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
Look & find · Free printable
Colour scavenger hunt
Turn an ordinary room into a noticing game. Pick a colour card and look together for something similar. This hunt works without collecting anything: a child can point, describe, look towards an object or tell an adult where to look. You only need a few cards to begin.
Take a little peek8 items · Original illustrations
red
orange
yellow
green
blue
purple
Picture-play preview shown. The PDF contains the look & find layout.
Inside the printable
First page shown. The download includes the complete activity and grown-up guidance.
What we’re exploring
Use colour words in real situations and explain a simple match.
A little way to play
- Choose three colours and agree where the hunt will happen. Keep the area small enough to explore comfortably.
- Show the first card and name its colour. Look slowly together rather than race against a timer.
- When someone finds a match, say its name: “A red cushion!” Compare the object with the card.
- Swap roles or choose another colour. End with each person showing a favourite find.
Make it easier
An adult places two safe, familiar objects in view. Ask which one looks more like the chosen card. Repeat the same colour with a new object.
Try a little moreFind two objects of the same colour but different shapes. Try a two-colour hunt for a patterned item, or sort your finds from lighter to darker.
For the grown-up
An adult checks the space and anything collected. Do not pick plants or touch unknown objects outdoors. Pictures in a book work well when moving around is not suitable.
Answers & naming help
There is no fixed object answer. A find is a sensible match when its visible colour resembles the chosen card. Objects with several colours can match several cards. Ask the child to show the part they mean.
red · orange · yellow · green · blue · purple · pink · brown
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.
More shapes & colours ↗Shapes & colours
First shapes flashcards
Eight clear shape cards to show, name and print, with hidden labels and a simple answer guide for adults.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Words & picture cards
Everyday objects picture cards
Familiar home objects with British and American labels, ready for pointing, naming and “what do we use it for?” games.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity