Today’s post is part of a Guest Post Swap. Jessica, from Zakka Life is guest posting here on Make and Takes and I’m lucky enough to be guest posting over at Zakka Life. Read here about introducing colors to children, then click over to read about The Magic of Music.
This project was inspired by a VBS (Vacation Bible School) project where the kids made fire out of red and yellow paint. After looking at my son’s project, it occurred to me that this could be a great color theory lesson for little ones. Directions below:
Supplies:
- Paint: red, yellow and blue – tempera is probably best for kids but you can use acrylic too
- Small zip lock bags
Step1. Add about a tsp of blue paint and a tsp of yellow paint in bag (refer to picture). Seal closed.
Step2. Have the child squish the bag together to combine the two colors. It should soon look like the picture above.
Repeat steps one and two using color combinations red/yellow for bag 2 and red/blue for bag 3.
When doing this project, here are some questions you can ask the child?
- What colors are in the bag to begin with?
- What color do you think the two colors will make?
- What colors do you see? (ask when they are mixing the colors)
- Point to different shades of the color green and ask them what’s the difference. Point out that there are lighter shades of green and darker shades of green.
- Challenge the child to squish the colors till it makes one solid color.
What’s nice about this project opposed to just mixing the paint on paper is the results are slower. The child can watch what is happening and see what colors they started with. I also found that children like squishing the bag even when the project is done. And best of all, no mess!
Thanks, Jessica, for helping us to introduce colors to our kids. I love the hands-on of the paint and that they really get to see the colors mix into something new. We’ll be mixing colors this week!
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This looks like a blast… and I should also add that there’s a Leo Lionni book called “Little Blue and Little Yellow” that would be a great addition to this activity!
what a great idea! I’m going to do this this week :-)
That is so clever and we are all for anything that stops them getting paint on the floor.
Did they get it ?
Oh how fun! My kiddos will love doing this. Thanks for the great idea!
This is great. I like the no mess.
What a fun little project…We’ve done something similar with shaving cream and food coloring, but this one would probably last a bit longer since the shaving cream sort of melts after a bit.
Thanks for sharing the idea!
I like this idea! “Mouse Paint” would be a good book to go along with this activity. Thank you for sharing!
What a fantastic idea!!! I love it :) I can’t wait to try this out with my daughter. Thanks for sharing!
This is such a great idea. I have an almost 2 year old and she loves paints, crayons, stamps. This one is great for her. Now, if I could just get her to SAY her colors….
Hi Marie,
thank you for doing the guest post swap with me :)
Oh, how fun! And I love the no mess-factor!
Great book suggestions to go along with this activity. I love Little Blue and Little Yellow and Mouse Paint.
And yes, everyone loves the no mess! I can’t wait to try this.