Pentominoes

Watch the video to learn how to play

Transcript

Transcript coming soon.

Collect resources

You will need:

  • 5 paper squares (click here to watch how to make squares, you’ll need 5 pieces of A4 or A5 paper and scissors)

  • grid paper (you can click on the link on the right to print some)

  • coloured pens or pencils.

Pentominoes grid paper.pdf

How to play

  • Find all the unique shapes you can make using all 5 squares.

  • Remember, the edges of each square must join other squares perfectly and all of the shapes you make must be different. That means that 2 shapes are considered the same if one can be fitted exactly on top of the other, even if you have to turn it around or turn it over.

  • Record the shapes you made.

Watch the video to continue your thinking

What to do next

  • Try making a rectangle with all of your pentominoes, or

  • Try making some of the animals from the picture. You can find more pentomino animals from Abroth's World.


A set of four animal pictures made up of adjoining squares. Top left: T-rex; Top right: kangaroo; Bottom left: terrier; Bottom right: butterfly.

  • Cut out pentominoes to investigate what other shapes you can make by joining your pentominoes together.