Blue and Yellow Color Mix

Blue and yellow food coloring used for children to explore color mixing

This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to think about friendship as they explore color mixing.

Materials Needed:

  • “Little Blue and Little Yellow” by Leo Lionni
  • Yellow and blue food coloring
  • Two glasses
  • Water

Participants: This activity is intended for adult/child interaction.

Directions:

  1. Read (or watch online) Leo Lionni’s classic picture book, “Little Blue, Little Yellow.” Talk about your child’s friends. What do they like to do together? Would your child like to act out some of the elements of the story, such as running, jumping, or climbing a mountain? You could also discuss how, like Little Blue and Little Yellow’s friends, our friends all look different, which makes life richer and more interesting.
  2. Fill a glass halfway with water and add several drops of yellow food coloring.
  3. Repeat the process, but add several drops of blue food coloring.
  4. Combine the two glasses to make green. Try making different shades of green by adding less or more food coloring or make new colors.
Bright Horizons
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Bright Horizons
Bright Horizons
In 1986, our founders saw that child care was an enormous obstacle for working parents. On-site centers became one way we responded to help employees – and organizations -- work better. Today we offer child care, elder care, and help for education and careers -- tools used by more than 1,000 of the world’s top employers and that power many of the world's best brands
Blue and yellow food coloring used for children to explore color mixing