As I was inventing new color games, I thought about how much my kids love I Spy books. So I made I Spy Color Cards, a simpler version your toddler can play to learn their colors.
As I’ve been inventing new color games for toddlers, I thought of I Spy books. My child loves those I Spy books and he loves playing I Spy, too. I assumed my younger child probably would also love the concept of I Spy, so I decided to find a way to make it more his level. I came up with I Spy Color Cards.
You can support Teach My Toddlers by using the affiliate links from Amazon in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) which allows us to create helpful free content. Thank you, we appreciate it!
What you Need
There are 8 different cards with several colored pictures on each. Each card has objects that are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, and brown. You should print these with color ink and then laminate them for durability.
How to Play
To play, pick up one card and hold it in front of your toddler. Say “I spy something yellow (or any of the colors that are on the card). If your toddler doesn’t know his colors yet, start to describe other things about the object you are looking at. For example: “It is something that we eat. It has a peel that you have to take off before you eat it. We have some on our counter.” Continue until your child can point to the object that you were describing.
Make it Harder
If your child knows his colors really well, then change the game up a little. Instead describe the object without saying the color. For example: “It is shaped like a ball. It has a string attached to it. You can see the light shining on it.” When your child knows what it is, have him point to the object and say what it is using the color. For example: “blue balloon.”
It Takes Time to Learn
This color game for toddlers is still just a teeny bit hard. You may have to basically say what each object is before he can point to it. Still, your toddler is getting used to hearing the names of the colors and is getting used to objects being described by their color.
Find more activities like this one on our how to teach colors page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to teach colors?
Hands-on play works best. Mix color games, sorting, art, and everyday color words instead of drilling. Kids learn colors faster when it is fun.
Is it normal if my 2 year old doesn’t know colors yet?
Yes, completely. Many 2 year olds can match or point to colors but can’t name them yet. Reliable color naming usually doesn’t happen until age 3 or 4.
What age do toddlers learn their colors?
Most toddlers start learning colors between 18 months and 2 1/2, and have them down by age 3. Every child is different, so don’t worry if it takes a little longer.