These are the best color activities for your toddler and preschooler. From beginning to learn color names to watching primary colors mix, every opportunity to play with colors brings on a learning discovery. This list of hands-on activities includes sensory play, art activities, and easy indoor color sorting that your child will enjoy.
How do you teach kids colors?
Color activities must be hands-on, allowing children to use their little hands to explore primary and secondary colors. Begin with primary colors and allow time to sort and classify their favorite toys into the three color categories.
Next, look around. Colors are everywhere. Mentioning the colors you see in your environment is a great opportunity to introduce more color names. Talk about the green grass. Mention how the blues in the sky are different shades. Use color words in your conversations. Younger kids will make connections quickly when we talk about things that are familiar and have meaning to them.
Learning colors can also be as simple as putting food colors into a sensory bin or mixing two primary colors with washable paint for an easy art activity. Use the table of contents to easily navigate this post. Use this helpful post about early symptoms of color blindness along with talking to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Sensory Activities
An under-the-bed storage bin, container of food coloring, and water were my lifeline in the early years! Sensory bins are an excellent tool for exploring color combinations hands-on. If you use Pinterest, you are about to create a fun board of ideas for your child. You won’t find any printable color sorting activities here. Instead, we are teaching colors using household items.
Squirt Paint Mix-Up
I get these squirt bottles at the dollar store, and they are a fun way to implement fine motor development by exploring color combinations.
Paint the Ice
Here are the squirt bottles again! Only this time have we introduced all three primary colors. Science experiments have nothing on this creative idea.
Sticky Color Sort
When learning to sort and teach colors, contact paper and paint chips are fun for young children.
Neon Water Play
Grab the color wheel! Neon colors are a new set of colors for your child to enjoy. Chat about which other colors neon looks like.
Shredded Paper Color Mix
This colorful sensory bin got messy, but it was also so much fun! Try to keep the shredded paper contained. My problem started when I looked away. (sigh)
Magic Chalk
Color mixing has never been so fun! Your little learners explore science by squitting chalk paint to make new colors.
Fine motor color activities
Let’s kick off this activity list to identify colors and also improve fine motor skills. Fine motor muscles are the small muscles in the hand and we can strengthen them for pencil grip and writing later in life now. Chefs kiss when fine motor meets cognitive development with color sorting.
Color the Pup Tower
Before we ask a child to write their name, we must offer markers and art supplies to practice making lines and curves. This idea also helps improve visual perception.
Color Memory Match
This fun game requires a child to hold a steady hand and grasp the craft stick to find matching colors.
Bear Caves Color Sort
These counting bears are also great for color sorting. Draw a few colored caves and let imaginary play do its thing.
Magnetic Color Match
Toddlers use magnetic tiles to look at and sort basic colors on the fridge. The best part is that it is a tactile matching game that helps a child remember what they learn and practice.
Drive and Park Color Sort
If your child enjoys race cars, this color-sorting activity also incorporates movement when you play on the ground.
Color Run
Get small children moving with this color sorting game. Place pom poms on one side and invite your child to run them to the other using tongs to sort. Play outdoors or in a long hallway.
Art activities
Art activities are a great way to introduce colors to your toddler and continue exploring colors with big kids. Below are some creative activities for all ages.
DIY Watercolors
Here is how to bring old and dull markers back to life. Older children have lots of fun setting this activity up!
Color Splatter Paint
Take splatter paint outside and begin to chat about the different colors used and your child creates. Save the design and use it for wrapping paper!
Rainbow Hearts
Preschool activities are anything but boring. These Valentine’s hearts are a creative way to begin reinforce the colors of the rainbow.
Painting with Toddlers
When I paint with my toddler, I use one or two colors at a time for him to begin exploring the different color combinations. Use a sensory bin to keep the mess contained!
Rainbow Paper Weaving
You only need paper strips and a piece of cardboard to introduce paper weaving. Explore the colors of the rainbow, or go in your artistic direction.
Looking for more ways to introduce and play with colors?
Here are even more ideas from some of my favorite kid activity blogger friends:
- Rainbow Toast – Happily Ever Mom
- Painting on the Table with Kids – The Workspace for Children
- Colored Salt – The Best Ideas for Kids
- Color Matching Caterpillar – Fantastic Fun and Learning
Empower your child with skills to thrive.
24 low-prep activities and relatable conversation starters that equip kids for life.
- Order the easy-to-follow activity cards.
- Build the foundation for social-emotional learning.
- Notice a shift in self-confidence and self-regulation as you and your child implement what you practice.
