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Color Mixing Magic

In Color Mixing Magic, children are introduced to the magical world of colors! This activity encourages them to explore, experiment, and learn about primary colors and how they can be mixed to form new colors. It’s a fantastic way to hone their observation, prediction, and recording skills, all while having fun with colors and water!
Color Mixing Magic - Kids activities

Summary

Appropriate kid’s energy level

Calm

Skill(s) developed

Creativity, Fine motor, Sensory

Prep time

5 minutes

Type of activity

Arts/Crafts, Science

Appropriate setting(s)

Both indoors and outdoors

Material(s) needed

Water, Food coloring in primary colors (red, yellow, blue), Clear cups or bowls, Spoons, Droppers, Paper, Pencil

Easy mode

In the easy mode, children will mix two primary colors (red, yellow, blue) by dropping food coloring into water and stirring with spoons. They will observe the color transformation happening right before their eyes!

Hard mode

In the hard mode, children are encouraged to predict the outcome before mixing the colors. Will red and blue give purple? Or will yellow and red give orange? Let’s find out!

Challenge mode

In the challenge mode, children will use droppers to mix the colors. They will also record their own color mix ‘recipes’, keeping track of the colors and the number of drops used to create each new color.

Some prompts to encourage the kid

  • Let’s create our own rainbow of colors!
  • Can you predict what color we will get if we mix red and blue?
  • Wow, you’re a color magician with those droppers!
  • Should we write down our magical color recipe?

Important things to keep in mind

  • This activity not only promotes creativity and independent play, but also introduces children to basic science and math concepts
  • Keep an eye on the children while they handle the food coloring to avoid staining.

More ideas to support your Screen-Free journey

Loved this activity? Explore our thoughtful guides for raising curious, independent kids:

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Why we created Screen Free Kids?

We’re parents, just like you – trying to raise curious, creative kids in a world full of screens. Screen Free Kids started as a personal project to rediscover simple, joyful ways to play, learn, and connect. Now, we share those ideas with thousands of families  – through thoughtful activities, parenting guides, and a book full of inspiration. More about us.

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We’ve gathered our screen free parenting guide + all our screen-free favorites into one easy-to-use collection. Perfect for busy days, travel, or when you just need a quick idea. Full of low-prep, mess-free activities, all organized by kid's energy level. Available for Kindle, as a PDF, or as a beautifully printed book (in select countries).
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