Shapes & colours
Colour flashcards
Ten bold colour cards for naming, sorting and finding familiar objects, with clear labels for grown-ups.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Picture cards · Free printable
Colour mixing play pack
This is a little experiment, with room for surprises. Use the colour cards to choose paints, predict what might happen and talk about the result. Different paints make different shades, so the aim is to observe and describe rather than reproduce a perfect colour wheel.
Take a little peek7 items · Original illustrations
red
orange
yellow
green
blue
purple
Big clear pictures. Labels you can reveal.
Inside the printable
First page shown. The download includes the complete activity and grown-up guidance.
What we’re exploring
Practise predicting, testing and comparing while exploring how familiar paint colours can mix.
A little way to play
- An adult sets out washable paint, a protected surface and separate brushes or mixing tools. Use products suitable for the child.
- Choose two colours, show their cards and ask what your child thinks the mixture might look like.
- Mix a small amount of each on a separate surface. Put the mixture next to its closest colour card.
- Try changing the amounts. Describe the new mixture and leave a small painted sample on spare paper.
Make it easier
Offer just yellow and blue and make one mixture together. Your child can choose, watch or describe rather than handle the paint.
Try a little moreMake two samples using the same colours but different proportions. Once dry, compare them in the same light and invent a descriptive name for each.
For the grown-up
Use paint, not coloured light, for this activity. Red, yellow and blue classroom paints often give orange, green and purple mixtures, but pigment choice can produce duller results. Keep paint away from mouths and follow its label.
Answers & naming help
Typical paint observations: red plus yellow can make orange; yellow plus blue can make green; blue plus red can make purple. More white usually lightens a mixture. Your observed shade is the answer, even when it differs from the card.
red · orange · yellow · green · blue · purple · white
How do I print this?
Choose your vocabulary and paper size, then download the PDF. Print at actual size or 100%. Use the low-ink option for outline activities; colour-name cards still need their colour to teach the word. Cut-and-stack mini-books are available in the flashcard maker.
Helpful parent guides
Keep the discoveries going.
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Colour scavenger hunt
A flexible colour hunt for the living room, classroom or outdoors. Point to a find or bring back a safe object.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Days & weather
Weather cards
Six weather pictures for looking outside, naming what you notice and keeping a simple daily observation.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity