Age
⚙ 1.5 years and up
Time and Place
⚙ Any time of day
⚙ Any time of year
⚙ Indoors or outdoors
Materials
⚙ Non-toxic tempera paints
⚙ Paper
⚙ A table or a flat surface
⚙ Paint brushes
Optional Materials
⚙ Sponges
⚙ Cotton swabs
Safety
⚙ Supervise children at all times
⚙ Use non-toxic paints only
Instructions
Place paper, paint brush, and several colours of paint on a table or flat surface. Let the children explore the colours and paint freely. If appropriate, show how mixing colours creates new ones. Children may prefer using their hands instead of a paintbrush, which adds a sensory exploration to the learning experience.
Optional: paint with sponges or cotton swabs instead of paintbrushes.
Questions You May Ask
⚙ How did you make that colour?
⚙ What do you think will happen if we mix all the colours?
⚙ What else can you use to paint?
⚙ How can you make a [lighter, darker, different] colour?
Play-based Context
Children in the toddler room enjoyed all sorts of arts and crafts experiences, and sat at the table each time the educators started setting up materials. Educators offered children plenty of opportunities to explore colours using hands, paint brushes, sponges, cotton swabs, etc.
Related Children's Books
⚙Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
⚙Mix It Up by Herve Tullet
⚙The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
⚙Press Here by Herve Tullet
