Rainbow Color-Mixing Art Activity for Kids

Rainbow art! It’s a sign of spring (and also a fun St. Patrick’s Day project when you pair one with a pot of gold). Even though it snowed enough today for my son’s school to cancel, I’m still wishfully thinking about the spring weather. So, in honor of that wish – I’m making color mixing rainbows today.

Painting a rainbow is a relatively easy. Really, it’s just a few curved lines in rows. That said, for a child who still can’t tie her own shoes, write her name or cut her food, painting curved lines is a challenge. A challenge that can help to build fine motor skills, that is. I know, I know—as an adult it’s super easy to take the little things for granted. Cutting a piece of paper, signing your name and buttoning your pants may seem simple to you. To your young child, these are all skills that she may have yet to master. That brings me back to painting a rainbow. Sure, it’s a cute craft. And, who doesn’t want to hang a colorful creation up on the fridge? But, it’s also a great way for your child to practice fine motor skills and get ready to write. Is she already writing, drawing and doing other things that require finger and hand coordination? This art activity still provides some extra practice, allows her to stretch her artistic muscle and gets her thinking.

Thinking? Did I mention that she only gets four colors to paint a rainbow? Yep. Just the primary colors (red, yellow and blue) and white (your child doesn’t have to use the white, but can if she wants to lighten any of the hues). No, she’s not painting a primary color rainbow. She has to mix the colors to make other ones, building a rainbow that has red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. She can also add a few in-between colors such pink or lilac if she wants.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        Tempera paint in the primary colors and white

·        White card stock paper – You can use other types of paper, but I like card stock (or poster board) because it’s thicker and doesn’t curl as much when the wet paint hits it.

·        A paintbrush

·        A palette or wax paper—Wax paper is my favorite inexpensive palette.

Here’s What to Do:

1.     Pour four golf ball-sized pools of paint onto the palette (one for each color).

 

2.     Mix the paint. Have your child explore and experiment mixing until she makes green, orange and purple. Ask her to add in some white to see what happens.

 

3.     Paint the rainbow. Add one stripe at a time until your child uses all of her freshly-made colors!

 

Are you looking for more kids’ art activities? Follow my process art Pinterest board for ideas!

Follow Mini Monets and Mommies's board Process Art for Kids on Pinterest.