Printable Tangram Objects Fun Activities For Kids

Last Updated on June 17, 2025

These printable tangram objects are a great activity to do when your kids say they’re bored.

These fun activities for kids are just the trick to keep kids occupied and minds active this summer. Using geometrical shapes for problem-solving is a wonderful STEM activity to help kids avoid the summer slide.

Like Printable Pentomino Puzzles, these puzzles are fun but also really help sharpen spatial awareness. When your kids are trying to figure out the puzzle, they have to think through how the shapes can be turned and flipped around so they fit into the space without overlapping.

Jump to:

• Fun Facts About Tangrams
• How to Complete a Tangram Puzzle
• Creative Ways to Use the Printable Tangram Objects
• Mom Life - Made Easier
• Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools for Printables
• Download the Printable Tangram Objects
• Printable FAQs
• Additional Summer Fun Ideas

Fun Facts About Tangrams

Tangrams are such fun puzzles to complete and they also have an interesting history.

While you are getting the children settled in to play with these printable tangram objects you can share some fun facts about tangrams with them:

• A tangram is a puzzle that has seven flat shapes (the pieces are called “tans”) that fit together to become a perfect square. The pieces can also be rearranged to form other shapes (more than 6,000 different shapes!).
• It is thought that tangrams were invented around 960-1279 AD during the Song Dynasty in China because of the idea a famous calligrapher had to arrange tables to seat guests at formal banquets.
• European merchants doing business in China brought tangrams back to Europe in the 1800s as gifts for their family.
• The original tangrams were made of ivory, wood, glass or even turtle shell. Tangrams now are typically made from wood blocks, plastic or paper (like this printable).

How to Complete a Tangram Puzzle

There are a few simple rules for the tangrams game. These Chinese puzzles are challenging, but doable as long as you follow the basic rules.

Tangram Pieces

Each tangram consists of seven flat pieces called tans. There are two large triangles, two small triangles, a medium triangle, a square, and a parallelogram.

Goal

The goal is to put the seven pieces together to make shapes. This particular printable tangram is for different objects. You can find tangrams for all sorts of things like people, animals, etc.

Rules

The three main rules when making the shapes are:

• You have to use all 7 pieces
• The 7 pieces must all touch
• The pieces cannot overlap

Creative Ways to Use the Printable Tangram Objects

Here are some creative ways to use this tangram printable to keep it fun, engaging, and visible throughout the season:

• See how many objects they can build in a set time. This can either be done as an individual challenge where they try to build more each time, or as a group challenge to see who can build the most.
• After the kids complete a few tangram object puzzles, they can mount them on construction paper and hang them up like an art exhibit.
• Another idea is to glue the objects into a booklet and then they can write a story including the creations.
• Challenge kids to create letters or numbers using the tangram shapes.
• Have kids invent their own objects using the 7 tangram pieces and draw the silhouette of what they made. Then they can challenge siblings or friends to recreate it using the same pieces.
• If you have older kids, they can estimate (or actually figure out) the area or symmetry in different tangram shapes.

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools for Printables

Printer: This one is a great budget printer. If you’re willing to spend just a little more though, this is a better option. And if you’re looking for an all-in-one home office machine, this one does it all, has high reviews and includes 2 years of ink.

Ink cartridges: Speaking of ink, this is where the cost of using printables can really add up! To save BIG on ink, buy it from CompAndSave.com. It’s substantially cheaper than anywhere else and they carry ink for all major printer brands and models.

Printer paper or cardstock: If you’re printing for one-time, quick use, print on regular printer paper. If you need the printout to hold up to being handled often or if you plan to laminate it to use it multiple times, choose cardstock.

Laminator: Laminating your printable is an inexpensive way to use it multiple times. Just use dry erase markers and wipe off when you’re done so you can use it again!  Alternately, you can cover the printable with clear contact paper to achieve the same thing or place the printable in clear page protectors.

Cutter: If you want nice, clean cuts, a paper cutter is a must-have. This is a great one if you plan on using it a lot. But this one is totally sufficient if you want something solid and reliable for occasional use.

On a tight budget? Go with this one. Or, use a good pair of scissors and a sturdy ruler.

Binder or Folder: If you’re using page protectors for your printables, binders are such an easy way to keep them together and organized. I love this colorful set. If you prefer to stick with standard white though, this set is highly rated and very affordable. And if you need larger binders, this set is terrific. If you go with folders, I like these.

Storage boxes: I like to keep a collection of coloring pages and activity sheets for kids in these plastic storage boxes that I pull out whenever I need to keep kids occupied.

Hole punch: If you don’t use page protectors but want to use binders to organize your printables, a hole puncher will be your best friend. This is the one you want if you’ll be punching holes in several pages at a time and want to do so easily. And this bargain option is ideal if you don’t mind limiting your hole punching to 2-3 pages at a time.

Adhesive and glue: To assemble or display your printable, you have a few options. You can use glue sticks, double-sided tape, or adhesive dots.

Download the Printable Tangram Objects

This printable tangram objects puzzle has 8 different templates you can make. Having a key for kids to look at as they try to work with the tangram helps kids who get easily frustrated or just any kid who likes to have a template to follow.

If you like to reuse things and save money it is helpful to print these off on white cardstock and then laminate them. This makes it so easy to keep them in good condition so they can be used over and over again.

It always amazes me how I can bring something out again after a few months and my kids act as if they have never seen it before in their lives!

You can print these off for your own personal use. Just fill in the form below to download and print off the Printable Tangram Objects.

Printable FAQs

Additional Summer Fun Ideas

Keep the summer fun going strong for you and your family with these other free ideas, recipes and printables.

• Printable Summer Scavenger Hunt: Keep kids busy and having fun with this free printable summer scavenger hunt! It’s perfect for a walk around the neighborhood—encouraging curiosity and screen-free play.
• 100 Things to do This Summer: Beat boredom this summer with our ultimate 100 Things To Do This Summer printable! From fun family adventures to creative ideas, this list will keep everyone entertained.
• What to do in Summer Family Fun Kit: Need ideas to keep the whole family happy this summer? Download this fun-packed Family Fun Kit! Includes creative indoor and outdoor activities and memory-making ideas the whole family will love!
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob: This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is so much tastier than ordinary corn on the cob. You have to try this super easy recipe!
• Easy Peach Ice Cream: This Easy Peach Ice Cream is the perfect dessert for summer. It’s cold and refreshing, creamy and delicious, and super easy to make!
• Instant Pot Lemon Chicken: This zesty Instant Pot Lemon Chicken recipe transforms ordinary chicken into a bright, flavorful dinner in minutes! Tender chicken bathed in a tangy lemon sauce makes for an effortless weeknight meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.