The world of color: activities that teach kids reds, blues and greens

Colors are everywhere.  From an early age, children are introduced to the basic primary colors in their everyday activities and lessons.  Because colors surround us in our homes and outdoors, it is important that children know what they are.  There are many ways to introduce children to the world of color.  Playing with paint or coloring pages with crayons are simple, yet effective ways to accomplish this task.  But it doesn’t stop there.  There are many activities that parents can introduce their children to in order to start knowing and recognizing the various shades of a rainbow.

Here are some fun and effective ways to teach children about color.

Identifying colors by flash cards

Start with two index cards and color them with two separate colors.  Have your child choose one of the cards and have them go around the house to find an item that is of similar color.  Have the child bring that item back.  Let the child tell you what he or she found and what color it was.  Repeat this with the other flash card.  Another variation is to collect random items that are the same color as one of the cards.  Have your child place that particular card on the pile of similar-colored items.  Repeat this activity with the other card.  This game isn’t just limited to interior things.  Take your child outside and have them find items in the yard or around that house that are the same colors as the flashcards.

Sorting laundry

Before putting clothes away in the closet or dresser, ask your child to separate the laundry in piles of similar colors.

Finger painting/coloring

Kids love to color.  By sitting down with them as they color, point out what each color is and ask them to repeat it back to you.  You can also suggest that several things are certain colors.  For example, if there is a picture of a girl in a coloring book, ask that the child color the hair yellow, the dress blue, and her shoes red.

Color toss

Find some fabric of different sizes and colors and cut them into little squares.  Arrange them a few feet away from you and your child.  Give your child a beanbag to throw at the squares by yelling out which color they should be aiming at.

Include color in your daily lives

This is simple and can be done on a regular basis.  Whether you are at the grocery store or at the kitchen table, tell your child what colors different items are.  It can be anything from the yellow banana in the kitchen, to the red car in the parking lot, or the green shopping carts at the supermarket.

Decorating the bedroom

Ask your child what colors he or she would like his bedroom decorated.  By having your child help decorate the bedroom, colors can be learned at the same time as well.  Your child can suggest favorite colors for the bedspread, curtains or rug.