Preschool Color Activities
Which color activities are you looking for to occupy your child?
The subject of colors opens up a wide variety of activities, from color recognition activities to preparation of home made colorful arts and crafts materials.
Due to lack of space I have chosen to present you with simple color activities that can be done easily and enjoyably with the kids.
Basic color activities
Color recognition activities
In order for your child to know the different colors well, it's a good idea to focus on one color, and gradually add other colors to the colors that have already been learnt.
Recognition of the color red
- Collect assorted red items and gather them together on the table (an article of clothing, an apple, a ball, a scarf, a block).
- Distribute other red items around the room.
- Ask the child "What do you see on the table? What do all the items have in common? What color are they?" If the child is not able to say that all the items are red then tell him so and ask him to repeat the color.
- Ask him what other items does he know that are red.
- Ask him to look around the room and find other objects that are red.
- Teach your child the other colors in a similar way, but at this stage add activities for distinguishing between different colors.
Activities for distinguishing between colors
Sorting items according to color
- Place different colored items on the table according to the colors that the child is already familiar with.
- Ask the child to sort the items according to color (all the red items in one group, all the yellow items in another group etc.).
Matching items
- Place different colored items on the table (assorted colored scarves, balls, etc.).
- This time your child has to make different groups, so that in each group there is the same item but in a different color.
Color sequence
- Arrange items in different colors in a row (a green ball, a red apple, a blue piece of paper, etc.).
- Ask your child to make an additional row identical to the row that you made.
- When your child has completed the task, ask him to make an additional row using the same order of colors, but this time using different items (a green piece of paper, a yellow ball, a red scarf, a blue stone).
Who is missing?
- Arrange 2-3 different colored blocks in a row (according to the colors that he is already familiar with).
- Allow your child to memorize the colors of the blocks.
- Ask your child to turn around, and when he does, hide one block.
- The child has to discover which block is missing.
Types of colors and their use
The wide selection of colors that are on the market, enable us to undertake in an endless amount of color activities with our kids. As it would be impossible to go into detail about all of the activities, I have chosen a number of basic ideas. You may add, change and elaborate on these color activities according to your child's age and preferences.
- Finger paints
With finger paints your child uses his hands to paint. Finger painting makes a lot of mess so it's a good idea to hold this activity outdoors or in the bathroom. In addition, I recommend that your child wears an apron before you begin the activity.
Place a large piece of drawing paper and pots of paint on the table, and leave your child to it. Allow him to paint using one color or more according to his preference. When your child has completed the painting allow it to dry.
- Pastels
Pastels are oily and can be easily spread and smudged. Your child can draw with them on a piece of drawing paper, smudge them and create wonderful pictures even at a very early age.
- Guashe paints
Guashe paints require more skill if you are using them for painting with a paintbrush. They can be used for painting on drawing paper, for painting plaster molds and clay crafts. Guashe paints make a lot of mess and therefore it's a good idea to create a working area outdoors, and to dress your child in an apron before he begins to paint.
Guashe paints in pots with a sponge are also available so that younger kids can paint with them by spreading and patting.
- Wax crayons
Wax crayons are great for drawing on paper. Your child can use them for drawing or for coloring in coloring pages. It's a good idea to match the coloring pages to the age of the child. The younger the child, the simpler the outlines of the pictures, and the larger the coloring area should be.
- Markers
Markers, like wax crayons are great for drawing and coloring in coloring pages. For coloring in large areas use thick markers.
Mixing colors
When your child is familiar with the different colors, you can help him discover how to create colors by mixing the base colors. Here are a few ideas:
- Mixing guashe colors with a paint brush
Place a small amount of base colors: red, blue, yellow, in a disposable plate.
Ask your child to mix two colors and to discover which color he gets. Ask your child to mix the three colors and to discover which colors he gets.
Add black and white to the base colors and discover together which additional colors can be created by adding black or white.
- Mixing colors with a slide
Place mounds of guashe paint next to each other on a piece of drawing paper.
Ask your child to place the slide on the piece of paper and to press. The mounds of color will combine and will create new colors and shades.
Allow to dry.
- Mixing colors with beads
Place mounds of guashe paint on a tray (base colors + black and white).
Add glass beads to the tray.
Allow your child to move the tray. The beads will disperse in the tray, mix the colors and form new colors and shades.
