A Colour Hunt: Noticing What Is Around Us
Presented by Mohan Chute · Duration
How can a simple colour hunt help a child notice familiar things in a new way?
Quick answer
Choose one colour, invite your child to notice something around you that has it, and look at that one discovery together. There is no race to find the most objects, and children can point, speak or draw.
In this episode
A gentle colour hunt that turns an ordinary room into a place to explore, with time to look closely at one discovery instead of racing to find many.
Who it is for: Parents, caregivers and teachers of young children.
Key takeaways
- One interesting discovery is worth more than a long list.
- Children can join by speaking, pointing or drawing.
- Asking "What made you notice that?" invites real curiosity.
- Familiar spaces still hold details we have never noticed.
Practical ideas to try
- Pick a comfortable spot where you can look around together.
- Choose one colour, then let your child choose the next one.
- Look closely at one object: is the colour light, dark or uneven?
- Swap colours for shapes or patterns if colour names feel tricky.
A real-life moment
On a rainy afternoon, a parent says, "Let's look for green." Their child points to a cushion, then notices that one corner is darker than the rest. Instead of moving on to find more green things, they stay with that small difference for a moment and talk about why it might look that way.
Adapting for different ages and needs
Younger children may enjoy matching a coloured block to things in the room. Older children can look for three shades of one colour or sketch what they find. Children who prefer not to talk can simply point, and children with visual needs can explore shapes or textures instead.
Keeping it playful
Avoid turning the hunt into a quiz with right answers. If your child loses interest, end with one thing you enjoyed looking at together and try again another day.
Frequently asked questions
What age is a colour hunt suitable for?
Toddlers can point to one colour with help, while older children can compare shades, patterns and textures. Adjust the challenge to your child.
What if my child does not know colour names yet?
Choose a shape or pattern instead, or hold up an object and look for things that match it. Pointing is a complete answer.
Can we play this outdoors or on a journey?
Yes. A window, a garden or a walk works well, as long as the space is safe and nobody needs to rush.
Episode transcript
Read the full transcript
Transcript based on the recording script.
Welcome to The Holistic Care Podcast. I'm Mohan. Today, let's try a colour hunt.
Find a comfortable place where you can look around together. Choose one colour. Perhaps green… blue… or yellow.
Ask your child, “Can you notice something with that colour?” Give them time. They might point to a cushion, a picture, or something outside the window. Look at it together.
Is the colour light or dark? Is it the same shade all over? A familiar object can have a detail we have never noticed before.
Now let your child choose the next colour. You can answer with words, by pointing, or by drawing what you found. If colour names are tricky, choose a shape or pattern instead.
There is no need to find the most objects. Stay with one interesting discovery for a moment. You might ask, “What made you notice that?” Then listen to their answer.
Finish by sharing one thing you enjoyed looking at together. A small colour hunt can turn an ordinary room into a place to explore. Thank you for listening to The Holistic Care Podcast.
Keep exploring
These are optional, general educational ideas, not clinical assessment or treatment. If you are concerned about a child, speak to a qualified professional. AI-assisted narration created with ElevenLabs.