Colour is important in children's play because it stimulates the child's imagination across all areas of learning within the EYFS. It is a topic that's accessible to all ages of children and is easily related to daily life and activities. Recognising colours aids creative and social development. It's also important in relation to children's safety - for example, recognising warning signs in red, or the black and yellow of stinging insects.
COLOUR MIXING GLASSES
LEARNING RESOURCES
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £5.95
CONTACT: 0845 241 0484, www.learningresources.co.uk
Child-size glasses with easy-to-change lenses; two each of red, yellow, blue and distortion (to see like an insect). Includes colour-mixing guide.
Tested by Ann Ross, childminder, Dartford, Kent
'We would definitely consider buying this product. The children really enjoyed the experience, and it would be good to have several pairs to work in small groups so they could share the experience. It really enhances the children's learning experience because they are able to see it happen right in front of their own eyes. We started by looking at the lenses individually and then we took turns to wear the glasses and put the different colour lenses in to mix primary and secondary colours. The product is very well made and robust and seems safe.
'There are three children attending the setting who have special needs. All three of them were very interested in the glasses. One child with an autistic spectrum disorder who is pre-verbal became very animated when using the glasses and experiencing the changes in colour. Another child said "Wow" when she looked through them.'
Star Rating: ****
FIRST EXPLORERS - COLOUR CHANGING DUCKS 
REFLECTIONS ON LEARNING
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £9.99
CONTACT: 01732 225850, www.reflectionsonlearning.co.uk
Six colour changing ducks in a cotton storage bag with an ideas sheet.
Tested by Dulverton Children's Centre, Somerset
'When we first saw the ducks we thought they would be a fun, educational product. They are bright and eye-catching and we presumed they would change colour with touch. However, the children quickly became disappointed because the ducks only changed colour in very hot water. We used the product in the water tray and as soon as they changed colour, we took them out of the water and handed them to the children to watch change back to their original colour. Unfortunately, lukewarm water wasn't sufficient. The water had to be too hot to handle in order to change colour. All the ducks turned white in the hot water.
'We would not consider buying this product because hot water is not suitable for use with young children. We also think the ducks should be physically bigger for the younger children to see the change in the colour.'
Star Rating: **
COLOUR CATCHERS
TTS GROUP
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £35.99
CONTACT: 0800 318686, www.tts-group.co.uk
A pack of four wooden, rectangular viewers that children can peer through to see the world in different shades. Size approx 25 x 50cm.
Tested by Sure Start children's centre, Blyth Central, Northumberland
'The frames are very sturdy and well made, with hooks already attached so they can be hung up or hand-held. The product was introduced during circle time on a light, sunny day so the colours were easily visible. The screens were held up in front of the window and the eldest children named the colours. They were then handed out to the children for them to look through and describe what they could see. They held them up to their faces and peered at each other and there were lots of discussions around who was to look next. The girls had a preference for the red screen, as it made everything look pink, which is their favourite colour. I think the product is a good resource to have and the children have enjoyed using the screens and looking through them at each other. It assists with their creative development by allowing them to overlap the screens and to explore what happens when they mix colours together. This also allows them to describe and talk about what they see, showing curiosity about how things work and why things happen. It can also be used to match colours both indoors and out, using small world resources.'
Star Rating: ****
DINOSAUR COLOUR WHEEL
THE CONSORTIUM
AGE: 4+
PRICE: £3.99
CONTACT: www.earlyyears.co.uk, 08451 999955
A hands-on learning tool that teaches children about colour combinations. 230mm diameter.
Tested by the Daisychain Nursery, Kirkcaldy, Fife
'This product is an affordable and valuable addition to the craft table. We usu a lly have a book about colour mixing on the craft table but this product is easier to maintain and wipe-clean. It's a useful tool as it broadened their knowledge and helped them understand how colour-mixing works. It has an integral wheel that they can turn so that when they add white to green they know what shade they will get. After introduction and guidance the children used it independently in the craft area. It's easy to use and child-friendly. It's great value for money because it's long-lasting. If anything, I wish it was a little bigger.'
Star Rating: ****
RAINBOW SORTING CRAYONS
HOPE EDUCATIONAL
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £44.95
CONTACT: www.hope-education.co.uk, 08451 202224
The set consists of eight hollow jumbo crayon-shaped sorting boxes. Each box is a different colour and contains a variety of smaller items matching the colour of the particular crayon.
Tested by Bewbush Children's and Family Centre, West Sussex
'This product
is ideal for a nursery because several children can play with one of the eight crayons, and there are a variety of items inside each one. The adults discussed each object and described its uses with the children. They then role-played with the items, following the children's direction. The quality of the item is good and there are so many possible uses for it that it would meet a large number of needs within the nursery. It's good value for money. With a total of 56 pieces, each of good quality and each completely different to the rest, the product keeps the children's interest. On top of this, the product can be used with a range of children from different backgrounds and ages.
'There is only one piece that we have a concern with. This is the yellow lemon, which is small enough to be swallowed and looks quite a bit like a yellow sweet.'
Star Rating: *****
BEROL COLOUR MIXING SET
NES ARNOLD
AGE: 3+
PRICE: £14.25
CONTACT: www.nesarnold.co.uk, 0845 1204525
Contains ten 500ml bottles in cerise and vermilion (reds), cyan and ultramarine (blues), lemon yellow and brilliant yellow, black and three bottles of white.
Tested by Caroline Bennett, childminder, Basingstoke
'I would consider purchasing this set. It encourages colour exploration, although there was a tendency to use too much paint, as the colour mixing elements were tricky for some to ascertain. The colours washed off the skin without any problem, and, apart from the white paint which was separating a little, all were of a good consistency.
'The children were eager to get started with the set after its arrival. They had discussions about the methods of creating the mixed colours. The younger children had fun experimenting with the colour creations available.
'The bottles are a good size and easy to store. The lids have a tight fit with valves in and the bottles are sturdy and stable. The colour washed out of the children's hands easily, unlike so many other washable paints. I do feel this is value for money, even though there were no instructions included.'
Star Rating: ****
All prices exclusive of VAT and post/packaging
BEST BUY
For Caroline Bennett, childminder, Basingstoke 
'Pipettes and petri dishes are fantastic aids for colour mixing activities. We put the three primary colours of food colouring on the table and children use the pipettes to suck up the food colouring and drop it into a petri dish full of water (you could also use small plastic tumblers). The children then are invited to work through with me some semi-structured experiments before completing their own investigations freely. We invariably end up with varying shades of brown, but the knowledge and understanding, fine motor control, peripheral concept awareness, such as volume and concentration, are exceptional. A pack of 20 plastic pipettes, priced at £0.99, and a pack of 20 plastic dishes with lids, priced at £2.70, can be bought from www.tts-group.co.uk.'
