The Shyest Color rainbow Coloring Pages for Ages 3-5

Coloring page story

Inky was the Indigo stripe in the rainbow. Sandwiched between bold Blue and vibrant Violet, he often felt pale and shy. He worried he wasn't bright enough. It was time for the After-the-Rain-Show! Red was ready, a brave, bright ribbon. Orange was fizzing with excitement. But when it was Indigo's turn, Inky hid behind a fluffy white cloud. "I can't," he whispered. "No one will even notice me." The rainbow began to form, but there was a strange, thin gap. Blue looked down. "Inky? Where are you?" he called. Violet looked up. "We need you, Inky!" she chimed. Without him, Blue didn't seem as deep and Violet didn't seem as magical. The rainbow looked… incomplete. Down on the ground, a little girl pointed. "Mommy, what's that empty spot?" Inky heard her and felt his color fade even more with embarrassment. Then, Red called down in his big, warm voice, "Inky, you are the color of twilight, when the world gets quiet and cozy!" Green added, "You're the color of deep, deep water where little fish sleep!" Violet sang, "And you hold my hand and Blue's hand! You connect us!" Inky peeked out. They were right. He wasn't just a pale stripe; he was the color of quiet magic. Taking a deep breath, he flowed into his place. The rainbow was suddenly whole and more beautiful than ever. Inky glowed with a soft, proud light, realizing that even the quietest colors are needed to make a masterpiece.

Coloring page Age Appropriateness

The personification of the rainbow colors makes the concept of a rainbow tangible and relatable for 3-5 year olds. The large, simple bands and friendly faces are not visually overwhelming and encourage coloring within defined, easy-to-see spaces, which builds fine motor control.

Coloring Page Coloring Instructions

Wow, look at all the happy rainbow friends! Can you see Inky, the Indigo color? He is so proud to be part of the team. Let's give each friend their special color! The top stripe is Red, then Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, a special dark blue for Inky (Indigo), and Purple at the bottom. You can make the clouds white and fluffy, or maybe even a light blue!

Coloring Page Printing Tips

Print this page in 'portrait' orientation to give the rainbow its full, beautiful arch. Using a matte photo paper can make colors appear extra bright and prevent markers from bleeding, helping your little one create a perfect rainbow.

Recommended Tools

Colored pencils are great for this page, as they allow for more precision when coloring the faces on each stripe. For younger children, twistable crayons are a fantastic, no-mess option. Talk about each color as your child uses it. 'That's a beautiful red! Red is the color of strawberries and fire trucks. What color is next in our rainbow?'