Color mixing play is a fun sensory table idea!

Truth is, the idea began with mustard and ketchup.

Here we were, about to eat a hamburger and fries, when my four-year-old reminded me that if he mixes all the ketchup into the mustard, it makes orange.

So what better way to bring his discovery home by mixing red and yellow paint into a large storage bin.

It was quick. It was fun. It helped expand upon his hypothesis. The Scientific Method through play. – A brilliant way to get your preschooler to remember what they have learned.

RELATED: Need great ideas you can store at home rather than a Google search? Get them all HERE!

Kids remember what they do.

We know this!

We see this to be true every day. Show a preschooler a flashcard, and he may be interested in a few seconds. Set up an invitation to play, and he remembers for weeks to come with statements such as:

Remember that time we mixed red and yellow paint to make orange? Can we do that again today with different colors and see what happens?

The next morning, we set up blue and yellow. It was a beautiful blend of color mixing that I am confident he will remember.

RELATED: Want to introduce painting with your two-year-old?

This sensory table play is great for indoors.

Allow me to set you up for success.

• With one child, this color mixing game works great indoors.

• With multiple children, I would bring this color mixing game outside.

The truth is that once all three of my boys had their hands on the squirt bottles, paint exploded off of the ‘buffer zone (aka an indoor cycling mat) and onto the carpet. Since we use washable paint that I know and trust, it cleaned up well. However, it could have been a disaster.

If messy play is your style, you must get your hands on our shaving cream idea.

RELATED: 50+ Play Ideas for Home are listed in one spot to keep your searching easy!

Why is color mixing play important?

For one, this color mixing game improves pencil grip.

How is this possible?

See my four-year-old’s hands? He is working hard to squeeze the color out of the squirt bottles. By doing so, he is actually strengthening his small hand muscles which will eventually form letters. He can do this inside the sensory table!

I am certain my four-year-old hold a pencil correctly because of all the fine motor games we have played just like this one. A year ago, his wrist would twist around and a marker would land in the most awkward position. Now, he is holding a marker in a position that will allow him to flourish when writing.

RELATED: Read 25+ Ways to Improve Pencil Grip HERE.

Setting up this table idea is simple!

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My preschooler can help with setup! He squeezes the paint into the squirt bottle and adds the water.

Having young children help in the beginning can almost always seem like a chore that is more effort than it is worth. But over time, you will see the benefits.

• confidence

• independence

• organization

• planning, gathering essential supplies

Looking to start sensory play and want to know how? READ THIS SENSORY BIN 101 HERE.

Time to set this color mixing game up!

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• Place a couple of squirts of washable paint into each squirt bottle.

• Add water. Shake.

• Sensory Table – Place the under the bed storage bin on something that can catch the overflow.

• Here, I used an indoor cycling mat. You can also use a shower curtain, old table cloth, or towel.

• Line the bottom of the storage bin with paper towels.

• Invite your preschool to explore the colors mixing!

I gathered some of my most favorite supplies and my four-year-old got to work:

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaning up the sensory table was a breeze.

Since the paper towels absorbed a lot of the water, I poured the excess away and tossed the paper towels.

I used the kitchen faucet to rinse the paint out of the 41-quart storage bin. I also used the kitchen sink to rinse out the squirt bottles.

We dried everything off and are ready to set up the color mixing game another day!

When will you explore colors?