h - colour mix handprints

Children in reception will be learning to:

Ask your child what we can use to paint with e.g. paintbrushes, sponges. Tell them that we can also use our hands to make handprints. What does hand start with? It starts with a h sound.

Show your child a flashcard/piece of paper with the letter h written on it. Alternatively, you could paint the letter h on the palm of their hand.

Tell your child that when we mix two of the paints together it will make the colour change. Can they guess what the new colour will be if they mix blue and yellow?

Paint their hand using blue paint, then get them to make a handprint on the paper. Help them to paint their other hand using yellow paint and get them to make another handprint on the paper. Then ask them to rub their hands together. What is happening to the paint?

Once the colours have mixed together to make a new colour, get them to add another set of handprints on the paper. Was their guess correct?

Wash their and dry their hands then have another go using red and yellow.

Repeat the activity using blue and red paint. We had to add more red to make a better purple.

My child hates getting paint on their hand...

If your child doesn't like paint on their hands, they could paint your hands instead. Or you could put blobs of paint into a zip lock bag, seal it and then mix them together.

If you have a go at this activity and share any photos on social media I would love to see them. Please tag @miniwritersclub and let me know how you get on.

Anna