🌈 Teaching Warm and Cool Colours to Primary Students (With a Cute Painting Page!)

One of the most magical things about teaching art in the primary classroom is watching students discover how colors feel. Teaching warm and cool colours is a perfect way to tap into their emotions, creativity, and natural curiosity about the world.

🎨 What Are Warm and Cool Colours?

We can think of colours like personalities—they each have their own vibe!

• Warm colours (like red, orange, and yellow) remind us of sunshine, fire, and summer fun. They’re energetic, bold, and attention-grabbing.

• Cool colours (like blue, green, and purple) make us think of water, snow, and a calm breeze. They’re soothing, quiet, and peaceful.

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Explaining this to young learners can be as simple as asking:💬 “Does this colour make you feel warm and cozy, or cool and calm?”

💡 How to Introduce the Concept in Class (Teaching warm and cool colours)

Start with a quick colour sort activity:

1. Show colour cards or classroom objects in various hues.

2. Ask students to decide if each item feels warm or cool.

3. Create a two-column chart with real examples to make it stick.

Then, take it up a notch with a little painting fun!

🎨 Painting Fun: “Hot Dog and Cool Cat” Colouring Page

To reinforce the concept (and keep things adorable), I’ve created a printable painting page featuring:

• 🌭 A hot dog (perfect for using warm colours)

• 😎 A cool cat (just right for cool colours)

This is a no-prep activity designed to:

• Practice colour identification

• Encourage creativity

• Reinforce the warm vs. cool concept in a fun, memorable way

🖌️ Students can paint or colour each character using only warm or cool shades. Bonus points for adding their own background details!

✂️ Classroom Tips for Success:

• Use crayons, watercolours, or dot markers for variety.

• Display finished pieces on a class colour wall.

• Have students explain their choices: “Why did you use red for the hot dog’s sunglasses?”

🛒 Grab the “Hot Dog and Cool Cat” Painting Page

This cute printable is available now in my shop!Click below to purchase and download it instantly—perfect for a mini art lesson, center activity, or Friday fun!

👉 Buy the Painting Page Here

Warm and cool colours are the perfect way to blend art with emotional learning and creativity. Plus, what kid doesn’t love a cool cat and a hot dog with attitude?

Let me know how your students enjoyed this lesson—and don’t forget to tag @TheStructuredStone if you share their masterpieces on Instagram!