Grouping pictures or items by color is one of the simplest classification systems available to young children, since color is such an obvious attribute. The following worksheets will challenge your child to rely on strong visual discrimination skills to group items by major color group.

Many children first begin identifying different colors when they are two or two and a half. Around this time, they can likely point to something red, for example, when given that verbal instruction by a parent. As a child’s speech develops, they can begin saying aloud the proper name of each color as they observe it in the environment. The ability to identify colors by name will allow your child to more meaningfully observe his surroundings and to better describe what he sees.

Matching Colors in Pictures-Red

When introducing these color worksheets to learn colors, begin by pointing to the color word at the top of the page as you read it. Then, ask your child to repeat after you and say aloud the color’s name by himself.

Once your child is able to properly say the name of the color word, encourage him to view all the pictures on the page and circle any pictures that contain the featured color and to cross out any pictures that do not contain the featured color. If your child hesitates when either circling or crossing out a picture, ask him to point to the different colors in the picture as he names them. For example, a picture of the American flag has the colors blue, red, and white in it. As your child points to and says aloud the three different colors, he will be able to more confidently identify that the American flag has the color blue (the featured color for that color worksheet) in it.

After your child successfully completes a color worksheet, grab a nearby book or magazine and challenge your child to flip through it, searching for more pictures that contain the featured color. Or, encourage him to run to his closet and quickly get dressed with an item of clothing that contains the featured color. Your child will delight in running back and forth to his closet each time he completes a different color worksheet and the physical activity will help him from getting restless or bored as he learns colors with these color worksheets.

Importance of helping children learn colors

Children are exposed to a variety of things each day and frequently learn by seeing. An easy way to distinguish between different things is to note what color each item is. Plus, each color comes in many different shades and it will be important for your child to learn that each shade of red, for example, is still red, although some reds may be darker or lighter than other reds.

Learning colors is generally a fun activity for children, as colors are naturally vibrant and engaging. The color worksheets featured on this page are designed to capture your child’s attention so he can more quickly learn the colors.

Tips for using color worksheets to learn colors

The easiest way for children to learn colors is to begin with one color at a time. Say aloud the name of the color featured on one color worksheet and have your child repeat after you. Each color word is printed in the corresponding color. While some children may discover this on their own, be sure to point it out to your child if he does not initially realize it.

When your child is able to properly say the name of the color on the particular color worksheet you are working on, have him look at each picture on the color worksheet and circle those pictures that contain the featured color. If your child struggles to determine whether a particular picture on the color worksheet has the featured color in it, encourage him to refer back to the color of the word printed at the top of the page. By comparing the color(s) in the picture with the color of the word, he will be able to confirm whether the picture contains the featured color.

Activities to learn colors

Allow your child to use an eye dropper to drop colored water onto white paper towels. Using an eye dropper and playing with colored water is a fun way to reinforce color names and discover how two colors mix together to form a third color.
As you walk through a parking lot, ask your child to find 2 cars that are the same color. Once he has picked two matching cars, ask him to name their color. Then, when you and your child are in the store, discuss the items you need to buy by referring to each item’s color, such as green apples or brown socks. Using those colors as clues, ask your child to help you find the items you need.
After your child gets dressed, ask him to find one item in the refrigerator or cupboard that has the same color as his shirt or pants. Or, challenge him to go into your closet and find an item of clothing in your size that contains the same color(s) as the clothing he is wearing. You can also let your child pick a favorite color then challenge him to find socks, pants, underwear and a shirt that all contains that color.
Buy a large box of crayons and choose three crayons of the same color and one crayon that is a slightly different shade. Ask your child to ﬁnd the crayon that is different. Then, ask him to say the name of the color of all the crayons.
Next time you’re walking outdoors with your child, take turns pointing to all the brown things you see including, tree branches, dirt, and cars. Remind your child that some items may be dark brown and some items may be light brown, but they are all in the color family of “brown” items.
Give your child a blank piece of printer paper and a handful of colored crayons or makers. Point out how the paper begins totally white, but the more he colors the less white that shows on the paper.