To prepare the printable, cut out the lenses and run the sheets through the laminator. I used my laminator at home because my sheets are a bit thicker than the laminator machines at school. Cardstock is recommended to unsure a durable work mat!

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Find the Printable for this Activity HERE!

Check out the COLOR AND SHAPE ACTIVITY BUNDLE HERE!

Once the sheets are prepped, decide if you want to use cellophane sheets to color the lenses or if you want students to color them with dry erase or chalk markers.

Here is the cellophane method:

Tape a strip of cellophane to the back of the lenses and you are all set! This gives a very smooth and colorful finish, which is great for viewing! The cellophane is also a good option if you are using thinner lamination and regular printer paper. Erasing dry erase marker over and over again on the lenses portion might cause wear and tear on thinner work mats, so the cellophane would help the mats last longer!

Here is the Marker Method:

Another option is to keep the lenses clear and let the children color the lenses with dry erase or chalk markers! My preschoolers and second grade son both really enjoyed this option. They thought it was fun to create colorful lenses all by themselves. 

This is all great fine motor work for little ones! Both the cellophane and marker options are great, and you can choose one that works best for your class… OR try them both! Keep dry erase liquid cleaner on hand for easy clean up. 

There are four different color activities for kids included in this packet and it includes both black&white and color options for printing. Here are the directions for the first activity!

Activity 1: Trace the Shapes

First, color the lenses (if there isn’t cellophane), look through them and say the name of the color.

Next, say the names of the objects and color them with dry erase or chalk markers. Objects on the coloring mats and sorting sheets (next activity) are the same.

Last, Erase the marker. 

Activity 2: Sort the pictures

First, color the lenses (if there isn’t cellophane), look through them and say the name of the color.

Next, say the names of the objects on the cards and sort them on the correct side. Object names are listed in the product.

Last, erase the marker.

Activity 3: Trace the words

First, color the lenses (if there isn’t cellophane), look through them and say the name of the color.

Next, trace the color words and say the color name.

Last, erase the marker. 

Activity 4: Write the words

First, color the lenses (if there isn’t cellophane), look through them and say the name of the color.

Next, write the color words on the lines.

Last, erase the marker. 

The colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink work best for these activiteis. It’s easiest to find the supplies for these colors and they look really inviting and fun to play with. I included brown, black, white and grey/gray for teachers that want to make complete sets and might have access to supplies that I don’t access to. Here is a list of supplies to help you get started!

Supplies:

• Color Activity printable
• Cardstock or printer paper- I recommend cardstock for a more durable work mat. 
• Laminator machine
• Scissors
• Dry Erase or Chalk Markers- If you want one marker for every color offered in the product, you might need to buy multiple sets. This set has most of the colors needed. I have only found white in chalk marker sets. Please note that chalk markers are not quite as see-through as dry erase markers and will leave lines on the lenses, but they still work and are easier to clean! Here is an entire set with all of the colors needed for the activity. 
• Colored cellophane- Just like the markers, you will need to do some searching for all the colors offered in the product. Here is a great set that offers the rainbow colors. Here is a black cellophane roll. I would use that set for both gray and black. Just use one sheet for gray and 2 sheets for black. Here is a white polka dot cellophane roll (white is tough to find) and here is a brown cellophane roll!
• Dry Erase Marker Cleaner

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Pin this activity to save it for later!

I hope you try these color activities for kids! I promise, your little learners will love it as much as my boys and preschoolers.

∼Tara

Looking for more fun printables for kids?! Check out:

4 Ways to Use Story Stones in the Classroom

Nature Collection Journal for Kids

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