Color walk in nature

This time of year there are so many colors emerging- various shades of greens to each color of the rainbow. One fun activity I like to do is a Color Walk.

top-angle photography of succulent plants

There are a few ways I like to do color walks

1. In person, hand out Paint Chips

I hand out paint chips that I’ve gotten from the paint store. I mix up the cards and turn them upside down (so color is hidden).

Choose one card. Explore nature, searching for objects that perfectly match each shade on your card.

Online, I’ve done this activity a couple other ways:

2.) Get your loose colored pencils or markers or crayons.

  • Close your eyes.
  • Choose 2 colors at random
  • Go match these colors in nature.
  • For younger participants: match color group (like any pink or any blue)
  • For challenge: Match as close as possible to that specific color.
  • Hint: look inside flowers, at the base of leaves, and the backs of leaves!
Choose 2 pencils at random. Try to match those colors in nature.

3.) Choose a number between 1 and 9

Now look at the chart at the bottom of the page:

  • Search for as many things as you can that fit in this color group!
  • Look for all the shades- for example if you chose #9, pale pink to red to maroon!

My color was orange

Pollen balls on a bumblebee

Bird of Paradise flower emerging

Lichen on bark,

California Poppies

Rose leaves

Black-headed grosbeak: cinnamon orange breast.

4. Search for a Rainbow

  • See if you can find one of each color of the rainbow!
  • Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
  • How many colors can you find in ONE subject?
  • Can you find just the PRIMARY colors? Red, Yellow, Blue? (or Magenta, Yellow and Cyan)

5.) Primary or Secondary triad

If you can’t find the entire rainbow, what about the 3 primary colors: Red, Yellow, Blue? (or Magenta, Yellow and Cyan?)

How about the Secondary colors: Orange, Green and Purple?



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