[vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_ctation ctaction_background=”#2F5CC1″ ctaction_background_hover=”#2F5CC1″]Move beyond color recognition into science investigation while exploring colors in nature with kids this Spring![/ultimate_ctation][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Color is one of the earliest educational concepts kids start to learn, but there is so much more fun to be had with colors throughout a child’s education.
As spring blooms, so do all the flowers and colors of the season! Going outside to explore easily becomes a science lesson and adventure all in one! Check out the list below of ways to explore colors in nature with kids and try them all or pick your favorite.
1. Color Wheel Collection
For this activity, start by drawing a color wheel on a paper plate. Use markers to color in the different sections. Then, collect natural materials like flowers, petals, grass, and leaves. Try to find at least one item of each color on your wheel. Once you’ve collected enough items, match them to the corresponding colors on your color wheel to see the full range of beautiful colors of Spring in bloom.
2. Shades of Color Scavenger Hunt
Not only does nature provide a beautiful range of colors, it gives us the chance to see colors in countless shades. Think about the shades of green we see on trees, grass, and plants or the shades of pink we see on various spring flowers. For this activity, have kids choose a color and go on a scavenger hunt to find 5 shades of that color in nature. Give them a piece of paper and crayons to draw each colored item as they find it.
3. Pondering the Purpose of Color
Take a walk around the yard or neighborhood with kids and observe activity happening around flowers of different colors. Do some flowers have more bees? Are some being eaten by critters? Let kids make observations and guesses about the role colors play in nature. For example, red flowers attract hummingbirds while purple and yellow flowers are more likely to attract bees!
These simple outdoor activities for kids build observation and analysis skills through fun exploration. These science skills are a bonus to practicing colors and enjoying the beauty of nature!