This is a great activity that can be done anytime throughout the year and can be combined with a nature hike or other outdoor activities.
MATERIALS & LOCATION NEEDED:
- Paint color chips/swatches (available free at paint or hardware stores) or your can print a color wheel
- Depending upon the season, but greens, yellows and browns are a great place to start
- It is best to do this activity outside on a nature walk or even in a backyard
WHAT TO DO:
- Before going on a nature hike, talk about all the colors in nature to help children prepare for the activity.
- Give each child a paint swatch and talk about all the various shade of each color. For example, green. In nature there are lots of green items, but different shades.
- Give each child at least one paint swatch as you head out for a nature walk and ask them to find three natural items that match the colors on their swatch. (Caution them to not touch or pick any plants or flowers.
- After several minutes of exploring, gather the children together and ask them to share their discoveries.
- Then ask:
-
- Was it hard to find the exact color matches?
- Did you find more than one kind of thing that was exactly the same color?
- Were you surprised by how many different shade of green, yellow and brown you found?
APPLICATION:
Ask:
- Look around your home and school – how many of nature’s colors can you find? Look at clothing, books, and even paint on the walls.
BOOKS TO READ:
- Tell me, Tree by Gail Gibbons
- Over in the Meadow by Olive A. Wadsworth
- Nature’s Hidden World by Ingrid Selberg
- The Listening Walk by Paul Showers
This printable activity and others can be found at: https://u.osu.edu/cloverbudconnections/click-it/
Source: This Big Book of 4-H Cloverbud Activities at Home works well with Chapter 19 in The Big Book of 4-H Cloverbud Activities available through OSU Extension offices or online at extensionpubs.osu.edu. Ohio residents get the best price when they order and pick up their purchases through local Extension offices.