Tangrams are a fun puzzle activity that’s perfect for STEAM classrooms, road trip busy bags, and educational playtime anywhere. Use the shapes to create a dog, a turtle, and other creations on the challenge cards. This set includes 4 printable tangrams and 8 challenge cards.
Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, Keri Houchin earns a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Tangrams are a simple 7-piece puzzle that fits together as a square. The individual pieces can be put together in an infinite number of combinations to make other shapes. They make a good activity for kids who need to be busy or just enjoy a good brain challenge. Tangrams are fun because while there are plenty of difficult puzzles for older kids to make with these, even preschoolers will enjoy the simplest ones.
My son has a set of metal tangrams. I’ve also seen them made from plastic or wood.
Because they are such a fun activity for kids of all ages, I decided to make a printable tangram set and a few challenge cards.
Tangrams and challenge cards
This printable is three 8.5×11-inch pages. The first page is the tangrams. I fit four sets on a single page. Although the original game uses just one set, you can combine sets and get creative when you have more shapes to use.
The next two pages are challenge cards. There are four pictures on each page, and each one requires only a single set of tangrams. They’re simple enough for young kids to be able to do them, but my 9-year-old also likes to play with them.
I recommend printing these on cardstock. You could also print them on heavier cover stock paper or something else more durable, but I haven’t tried it. If you’re giving them to a young child, it might be worthwhile to laminate every piece to make them more durable.
On the tangrams page, cut out each of the four squares and then cut each one into the smaller shapes. Cut the challenge cards into four along the dotted lines.
If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, be sure to check out my tangrams mandala puzzles too. They include 4 different symmetrical spiraled patterns to build.
Get the printable
This printable is available to download as a 3-page PDF below.
There are 2 ways to get this printable:
1. Pay what you can! To download for free, type $0 in the fair price box. Enter your email address to get instant access and also have it sent to your inbox. If you enjoy my printables, please consider a $3-5 payment to help me keep making them.
2. Join The Printables Library for a one-time fee that gives you access to all current and future printables! If you’re already a member, you can find this file there now.
Can’t see the Gumroad form below? Unsure how to print? For troubleshooting tips and frequently asked questions, read the Printables FAQ Help Guide.
Check out some other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
this is pretty cool! I love the different images and the fact all you need is paper and you have quiet time fun 🙂
Tangrams are so much fun! Great gift idea!
A super gift idea. Sometimes the fun this are also very simple.
Thanks, Mary! Sometimes I think kids spend so much time with electronics that everything else becomes a novelty.
We plan to print them out, and then laminate.
And use them in the STEM classes at the pre-school.
That sounds great! I hope the kids enjoy the tangrams.
thank you for the tangrams – we used to do them in homeschool with my son – now I can use these with his son – thank you!
You’re welcome! I’ve heard a lot of homeschoolers are using them.
Thank you so much! I made tangrams for my students and will include your challenge cards. I love these things. So glad others find them gift-worthy.
These are great! I printed the various shape challenge card combinations in B&W to make it an extra level of challenge and in color for the kids to check their accuracy. SO great! Thank you for this.
That’s a great idea! I think I’m going to reprint mine in black and white to up the challenge for my kids now that they’ve done them in color so often.
Thanks for the free printable, I do OT with the elderly & this will be perfect for them.
That’s wonderful!
I am a Tangram Master I think that is a great idea what your doing
Thanks, Juan! I think tangrams are a great challenge for every age! You might want to check out my tangrams mandalas: https://onemamasdailydrama.com/printable-tangrams-mandala-puzzle-pages
Hi
These are great! But the sizes of the tangram shapes do not match the sizes of the puzzles. Did I do something wrong with the download?
Thanks,
Robin
Hi Robin! You didn’t do anything wrong. The challenge cards and the tangrams aren’t the same size. You’re supposed to build the challenges on a table (or any flat surface) while looking at the cards as a guide.
Clicking on the “download printables” doesn’t work — it won’t open —
Could you possibly email me the pdf?
carol.jackson@lrsd.org
Thanks so much — my students will love these!
The download button should automatically start the download, so you may need to allow popups/downloads/etc. Sending you an email!
I love your tangram printables! This one won’t print for me even though I followed all your instructions. I would greatly appreciate your help. Sincerely, Alicia
Hi Alicia! Some readers have reported trouble with the buttons, so I’ve added a text link just above it on this post. If you’re still having trouble, let me know! Thanks!
I would like to receive the Tangram challenge cards please.
Hi Sophia – I’ve updated the post to include recent updates to the signup process. Let me know if you still have a question!
This is the great idea. I plan to print them out for my children.
I want that
WOULD LOVE THE TANGRAMS PLEASE..
Que padres mi hijo va en preescolar y ahora los utilizarán les va a encantar
Excelent!!!
I want the Tangram challenge cards please
Hi Fatma! Everything you need is under the heading “Get the Printable!”
Thank you for providing this! I work at a non profit and it is hard for us to afford some things. Thank you for your hard work! The kids will love it!
I’m glad you’re like my printables! Since you mentioned it, I want to be sure you understand that “personal use only” doesn’t include non-profit businesses unless it is unconnected to how you receive money (eg free for participants + won’t result in donations).