Test tube color mixing and painting | Teach Preschool

There are so many ways to explore colors in preschool but one of my favorite ways to invite conversation and reinforce color recognition is through any kind of color mixing experience…

I found these plastic “test tubes” at Walmart last year mixed up in all the Halloween stuff.  They were filled with candy and being sold as “magic potion” or something like that for kids.  I bought several sets of test tube candy filled containers on sale and added the candy to our trick or treat bags but hung on to the test tubes for other uses in my classroom…

When I told my nephew that we were going to go over to the preschool so he could paint with me, he immediately told me that he didn’t want to paint.  My nephew has never been all that interested in painting, and I knew that. This is why I tried to make the “invitation to paint” irresistible….

As soon as my nephew saw the test tubes, he asked excitedly, “What are we going to do with that?”  Then he took off the lids and got busy exploring all the colors of paint. I filled each test tube with one part tempera paint and one part water. My nephew’s job was to shake the test tubes so the water and paint would mix together then to remove all the lids from the tubes so he could paint…

I had to show my nephew how to squeeze the end of the dropper, put it in the tube, then let go so he could fill up the dropper with paint.  We used the words, “Squeeze, dip, and let go!”  After a few tries, he caught on to how to work the dropper. The focus on using the dropper combined with all the colors and the freedom to drip paint all over his paper had my nephew hooked…

My nephew explored the paint and droppers for quite some time and while he explored we talked about which colors he was using. At first he went color by color but soon he switched back and forth, mixing colors on his paper then eventually mixing colors in the tubes as well…

A simple activity that led to lots of exploration and a great opportunity to explore all our colors!

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Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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