The possibilities are endless with these color wheels! we took ours out for the first time in autumn, well because who doesn’t enjoy all the wonderful leaves! But then again in the winter, spring and summer.
We made these color wheels together out of cardboard from a diaper box! I showed them how to use two pencils and a string to draw a perfect circle. Then we divided the circle up with a ruler and they painted the triangles. I did help with that part, so they didn’t get too creative with mixing colors!
These little coloring wheels encourage adventuring outside. My kids had so much fun comparing each little treasure to their personal color wheel.
Learning
We went outside with these color wheels quite often. Even when I was just wanting to swim or do some yard work all of a sudden one of the kids would be bringing out their color wheel. They started to realize that there are different colors for each season. I was not indenting for them to learn that from the color wheel. I thought it would teach them to appreciate the outdoors and just be a fun project. Low and behold we were doing a lap book on the months of the year and I had them draw pictures of the seasons. My daughter said she needed orange because that’s her favorite part of fall the orange and red leaves. My son Jessiah mentioned that the leaves are green in the summer.
We can use these seemingly simple conversations to open up a variety of topics like: Why certain trees stay green. Why some plants keep their leaves and why others lose them in the winter. Talk to them about chlorophyll and nutrients. How like plants we need certain nutrients and why eating healthy is important. Children are so capable of learning in adultlike settings. It doesn't always have to be a silly song or a colorful worksheet. We really don't have to water everything down for them they are so smart.
When your eager to learn child asks you, a question take the time to really answer them. You are getting a unique opportunity to shape and mold them into who they are becoming.
veronica weaver
Throw in a picnic
As a mom of three children trust me when I tell you that kids go bonkers over a picnic. It doesn’t need to be anything extravagant; it can be Pb&j or leftover spaghetti. They will absolutely love to go on a walk at the park and find some neat little bits of nature and lay on a banket when they are done playing. They will probably ask day after day to go on another picnic. So your welcome!
Why I adore this craft
- hand eye coordination with clothes pins
- learning to observe
- painting in the lines hand control
- running outside exercise
- countless conversations
- a picnic