Use these printable tangram outlines to get your kids started "solving" their puzzle.

This task asks you to use a set of seven geometric shapes, called tangrams, to fill in the outlines shown. Here is how to solve each puzzle step-by-step.

The Tangram Pieces:
Before starting, remember you have these 7 pieces:
1. Two large triangles
2. One medium triangle
3. Two small triangles
4. One square
5. One parallelogram (the slanted rectangle)

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Puzzle 1: The Rabbit (Top Left)

Step 1: The Body
Look at the bottom part of the rabbit. It is a large block with "feet."
* Take the Square and place it in the center of the body.
* Take one Large Triangle and place it to the left of the square to form the back/leg.
* Take the other Large Triangle and place it below the square to form the front leg/chest area.

Step 2: The Head
Now look at the top part.
* Take the Medium Triangle and place it on top of the square for the face.
* Take the two Small Triangles. Place them on top of the medium triangle pointing up to make the ears.
* Take the Parallelogram and attach it to the side of the head or neck area to complete the shape (depending on the specific outline variation, it often forms the nose or back of the head). *Correction for this specific outline:* Looking closely at the lines inside the rabbit:
* The big bottom shape is actually made of the two Large Triangles forming a larger square/base.
* The Square is tilted above them.
* The Medium Triangle is the face.
* The Parallelogram and one Small Triangle make the ears.
* The last Small Triangle is the tail.

*Let's refine the Rabbit solution based on standard tangram patterns:*
1. Body: Use the two Large Triangles to make the main torso.
2. Head: Use the Square for the lower head/neck.
3. Face: Use the Medium Triangle for the upper head.
4. Ears: Use the Parallelogram and one Small Triangle for the long ears.
5. Tail: Use the remaining Small Triangle for the little tail at the back.

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Puzzle 2: The Person Running/Dancing (Top Right)

Step 1: The Legs
* Use one Large Triangle for the back leg (the one stretching back).
* Use the other Large Triangle for the front leg/thigh area.

Step 2: The Body and Arms
* Use the Square for the torso/chest.
* Use the Medium Triangle for the arm reaching forward.

Step 3: The Head and Other Arm
* Use one Small Triangle for the head.
* Use the Parallelogram for the other arm or part of the leg depending on the fit.
* Use the last Small Triangle to fill the remaining gap, likely the foot or hand.

*Refined Solution:*
1. Head: One Small Triangle.
2. Torso: The Square.
3. Arm (up): The Medium Triangle.
4. Legs: The two Large Triangles form the bent legs.
5. Other parts: The Parallelogram and the last Small Triangle form the feet/hands extensions.

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Puzzle 3: The Person Rowing or Sitting (Bottom Left)

Step 1: The Base
* Place the two Large Triangles together to form a large square or rectangular base at the bottom. This looks like the boat or the seated legs.

Step 2: The Body
* Place the Square on top of the base for the body.

Step 3: The Arms/Oar
* Use the Medium Triangle and the Parallelogram to create the arms holding an oar or stick.

Step 4: The Head
* Use the two Small Triangles to form the head and hat/hair.

*Refined Solution:*
1. Boat/Legs: The two Large Triangles form the bottom V-shape.
2. Body: The Square sits in the middle.
3. Head: One Small Triangle on top.
4. Arms/Oar: The Medium Triangle, Parallelogram, and the other Small Triangle extend outwards to look like arms rowing.

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Puzzle 4: The Swan or Bird (Bottom Right)

Step 1: The Body
* Use the two Large Triangles to form the main bulky part of the bird's body.

Step 2: The Neck and Head
* Use the Medium Triangle and the Square to build the long curved neck.
* Use one Small Triangle for the beak/head tip.

Step 3: The Tail/Wings
* Use the Parallelogram and the last Small Triangle to form the tail feathers or wing details.

*Refined Solution:*
1. Body: The two Large Triangles make the chest and back.
2. Neck: The Square and Medium Triangle stack up to make the neck curve.
3. Head: One Small Triangle is the head.
4. Tail: The Parallelogram and the last Small Triangle form the tail end.

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General Tips for Solving:

1. Start with the biggest pieces. The two Large Triangles are the easiest to place because they take up the most space. Look for big triangular areas in the outline.
2. Look for squares. If you see a square corner in the outline, try placing the Square piece or two Small Triangles together there.
3. Rotate the Parallelogram. This piece is tricky because it doesn't look the same when flipped over. You may need to flip it over to get it to fit.

Final Answer:
To solve these tangram puzzles, arrange the 7 tans (2 large triangles, 1 medium triangle, 2 small triangles, 1 square, 1 parallelogram) to match the outlines:

1. Rabbit: Use the two Large Triangles for the body, the Square and Medium Triangle for the head/neck, the Parallelogram and one Small Triangle for the ears, and the last Small Triangle for the tail.
2. Running Person: Use the Small Triangle for the head, the Square for the torso, the Medium Triangle for an arm, the two Large Triangles for the legs, and the Parallelogram and remaining Small Triangle for the feet/hands.
3. Rowing Person: Use the two Large Triangles for the bottom (boat/legs), the Square for the body, the Medium Triangle and Parallelogram for the arms/oar, and the two Small Triangles for the head and detail.
4. Swan/Bird: Use the two Large Triangles for the body, the Square and Medium Triangle for the neck, one Small Triangle for the head, and the Parallelogram and last Small Triangle for the tail.