Try a color you wouldn't normally use - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Try a color you wouldn't normally use

Create a small painting using a color you wouldn't normally pick. Experiment with mixing, contrast, and note how the unexpected color changes your artwork.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to try a color you wouldn't normally use

What you need

Paper or small canvas, paints including a color you don't usually pick, paintbrushes, palette or paper plate, cup of water, paper towel, pencil, scrap paper, optional crayons or markers for details

Step 1

Pick the paint color you usually avoid and set it aside.

Step 2

Spread a paper towel on the table to protect your work area.

Step 3

Put your paper or canvas on the paper towel.

Step 4

Squirt a small puddle of your unusual color onto the palette or plate.

Step 5

Dip your brush lightly into the cup of water.

Step 6

Wipe extra water off the brush on the paper towel.

Step 7

Paint a tiny test swatch of the unusual color on the scrap paper.

Step 8

Lightly sketch a simple subject on your paper with the pencil.

Step 9

Mix a little of the unusual color with a second color on the palette to make a new shade.

Step 10

Paint the main shapes of your picture using the unusual color and any mixes you made.

Step 11

Add a few contrasting details with a different color so the unusual color pops.

Step 12

Write one short sentence on the scrap paper about how the unexpected color changed your artwork.

Step 13

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

If I don’t have a palette, canvas, or a proper paintbrush, what household items can I use instead?

Use a disposable paper or plastic plate or an empty yogurt lid as the palette, cereal-box cardboard or printer paper instead of canvas, and a kitchen sponge corner, cotton swab, or foam brush as a substitute brush while still squirting a small puddle and mixing colors on the plate.

My unusual color looks too watery or muddy when I paint—how can I fix this during the activity?

After dipping lightly into the cup of water, wipe extra water off the brush on the paper towel and paint a tiny test swatch on the scrap paper to adjust water amount or add small bits of the second color on the palette to deepen the shade without over-mixing.

How can I adapt the steps for different ages so the activity is safe and engaging?

For preschoolers, pre-sketch simple subjects and give a large brush and helper for wiping extra water and squirting puddles, while older kids can do finer pencil sketches, experiment mixing on the palette, paint detailed contrasting areas, write the reflective sentence themselves, and share on DIY.org.

What are some ways to extend or personalize the project after painting the main shapes with the unusual color?

Turn it into a mini-series by making three variations mixing the unusual color with different second colors on the palette, add texture with a crumpled paper towel or sponge for contrasting details, give each piece a short sentence on the scrap paper, and then post the collection on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to try a color you wouldn't normally use

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How To Paint With Watercolor (for kids)

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Facts about color mixing and painting for kids

🎨 Artists often pick an unexpected color to create a surprise element that makes a painting feel more alive.

🌈 The color wheel idea goes back to Sir Isaac Newton, who first connected colors to a wheel in 1704.

🧪 In paint mixing, a tiny amount of a strong pigment can shift a whole color — a little goes a long way.

👀 Placing complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel) next to each other makes both look brighter and more vibrant.

🧠 Colors affect mood: unusual color choices can spark curiosity and make viewers look twice at your artwork.

How do I guide my child to create a painting using a color they wouldn't normally pick?

Begin by asking your child to choose a color they rarely use. Set up paints, paper, brushes, and a palette. Encourage them to limit their palette to that color plus one or two neutrals. Show simple mixing techniques to change tint and tone. Prompt them to experiment with contrast, layering, and brushstrokes. Ask open-ended questions about how the unexpected color makes the artwork feel and invite them to try small changes until they feel satisfied.

What materials do I need to try this unexpected-color painting activity at home?

You’ll need washable paints (tempera, watercolors, or acrylics), sturdy paper or a small canvas, brushes of different sizes, a palette or plate for mixing, a water cup, paper towels, and a protective smock or table covering. Optional extras: crayons or colored pencils for underdrawing, a palette knife for texture, and a small mirror for examining color contrast. Choose child-safe, non-toxic supplies and keep wet wipes handy for quick cleanups.

What ages is this unexpected-color painting activity suitable for?

This activity works for preschoolers through teens with age-appropriate support. Ages 3–5 need simple guidance, washable paints, and close supervision. Ages 6–8 can mix colors and explore contrasts with some prompts. Ages 9–12 enjoy deeper experimentation with tints, tones, and composition. Teens can use it for more deliberate color study or expressive work. Adapt complexity and safety measures to each child’s motor skills and attention span.

What are the benefits of asking a child to use a color they wouldn't normally choose?

Using an unexpected color boosts creativity, flexibility, and problem-solving by pushing children out of familiar choices. It teaches basic color theory—how mixing and contrast change mood—and builds observation skills as they notice new relationships between hues. This challenge also encourages resilience when results surprise them, and it can increase confidence as they learn to value novel outcomes. It’s a low-pressure way to expand artistic vocabulary and self-expression.

Ready to create?