Cuttable and Printable Tangrams PDF
Finding fun projects for the kids to do when they are home from school for breaks can be so challenging. I am always trying to find fun things that will keep their minds occupied that aren’t electronic! These tangram pieces are perfect because they have to use some brain power to create shapes and figure out the tangram puzzles. You can use them with a template or just have the kids come up with their own shapes using the pieces.
Cuttable and Printable Tangrams PDF
Supplies:
Felt – <— I recommend this thick felt bundle from Target
Cricut Maker (optional)
Instructions:
Download the pattern of your choosing. If you are going to cut the shapes by hand I recommend that you print the tangram shapes pdf onto a heavy card stock and then use that as a template to trace the shapes onto whatever surface you plan to use for your shapes.
You can cut these felt shapes by hand as well but I recommend using a craft blade to keep the lines straight. I find it really difficult to get a nice clean straight cut with scissors.
To cut the thick felt on the Cricut follow these steps.
Place your felt sheets onto the pink fabric cutting mat. You can do each square separately or to save time line four 6″ squares up on the mat as pictured below.
Once in design space move the shapes around on the mat so that they will be cut on whichever color you choose. You can move them on the original design screen and then attach them. Or move them around after you have hit make it and then move forward with cutting.
The felt from Target is much thicker than most craft felt. Here are the settings I recommend to cut with the Maker. Select felt and then increase the pressure to “more.” Then “choose another blade” and switch the blade to a rotary blade.
**Note: You may be able to cut this with the Explore Air and a deep cut blade but I have not tested for pressure or settings.
If you want more than one set simply add another copy before cutting then move the pieces around so you have varying colors. You can definitely get at least one more set from the 6″ felt squares.
**Note: You could also increase the size to make them bigger. Just make sure that you make ALL of them bigger at the same rate so they still fit together perfectly! This would be a great option for tinier hands!
Tips and FAQ’s:
- I don’t recommend thin craft felt. If you are going to use felt definitely try and find a thicker felt (as featured in this post.)
- If you must use craft felt cut several and glue them together to add stability and make them easier to work with!
- Print the tangram pieces pdf and then have the kids help cut them. My kindergartener loves to help and is so proud of how well he can cut! This is a great project to make WITH the kids!
- Let the kids come up with their own shapes or search for tangram puzzles to find one of the many printables or books with lots of fun patterns to make with your new tangram shapes.
- Can I use a different mat to cut the felt? – I would NOT recommend using any other mat. The felt definitely leaves some fuzz behind and you don’t want that on your other mats. BUT this thick felt is a lot less messy than craft felt so that is a win!
- Do I have to use the rotary blade? – No, you could definitely try the other blades. I have not tested them though so test at your own risk! I am almost certain the deep cut blade would work at regular pressure but I like the rotary cutter for this project.
What questions do you have about this cuttable and printable tangrams pdf? Share any questions or comments with me in the comment section below.
Do you love this project? I would love to send you emails about all things Cricut. I won’t send you a ton of emails, 4 a month max! Leave me your email below and I will keep you posted about everything Cricut, no funny business I promise! Sign up below.
Leave a Reply