Let’s make DIY Fall-colored paint by adding just one simple thing to any kids’ paint you have on hand. This unbelievably easy “trick” will bring a whole new cozy autumnal vibe to your preschool art projects.
DIY Fall-colored paint: An autumn twist for kids’ art
Today we’re transforming your kid’s bright, summery paints into a warm, autumn-inspired palette.
And the good news is that you don’t need anything fancy, expensive, or hard to find.
While this technically is an art invitation for kids, let me tell you how much the adults love these paint colors, too. (A LOT!)
Create an Autumn wonderland with DIY Fall-colored paint
Making your own Fall paint is the ultimate Fall process art project for kids, and you can use any kids’ paint you have.
I look forward to making this cozy paint every Fall and I bet you will do it again and again, too!
We are big ol’ Fall fans over here and love trying out tons of Fall activities:
- Painting and Washing Pumpkins
- 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Dough
- Apple Sensory Bin with Dyed Garbanzo Beans
- Roll & Drop Fall Counting Game
Materials
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- Kids’ paint in many colors
- Brown kids’ paint
- Bowls
- Paintbrushes
- Paper
Directions
- Add colorful kids’ paint to bowls.
- Add a dab of brown into each bowl of colorful paint (start with a little as you can always add more).
- Mix the colors and watch them transform from bright hues into Fall hues.
- Once they have their custom Fall color palette, encourage them to create their autumn masterpieces.
Fun Fall color names for your DIY Fall paint palette
One of the most exciting parts of creating your own fall paint colors is coming up with creative names!
Here’s a list of fun, autumn-inspired names for each color of the rainbow after you add that touch of brown:
- Red: “Cranberry Spice”
- Orange: “Pumpkin Patch”
- Yellow: “Golden Harvest”
- Green: “Forest Moss”
- Blue: “Autumn Sky”
- Purple: “Plum Pie”
- Pink: “Rosewood Sunset”
Exploring color theory: Hue, tint, and shade
While you’re mixing up your fall paint colors, it’s a perfect opportunity to introduce kids to some basic color theory.
Understanding these simple terms can make the creative process even more engaging for your little ones (and you might learn something new too!):
- Hue: This is the pure color straight from the paint bottle—think red, yellow, or blue. When you add brown to a hue, you’re changing its overall appearance, creating those cozy fall color palette vibes.
- Tint: A tint is made when you add white to a hue, which makes the color lighter. You can create some soft, pastel-like fall shades by adding white to your autumn colors. Think “Frosted Pumpkin” or “Morning Mist Yellow.”
- Shade: A shade is created by adding black to a hue, making the color darker. You can experiment by adding a tiny bit of black to your new fall paints for deeper, richer colors, like “Midnight Plum” or “Deep Forest Green.”
The magic of DIY Fall-colored paint
There’s something special about a fall color palette that captures the spirit of the season.
Whether it’s mixing those rich pumpkin oranges or cool autumn sky blues, this is an easy and adorable preschool activity that we love doing year after year.
Not only do you get beautiful, homemade paint colors, but it’s also an excellent way for kids to engage in preschool process art—a total win-win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any kid-safe, non-toxic paint works perfectly.
Start with a small amount and gradually add more to adjust the shade.
Don’t worry! You can always mix in more of the original color to balance it out.
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