Printable Color Wheel Activity

We have been learning about colors. Once we started discussing primary and secondary colors, I decided to make this color wheel. KJ has been having lots of fun with it and asks to use it almost daily.

So, this is our color wheel in action. First, you will need to download and print the color wheel I made from here. Laminate it or slide it into a sheet protector. (We used my new Scotch Laminator and I am loving it!!! So much better than trying to use clear contact paper all the time!) Now, get your supplies together.

You will need: 
food coloring (red, yellow, and blue)
paper towels
a dropper (we used an old medicine dropper)
a cup for water
3 containers/cups for food coloring
toothpicks
the printable color wheel (from my Color Wheel webpage)

Here is what you do: First, dilute the food coloring a bit. Use the dropper to place a drop of each color onto the appropriate dot on the paper (i.e. one yellow dropped on each yellow dot on the paper, blue dropped on each blue dot on paper... and so forth) until all of the dots are covered with the appropriate color. Be sure to clean the dropper in a cup of water each time you switch colors.

Next, use the toothpick to mix the colors in each circle. We found that it works best if you turn the toothpick a bit on its side rather than trying to mix while holding the toothpick straight up. Use a different toothpick for each circle.

Once all the circles of color are mixed together so that you have six little blobs of color (one in each circle), place a paper towel over the paper.

 

Finally, lift up your color wheel and discuss how each color was made!

I got the idea for this color mixing activity from Itty Bitty Love.

Be sure to check out my new color wheel printable with the tertiary colors!

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