Tangram Puzzles Program

Programming in the library has been difficult since COVID started over a year and a half ago. We were able to jump into virtual programs really quickly, but it was very basic at the beginning. We focused solely on booktalking/read-aloud and storytimes.

Since then, we’ve definitely expanded our repertoire with easy art and science programs that kids could do at home with things that should be easy to find. We’ve been offering take-home kits for a year now (that’s about 2,000 kits) and now we’re slowly introducing indoor programming. These programs have extremely limited attendance and very strict rules which make them difficult to plan. And we continue to offer virtual programs to make sure we’ve got a little something for everyone!

Fall Programming

This was our first virtual program for the fall for our elementary school age kids – Tangram Puzzles! The best thing about this program is that you could just as easily do it in-person as well. It’s difficult to find creative programs for kids that include limited supplies that are easy for families to pick up. Or things they hopefully have access to at home.

This packet included a few things:

• tangram pieces printed on cardstock
• two sets of basic puzzles
• one set of more advanced puzzles (with answers)

We expected families to be able to provide scissors for the kids. I like creating programs that are secretly helping kids learn skills while we’re playing! Kids get to practice scissor skills and then get to keep their tangram puzzle pieces to use again and again.

Tangrams are seven shapes that can be combined to create pictures. They are thought to have been invented in the Tang Dynasty sometime between 600-900 CE. They traveled to Europe through trade routes in the 1800s and were popular during World War I because they are small enough to pack and carry with them.

Program Plan

For this program, I had a few ideas of how to get started. I wanted the kids to start by sharing what they already know about tangrams or what they observe. I have always found that kids love to tell adults what they know. Plus, it gives us time to get everyone settled.

My first request was to have the kids cut out their tangram pieces. I found a great printable from Layers of Learning which I then copied onto cardstock. While they were cutting out their pieces, I shared a quick little story and made pictures to coincide with the story with my own tangram pieces. I found this short story online and it worked out perfectly to allow the kids time to cut and could listen at the same time.

Afterward, I explained a little more about tangram puzzles. It’s important for kids to remember that tangrams can be rotated and flipped to create pictures. We started with simple designs that actually show how to create the picture. Each tangram shape is a different color which makes it easy to see how to create the picture. I love when bloggers are excited to share their content with you and I gladly signed up for this blog to be able to access these great resources. You’ve got to check out Wondermom Wannabe.

After the kids got the idea of how to create pictures, we moved on to the more difficult puzzles. (I used something similar to this, but can’t find the link now!) These are printed just in black ink, so the kids have no idea how to actually create the picture. Their job is to figure out the puzzle. I was kind enough to make a copy of the answers on the back in color, similar to the ones above that show how the shapes go together.

Results

At the end of the program, I just gave the kids time to create their own pictures and a chance to share them with me. I was really excited to share tangram puzzles with the kids at the library. They’re deceptively simple and yet really engage your mind to figure out the puzzles. With shape recognition and spatial awareness, tangram puzzles are a fun, simple, and inexpensive program idea!