Coloring Activities for Learning Mathematics

Color by number and paint by number are both easy to create coloring activities. Any coloring page can be used. Label all sections of the picture with numbers. Set each number equal to a color. Depending on the type of math you want to teach, set math problems equal to colors. For instance, to teach multiplication, set the color red equal to 5 X 2. Students must determine that 5 X 2 equals 10 before coloring the picture. For even more advanced color by number, use order of operations problems. For instance, set 2+6*2-6/3 equal to blue. Kids must solve the problem using order of operations to color in the blue slots.

Connect the dots is great for teaching shapes. After connecting the dots, have kids identify various shapes within the picture. Connect the dots is also a perfect activity to learn counting. Label each dot with a number. You can also set dots equal to math problems. In order to connect the dots in the correct order, students must solve each math problem for the dot’s number. Once the dots are connected, students can then color in specific shapes. For instance, ask students to color all triangles green and all circles blue. Connect the dot shape puzzles can be created from scratch or printed from numerous online and offline math activity books.

If you do not want to look for connect the dot shape puzzles, use any coloring page and trace the page using dots. Use the same principles as above to have students trace the image. Students can then color the page however they like.

A perfect way for students to learn shapes is through coloring. Associate a series of shapes with colors. Ask students to color in the shapes to reveal a hidden image. Use coloring pages made from geometric shapes. After coloring each individual shape, the shapes will blend together to create a single picture.

Another math coloring activity for learning shapes is having students draw and color their own pictures using a specified number of each shape. For instance, ask students to create a picture with four circles, three squares, five triangles and six rectangles. Ask them to color each image with a set color so you can easily check their work.

Help kids to learn math through portion coloring activities. Divide circles and other shapes into portions. Ask kids to color the fractional equivalent. For instance, ask students to color 6/7 of a circle. If the blank circle has seven sections, the student would color in six of the sections. This can also be used to help students learn how to reduce and calculate fractions. For example, ask the students to color in the portion of five pizzas three brothers ate for dinner. This will require them to add up each brother’s portion to calculate the total amount ate. The fractions can be as simple or as difficult as needed.

Did you try out these activities in your classroom? I'd love to hear how it worked out! Or let me know what activities you use that work for you.