These simple tangrams are perfect for creating and then playing with your kiddos. Use our free printable template to make your own tangrams!

Are tangrams a game? For our sake, I’m gonna say YES!

These DIY tangrams are our next stop on the DIY game train.

Did you see our Boggle game a couple of weeks back? And the rest of our DIY games here?

There aren’t too many tricks when it comes to how to make tangrams, but we’ve made it extra easy for you with a free printable template. Let’s make some shapes!

Psst — before you get the tutorial, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group! I send these folks more of my very best DIYs, ideas, and projects.

Supplies You’ll Need (Plus a Free Printable Tangram Template)

printable tangram template
Optional: 1/4″ plywood
Cardboard or chipboard (if you don’t want to use power tools)
saw (or scissors if you’re using chipboard)
sandpaper or sander
craft paint
paintbrushes
pencil

How to Make Tangrams

Make Time: 45 Minutes (Plus Drying Time)

Download and print our tangram template. Cut along the black lines until all of the tangram shapes are separated.
Trace the pieces onto your wood or chipboard using a pencil, so that all of the pieces are aligned in their original square shape when they fit together.
Cut along all of the pencil lines to create your tangrams. If you’re using wood, you’ll make the cuts with a saw; if you’re using chipboard, use scissors. Sand all edges until they’re completely smooth. Wipe down each piece to remove all sawdust.
Paint each piece a different color in your desired color palette. If you’re using chipboard, be careful not to use too much paint or it will saturate and warp the chipboard. You could also try thin coats of spray paint.

How to Play Tangrams

Play away! Right now, our kids are at the age where they just like to make up their own shapes and designs with the tangrams.

But if you’ve got older kids you can print out some of these tangram cards to have them create the shapes on the cards with their own tangrams.

It’s awesome for learning spatial relation, math, shapes, problem solving, and so much more.

I remember playing with tangrams all throughout elementary school (I think I even remember having a travel set that I took on family trips!) and just loving arranging and rearranging those shapes. Hope you make yourself a set! xoxo

DIY Tangrams

Yield: Tangrams

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $10

These simple tangrams are perfect for creating and then playing with your kiddos. Use our free printable template to make your own tangrams!

Materials

printable tangram template
Optional: 1/4" plywood
Cardboard or chipboard (if you don't want to use power tools)
sandpaper or sander
craft paint
pencil

Tools

saw (or scissors if you're using chipboard)
paintbrushes

Instructions

Download and print our tangram template. Cut along the black lines until all of the tangram shapes are separated.
Trace the pieces onto your wood or chipboard using a pencil, so that all of the pieces are aligned in their original square shape when they fit together.
Cut along all of the pencil lines to create your tangrams. If you're using wood, you'll make the cuts with a saw; if you're using chipboard, use scissors. Sand all edges until they're completely smooth. Wipe down each piece to remove all sawdust.
Paint each piece a different color in your desired color palette. If you're using chipboard, be careful not to use too much paint or it will saturate and warp the chipboard. You could also try thin coats of spray paint.

Notes

Right now, our kids are at the age where they just like to make up their own shapes and designs with the tangrams.

But if you've got older kids you can print out some of these tangram cards to have them create the shapes on the cards with their own tangrams.

It's awesome for learning spatial relation, math, shapes, problem solving, and so much more.

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