Colour Mixing Wheel Activity
This hands-on colour mixing activity introduces children to primary and secondary colours through direct experimentation. Using the printable colour wheel template, children paint the primary colours and then mix them to discover what new colours they can create. It is a foundational art skill presented as pure play.
Materials Needed
- Printed colour wheel template
- Red, yellow, and blue paint (washable)
- Paintbrush
- Palette or paper plate for mixing
- Water cup and paper towels
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Print and Prepare
Print the colour wheel template. Set up a painting area with the three primary colour paints, a brush, and a mixing palette.
- 2
Paint the Primary Colours
Show your child the three primary colour sections on the wheel (red, yellow, blue). Let them paint each section with the matching colour.
- 3
Mix to Discover
Point to the empty section between red and yellow. Ask: "What do you think happens when we mix these two?" Let them mix on the palette and paint the result (orange).
- 4
Complete the Wheel
Continue mixing: yellow + blue = green, blue + red = purple. Let your child discover each colour themselves.
- 5
Experiment Further
What happens when you add white? Or mix all three? Encourage free experimentation on a separate sheet.
What Your Child Will Learn
- 1Understanding primary and secondary colours
- 2Colour theory fundamentals
- 3Fine motor skills through painting
- 4Cause-and-effect reasoning
- 5Creative confidence and experimentation
Tips for Parents
Use washable paint and cover surfaces — the mess is part of the learning.
Ask open-ended questions: "What do you think will happen?" rather than giving answers.
Display the finished colour wheel on the fridge as a reference for future art projects.
Printable Worksheet Preview
MY COLOUR MIXING WHEEL
RED
? ?
BLUE YELLOW
Mix and discover!
Red + Yellow = ___________
Yellow + Blue = ___________
Blue + Red = ___________
Bonus: What happens when you mix ALL THREE primary colours?
Answer: ___________