Tangram puzzles: how to play and shapes to try
Also known as: Seven boards of skill, تانگرام
What is a tangram? Learn the seven pieces, the simple rules and how to solve silhouette puzzles. Great for children, classrooms and spatial thinking.
- Type
- Folk game
- Players
- 1
- Age
- Ages 4+
- Origin
- China
The tangram is a traditional dissection puzzle from China. A square is cut into seven flat pieces: five triangles of three sizes, one square and one parallelogram. Using all seven pieces, without overlapping them, the player tries to build a given outline, such as a cat, a boat, a running person or a simple house. The outline shows only the outside shape, so the solver must discover where each piece goes. Tangrams became popular in Europe and America in the nineteenth century, and today they are common in schools, where teachers use them to explore geometry, area and symmetry. Thousands of different figures can be made from the same seven pieces, which gives this small set a surprisingly long life.
Our verdict
Tangrams teach children and adults to see how shapes combine and divide. They build spatial reasoning, patience and the ability to imagine a solution before placing a piece. The set is small, quiet and needs no batteries, so it travels well and works in a classroom or at a kitchen table. It also invites creativity: after solving given figures, many players invent their own animals and objects and challenge others to rebuild them. Because the pieces never change, the puzzle grows with the player.
What works
- Builds geometry and spatial skills naturally
- Endless figures from one small set
- Calm, screen-free play
What does not
- Silhouette-only puzzles can frustrate young beginners
- Little to do for groups unless you own several sets
How to play Tangram
Lay out the seven pieces: two large triangles, one medium triangle, two small triangles, one square and one parallelogram. Choose a target figure, usually shown as a solid silhouette. Your goal is to arrange all seven pieces so that together they fill the silhouette exactly. Pieces must lie flat and touch each other, and they must not overlap. You may rotate any piece, and you may also flip the parallelogram over, because it is the only piece whose mirror image is a different shape. Beginners often start with figures that show the lines between pieces; harder puzzles show only the outer edge. There is no time limit in the traditional form, but you can play against a clock or race a friend with two sets. When you finish, check that every piece is used once and that no part of the silhouette is left empty.
Tips for new players
- Place the two large triangles first; they cover half of the square and decide the rest.
- Look for sharp corners in the silhouette, since they usually belong to a small triangle.
- Remember that the parallelogram can be flipped as well as turned.
- If a figure seems impossible, try a different position for the square piece.
Good for
Tangram: common questions
How many pieces are in a tangram?
A tangram has seven pieces: five triangles in three sizes, one square and one parallelogram.
Where does the tangram come from?
The tangram comes from China and became popular in Europe and America during the nineteenth century.
What age is the tangram good for?
Children around four can enjoy simple figures with guide lines, while silhouette-only puzzles challenge older children and adults.
Tangram belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
