Tangram dreidels (click to print)
Two dreidel patterns for Hanukkah. Fold the sheet to hide the solution if you wish.
Both patterns are simply old Chinese puzzles I rotated and named. Now, they are dreidels. Sevivonim in Hebrew (sevivon singular).
The tall one looks suspiciously top-heavy (so to speak), but let’s pretend the imaginary 3-D material is weighted at the bottom to produce a balanced spin.
cardstock tans glued to construction paper
If kids glue cardstock tans to construction paper, they can create a Tangram Dreidel picture—or greeting card or banner—to take home. Make them cut out the tans in the first place, and you’ve got yourself a good half-hour lesson. Just be sure they add one of the four dreidel letters. Here’s my printable chart with dreidel letters, what they stand for, and game rules.
Tangram dreidel
I use tans made of various materials in art class: cardstock (when we glue pictures), foam magnets on cookie tins and white-board, foam on construction paper (pleasant friction), and cheap wooden sets.
I keep the foam magnets and a stack of dollar store cookie tins on the counter for when anyone needs a little something to do.
Remember, there may be more than one solution to any tangram puzzle, which is certainly the case with these two dreidels. Encourage experimentation. Can your kids make more dreidel puzzles with the 7 pieces? With only 6 pieces?
Do see my intro to Jewish Tangram page here, with tips about making your own (free) tans from printable templates, troubleshooting advice, and links to my other printable Jewish Tangram sheets. More to come.
Tangram dreidel
Or, click on these:
Jewish Tangrams page
Jewish Tangrams: Shabbat Candles printable
Jewish Tangrams: Rosh Hashanah printable
Jewish Tangrams: Yom Kippur printable
How to Read (and Play) a Dreidel
Bible Belt Balabusta 
