Help kids learn the basics of color theory with this Printable Color Wheel Classroom Activity. It’s hands-on, engaging, and perfect for introducing students to primary and secondary colors in a fun and creative way.
A suggested activity is to print the color wheel template on each of the 3 primary and 3 secondary colors of printer paper. The teacher (parent) can cut the triangles apart, or each child can be given a sheet of paper and instructed to cut apart the 6 same-color triangles. The children can share the triangles until they have one of each color which they can then paste to the labeled color wheel paper. This works well if you have a group of 6, 12 or 18 children (multiples of 6). Else, the teacher may need to cut apart a few of the pages.
This Printable Color Wheel Activity includes two templates:
- A labeled color wheel for guidance
- An unlabeled color wheel for custom color application
What You’ll Need:
- Free Printouts for Labeled Color Wheel Template and Unlabeled Color Wheel Template
- Printer paper in the Primary and Secondary colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
- Scissors and glue sticks
- Optional: crayons, markers, paint, or construction paper
How to Set Up the Color Wheel Activity
- Print the Templates:
Print the Labeled Color Wheel Template on white printer paper and the Unlabeled Color Wheel Template on the colored paper. There will be one of each copy for each student. - Cut and Share:
Children can cut out the six triangles from their page of either the primary or secondary colors. Have the children trade around the tringles until the have one of each of the colors. - Build the Color Wheel:
Using the labeled template as a guide, children match each colored triangle to the correct spot.
They then glue the colored triangles in place to complete their color wheel.
This activity not only teaches color identification—it also encourages collaboration, fine motor skills, and matching practice.
Optional Art Extensions
Want to mix it up a bit? Try these creative twists:
- Use construction paper instead of the printer paper. Children can cut out the needed shapes and colors for their wheel.
- Children can use crayons, markers or paint for each of the triangles.
- Cut colors from magazines for a recycled art approach. You can find the instructions here: Color Wheel Classroom Activity.
More Color Wheel Classroom Ideas:
- Color Wheel Classroom Activity – using magazine clippings.
- Color Wheel Bookmarks – a great way to learn primary and secondary colors.
- Magic Potion Drink – combine Art and Science in this fun experiment.
- Color Word Search – Word Scramble – another printout for an Art themed lesson.
I was very fortunate to have had a fantastic, dedicated art teacher in my elementary school. It wasn’t until many years later that I fully appreciated what I had learned from her. The important connection of primary, secondary and even analogous colors is evident in all types of art.
