I Can Make a Rainbow!

By Liz Ainsworth

Bangkok is a city full of bright colors! Everywhere you look, there’s something new to see—red buses, golden temples, green trees, and so much more. 

All these colors can make us feel different feelings. Sometimes the city feels busy and noisy, and that might make you feel a little bit nervous. Other times it feels exciting and fun, and that can make you feel happy!

Let’s try a color mixing activity to show the colors and feelings that Bangkok gives us. What colors do you think of when you think about Bangkok?

Challenge:

• Can you make the following colors: green, orange, purple, brown, black?
• Which colors made new colors when mixed together?
• Can you match any of the colors to feelings?

Materials:

• six pots
• paint brushes
• A4 paper
• scissors
• string
• red, yellow, and blue paint
• staples, glue, or tape

Activity 1: Color mixing

Step 1. First put out two colors, for example, red and yellow, in two separate pots. Ask your child to combine them in another pot.

Step 2. Repeat with new colors, for example, blue and yellow.

Step 3. Repeat again with new colors, for example, red and blue.

Step 4. Ask your child:

• What colors did we start with?
• What happened when you mixed them together?
• Which colors make green? Which colors make orange?
• Can you now paint the paper using the two colors and mixing them together?

Step 5. Ask your child to help you wash the pots and brushes. Ask them—what do you notice about the water when cleaning the pots and brushes?

You can make as many different combinations of colors as you wish to see what others you discover! 

Activity 2: Bunting

Step 1. Once the paint is dry from the color-mixing activity, cut a few triangles from the paper.

Step 2. Fold the top of each triangle over (at least two centimetres) to create a flap.

Step 3. Lay the string along the fold, then fold the flap over so the string is sandwiched inside. Then use either staples, tape, or glue to secure the triangle to the string. Repeat until you have attached all of your triangles to the string.

Step 4. Hang your bunting for all to see!

About the Author:

Liz is an early years specialist from Scotland and mom of two with a passion for hands-on, creative learning. She believes in giving children access to creative outlets for learning and using their critical thinking in play, particularly in areas of science, art, and physical development.