbers in the sequence. Count out different colored beads for each number. Then string them onto cord and tie it into a necklace or bracelet.

•Hunt for the Fibonacci Numbers in Nature

Head outside and look for examples of Fibonacci numbers and Fibonacci spirals in nature. Take pictures or nature journal about what you find!

•Make Fibonacci Inspired Art

Make Fibonacci spirals and turn them into art!

You can also check out the following Fibonacci inspired art projects:

-Mondrian Style Fibonacci Art from Teach Beside Me

-Fibonacci Circles Art Project from What We Do All Day

-Printable Fibonacci Math and Art Project from Inspire Math Matematyka

•Watch a YouTube Video

Check out these Fibonacci sequence videos:

-Math in the World Around Us: The Fibonacci Sequence from Adventure Academy

-What is the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio from Science ABC

-The Mind-Blowing Mathmatics of Sunflowers from Scientific American

If you enjoyed this post, check out:

Hands-on Math Activities for Nature Loving Kids

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