At home or in class
Tangram for Kids
Try three hands-on tangram activities for preschool and older children, with a sample from the printable card packs and an online guided build.
Three tangram activities for kids
An adult can print the pack sample at actual size and cut out the seven pieces on page 2. For preschool, start with two pieces and a picture to copy. Offer the full silhouette when the child wants a harder puzzle.
01 · Match
Make a square with two triangles
Pick out the two small triangles. Turn one until their longest sides touch. Ask your child to trace the new square with a finger and count its corners.
02 · Copy
Build a cat over the picture
Open page 4 of the card pack sample. Put each piece over its matching shape in the Cat answer. Then move the pieces onto the Cat silhouette on page 3.
See the Cat solution03 · Invent
Draw a challenge for a friend
Make an animal, a boat or an imaginary creature. Trace the outside edge, lift the pieces, and swap outlines with a partner. Try to rebuild each other’s shape.
Make a shape onlineQuestions to ask while you play
- Which piece has four sides of the same length?
- Can you turn a triangle so its longest side lines up with the edge?
- Where could the next piece fit without covering a piece that is already there?
Let children point, turn and compare before offering an answer. For a group, give each pair one cutout set and take turns describing a move.