Unit Plan 5 (PreK Art): Color Mixing Fun
Preschool art unit where children explore paint mixing by blending primary colors, discovering new colors, and experimenting with brushes, sponges, and playful color swirls.
Focus: Experiment with paint and color blending through playful exploration.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Creating)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 weeks, 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, preschool children discover the joy of color mixing using paint. They explore what happens when two colors touch, overlap, or swirl together, noticing how new colors appear. Children experiment with tools like brushes, sponges, and fingers (if appropriate) to see how different motions and amounts of paint change their results. The focus is on safe, guided exploration and noticing changes, not on perfect pictures. By the end of the unit, children can try mixing at least two colors, talk about the new color they see, and begin to recognize that they can make new colors by blending.
Essential Questions
- What happens when I mix two colors together?
- How can I use paint and tools to make new colors?
- How do different motions (dabbing, swirling, brushing) change how colors mix?
- How does it feel to experiment and see colors change right in front of me?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Children will be able to:
- Experiment with paint using brushes, sponges, or fingers (if appropriate) to mix colors on paper or trays.
- Try combining at least two different colors and notice what new color appears.
- Use simple language to talk about their color discoveries (e.g., “Red and yellow made orange.”).
- Follow basic safety and clean-up expectations when working with paint (e.g., paint stays on paper, hands are washed after).
- Show enjoyment and curiosity while exploring color blending and trying new combinations.
Standards Alignment — PreK (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr2.PKa — Experiment with art materials such as paint, clay, paper, and collage tools.
- Example: Children explore mixing colors with their fingers or brushes.
Success Criteria — Child-Friendly Language
- I can try mixing two colors of paint.
- I can see and say what new color I made.
- I can use my tools so that paint stays on my paper or tray.
- I can help clean up after painting by putting tools away and washing my hands.
- I can tell a grown-up which color mixing was my favorite.