Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Rainbow Colour Mixing: Free Printable Worksheet for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Rainbow Colour Mixing is a free printable science worksheet for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children look at two colours, say what they think will happen when they mix, then mix real paint and colour in what they got. It needs paint, a pencil or crayons, and an adult to sit alongside.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
The sheet is built around a simple table with two headings: Mix and I got. Under Mix, children see the colours to combine. Under I got, they colour in the result. Before they touch the paint, they say what they think will happen. Then they mix, look closely and colour the answer. It is a short, hands on way to practise guessing and noticing.
- Mix
- I got
Getting ready to mix
Washable paint only
Choose washable paint so spills come out of clothes and wipe off tables. Put out only the colours the sheet needs.
Small amounts
A small blob of each colour on a plate or palette is plenty. Mixing is easier to see when there is not too much.
Cover up
Put an apron on your child and cover the table with newspaper or a wipe clean cloth. An adult sets this up first.
Rinse and wipe
Keep a pot of water and a cloth nearby. Rinse the brush between colours so each mix stays clear.
Why mix colours in Reception?
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, science sits within Understanding the World. Children explore the natural world by looking closely, handling materials and talking about what they notice. Colour mixing suits this well. The change happens in front of them, it is easy to repeat, and it needs very little equipment.
Making a prediction is an early scientific habit. When a child says what they think will happen before they mix, they are testing an idea, not just playing. A guess that turns out different is still useful. It gives you something real to talk about, and it shows children that surprises are a normal part of finding things out.
Paint is for the table, not for tasting. Stay with your child while they paint, use washable paint and wash hands afterwards. Keep brushes and pots away from very young brothers and sisters.
Fun facts about rainbows and colour
- A rainbow appears when sunlight shines through raindrops.
- The colours of a rainbow always come in the same order.
- To see a rainbow, the sun is usually behind you and the rain is in front.
- Red is on the outside edge of the main rainbow.
- Paint gets its colour from tiny particles called pigments.
Skills and curriculum link
- Predicting
- Colour names
- Careful observing
- Talking about change
- Using a table
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years Foundation Stage | Understanding the World | The Natural World | Reception |
What children will be able to do
- I can say what I think will happen when two colours mix.
- I can mix two colours and see what I get.
- I can talk about what changed.
Helping children predict and observe
- Ask before mixingAlways ask, "What do you think will happen?" first. Accept any answer and write it down if your child likes.
- Look closelyAfter mixing, ask your child to look at the paint for a moment. Is it the same as their guess? What is different?
- Use simple wordsModel words such as mix, change, darker and lighter. Children pick up science language by hearing it used.
- Talk about surprisesIf the result is not what they expected, say, "Interesting!" Then ask what they would like to try next.
Key words
- PredictSay what you think will happen before you try it.
- MixStir two or more things together so they become one.
- ObserveLook carefully and notice what you see.
- ResultWhat you get at the end.
- TableA grid that helps you keep your answers tidy.
- WashablePaint that comes out of clothes in the wash.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and the answers.
- Set up paint, brushes, a pot of water and an apron. An adult does the set up.
- Read the first row together. Ask your child to say what they think the mix will make before they paint.
- Mix the two colours, look closely and colour the I got box. Talk about what changed.
- Check with page 2 and come back another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say what you think before you mix. Use the sentence, "I think we will get..." Do one row at a time and take a break if needed. Let your child stir the paint and describe what they see.
To stretch confident children
Try white with each colour. Mix a little of each colour with white, then look at the results side by side. Ask your child what changed and talk about how the new colours look different from the first ones.
Make it a game
Mix all three colours together. First, everyone guesses what they will get and says it out loud. Then mix and look. Whoever guessed closest scores a point. Play again with a new guess.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child mixes first and says their guess afterwards.
Try thisSlow down and use a sentence starter: "I think we will get..." Say it together, then mix.
Watch forThe colours look dull or muddy, or the paper goes soggy.
Try thisRinse the brush between colours, use small amounts and mix only the colours in that row. Thicker paper helps.
Watch forA child is upset because their guess was not right.
Try thisSay that guessing and being surprised is how scientists learn. Ask, "What would you like to try next?"
Talk about it
- What colour do you think you will make, and why?
- What happened when you mixed them?
- Was it what you expected? What was different?
- Which two colours would you like to try next?
- Where have you seen lots of colours together, like in a rainbow?
- How could we make a colour lighter or darker?
Take it off the page
Rainbow hunt
Walk around the house or garden and find something for each colour you know. Talk about which colours were easy and hard to find.
Water and food colouring
With an adult, add a drop of food colouring to clear cups of water. Look at how the colour spreads. The adult handles the colouring.
Rainbow collage
Tear paper in different colours and stick the pieces on a sheet in the order of a rainbow. Name each colour as you go.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Ask for a guess before every mix, and praise the thinking. Keep paint to a small amount so it is easy to clear up.
Teachers
Use it as a table activity, a starter for a colour topic or an early finisher task. It needs only paint, brushes and printing. Listen for the reasoning children give when they predict. Page 2 offers support and stretch for mixed groups.
Home educators
Pair it with a rainbow walk, picture books about colour and painting outdoors. The sheet is free to print again, so younger and older children can try it side by side, or you can repeat it after a few weeks.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this sheet, children explore paint freely and learn to name colours. They get used to talking about what they see and to waiting their turn with shared materials.
After it, children keep practising predicting and observing in simple experiments. In Key Stage 1 science, they begin to ask questions, notice changes in everyday materials and talk about what they found out.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What colour do you think you will make, and why?
- What happened when you mixed them?
- Which two colours would you like to try next?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Rainbow Colour Mixing for?
It is written for Reception, ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It works best when a grown up sits alongside, because children are mixing paint and talking about their ideas.
- What do we need to do the sheet?
You need paint, a brush, water, a plate or palette, an apron and crayons or pencils. Use washable paint. An adult sets everything up and stays nearby while children mix.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another group, and use it again later to practise.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. Black and white printing on plain A4 paper works well. Children add the colour themselves, using paint to mix and crayons or pencils to colour in the result.
- What if my child finds it hard?
Ask them to say what they think before they mix, using the sentence, "I think we will get..." Work on one row at a time and talk about what changes. Page 2 has more help.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a table activity, a starter, an early finisher task or a science link to a colour topic. It needs only printing, paint and brushes. It supports Understanding the World in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- How long should we spend on it?
There is no set time. Let your child work at their own pace and stop when they lose interest. You can do one row now and come back to the rest another day.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.