The Best Tangram App for Little Kids – Tangrams HD Review

Tangrams HD uses real tangram shapes, the classic 7 pieces (no half-moons, arches and circles that aren’t really tangram pieces). The pieces have the same size, color and orientation as the puzzle, and they are all there on the screen, so kids can see the pieces and easily slide them into place (no tiny pieces that pop out larger, no clicking to turn the pieces, no counter that pops out more of the same piece). The puzzle is pretty when solved (not a grey or black shadow). The pieces glide into place or pop away (no tiny adjustments to get pieces placed, no wondering what is wrong when the puzzle looks right but refuses to say it's solved). It’s clear when the puzzle is finished, and the solved puzzle its it's own reward (no musical fanfare or shapes getting larger and smaller). Kids can look at their work, enjoy the satisfaction that they built a tangram shape, and go on to do more, and there are lots of puzzles to try. It's fine to have all sorts of puzzles for kids, but tangrams are unique in having 5 triangles of set sizes, one square and one parallelogram, that can be made into hundreds of shapes. Moving seven very limited shapes is the point. It’s clear how to go on to 2 higher levels in a menu on the home page. A little house gets you Home, and good-looking arrows take you to the last puzzle or the next. Level Two advances to a white puzzle with shapes defined by lines, and a small finished puzzle with the color-matched pieces up in the corner. Level Three has an open puzzle shape with no lines, and a smaller finished puzzle with color-matched pieces, too. This app will really work for preschool kids, who can count the 7 pieces one by one as they place them, really enjoy tangrams (and not find them frustrating) and be a challenge to the fifth or sixth grader who is solving Level Three puzzles. Good job, Visual Learning Aids! I'm off to see what else you have! Ann H. McCormick, PhD, Founder, The Learning Company I spent hours looking at tangram videos, web sites and apps looking for this app, which offers a lot of value, even for the preschool child, but will challenge much older kids!
Review by annmccormick on Tangrams HD.