Primary and Secondary Colors

Kindergarten · Art · Study Guide

Learn about the three primary colors and what happens when you mix them together.

Colors are everywhere! Some colors are called primary colors. The three primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. We call them primary because you cannot make them by mixing other colors together. They are special starting colors.

When you mix two primary colors together, you get a new color called a secondary color. There are three secondary colors. If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. If you mix blue and yellow, you get green. If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

Think of a rainbow! It has many beautiful colors. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple are all in a rainbow. Artists use primary and secondary colors to make beautiful paintings and drawings.

You can try mixing colors yourself with paint or playdough. Start with two primary colors and see what new color you can make. It is so much fun to discover new colors!

Key terms

primary colors

The three colors (red, blue, yellow) that cannot be made by mixing other colors

secondary colors

Colors made by mixing two primary colors together (orange, green, purple)

mixing

Combining two or more colors together to make a new color

orange

A secondary color made by mixing red and yellow

green

A secondary color made by mixing blue and yellow

purple

A secondary color made by mixing red and blue

Flashcards

Red

A primary color — you cannot make it by mixing other colors

Blue

A primary color — you cannot make it by mixing other colors

Yellow

A primary color — you cannot make it by mixing other colors

Orange

A secondary color made by mixing red + yellow

Green

A secondary color made by mixing blue + yellow

Purple

A secondary color made by mixing red + blue

Primary colors

Red, blue, and yellow — the three starting colors in art

Secondary colors

Orange, green, and purple — colors made by mixing two primary colors

Questions

1. Which of these is a primary color?

   1. Orange
   2. Green
   3. Red
   4. Purple
   Show answer

   Answer: Red

   Red is one of the three primary colors. The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.

2. Orange is a primary color.

   Show answer

   Answer: False

   Orange is a secondary color. It is made by mixing the primary colors red and yellow.

3. What color do you get when you mix red and yellow?

   1. Green
   2. Purple
   3. Orange
   4. Blue
   Show answer

   Answer: Orange

   When you mix red and yellow together, you get orange.

4. Mixing blue and yellow makes the color ___.

   Show answer

   Answer: green

   Mixing blue and yellow together makes green, which is a secondary color.

5. Red, blue, and yellow are the three primary colors.

   Show answer

   Answer: True

   Red, blue, and yellow are the three primary colors. They cannot be made by mixing other colors.

Get a personalized course on Primary and Secondary Colors built around your child.