Color matching clip cards give children a simple way to practice identifying colors while keeping their little hands busy! Children look closely at each picture, find the matching colors, and clip clothespins onto their answers.
This set includes 200 cards across five levels, making it easy to start with one color and gradually introduce pictures with several colors. Use them in Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten centers, morning tubs, small groups, or at home.
You can also try the activity with the free sample available below!
What’s Included in the Color Matching Clip Cards?
The cards feature familiar objects, animals, foods, and toys. Each picture has a row of color choices underneath, and children clip the colors they can see in the illustration.
There are 40 cards at each level:
- Level 1: Two color choices, with one color to identify.
- Level 2: Three color choices, with two colors to identify.
- Level 3: Four color choices, with three colors to identify.
- Level 4: Five color choices, with four colors to identify.
- Level 5: Six color choices, with five colors to identify.
Each card includes one color choice that does not appear in the picture. Children leave that choice unclipped.
With five levels available, you can choose a suitable starting point for each child and introduce more detailed pictures when they are ready.
Preparing Your Color Matching Clip Cards
Print the pages you want to use, laminate them for durability, and cut along the dotted lines. Add a small basket of clothespins, and the activity is ready!
Each card also has a hole-punching mark so you can organize small sets on binder rings. This keeps the cards together and makes it easy to offer a manageable selection.
Plain wooden clothespins, white clothespins, and colored clothespins all work well. The clothespins do not need to match the answers—the important part is clipping the correct color spaces on the card.
If you would like to add the self-checking feature explained below, mark the backs of the cards before laminating.
How to Use the Color Matching Clip Cards
Begin by modeling one card. Name the picture, talk about its colors, and show children how to squeeze a clothespin open and attach it to a color space.
Then invite children to:
- Look carefully at the picture.
- Identify the colors they see.
- Clip a clothespin onto each matching color.
- Check the picture again before moving to the next card.
Encourage children to name the colors as they work. Questions such as “Where can you see blue?” or “Which part is yellow?” help them connect each answer to a detail in the picture.
Beginning with One Color
The first level has one color to identify and two answer choices. Pictures such as the pink hat, yellow shorts, blue yarn, and orange button give children a clear starting point.
These cards use the instruction “Clip the color you see.” Children look at the picture and choose one matching color.
For example, the orange button card has orange and blue answer choices. Children clip orange and leave blue unclipped.
Offer a few cards at a time while children learn the routine. If using a clothespin is still tricky, let them point to the answer first, then help them attach the clip.
Moving on to Pictures with More Colors
The remaining levels invite children to “Clip the colors you see.” They need to look across the whole picture and identify more than one matching color.
For example, the pencil card includes blue and yellow. Children clip both colors and leave red unclipped. On the spaghetti card, they identify the yellow noodles, red sauce, and green plate.
The higher levels add more colors and choices. Pictures such as the stacked counters and toy train encourage children to slow down, notice smaller details, and check that they have found every matching color.
You can also ask children to explain an answer: “I clipped red because the wheels are red.” This adds a simple opportunity to practice descriptive language.
Self-Checking Color Matching Clip Cards
You can make the cards self-checking by placing an X on the back of the color space that should remain unclipped. Add the mark before laminating, or use a permanent marker afterward.
Once children have clipped their answers, they can turn the card over to check. The space marked with an X should have no clothespin attached, while the other answer spaces should have clips.
In the pink balloon example, children clip pink and leave black unclipped. The X on the reverse marks the unused black choice.
If a clothespin covers the X, encourage children to turn the card back over and look at the picture again. Ask them to find the color they clipped and decide whether it appears in the illustration.
Color Recognition and Fine Motor Practice
As children use the color matching clip cards, they practice several skills together:
- Color recognition: Identifying and naming colors in familiar pictures.
- Visual discrimination: Comparing the picture with the available choices.
- Fine motor control: Squeezing, placing, and releasing clothespins.
- Hand-eye coordination: Positioning a clip on a specific answer space.
- Oral language: Describing objects and explaining their choices.
The familiar routine makes these cards easy to revisit. You can change the pictures or level while keeping the directions consistent.
Easy Ways to Use the Cards
Place a small set in a morning tub, add them to a color center, or use a few during small-group instruction. At home, keep a ring of cards and some clothespins in a basket for a short matching activity.
Start with a handful of cards and rotate the pictures regularly. Children who are learning to identify colors can work with the first level, while those ready for a challenge can explore pictures with more colors.
For extra language practice, invite children to describe a completed card using a sentence such as “The pencil is blue and yellow.” You could also ask them to find something nearby that matches one of the colors.
Free Color Matching Clip Cards Download
Would you like to try the activity with your children? Download the free sample of color matching clip cards below!
Print the sample, laminate and cut out the cards, then add clothespins. Use them to introduce the matching routine, practice naming colors, or try the self-checking idea before preparing more cards.
Click the download button below to get your free sample.
Get the Complete Color Matching Clip Cards Set
For more pictures and a choice of difficulty levels, the complete resource includes 200 color matching clip cards across five levels.
Start with simple pictures featuring one color, then introduce cards with several colors as children become more confident. With 40 cards at each level, you can rotate your selection throughout the year.
Click the product image below to view the complete resource on TpT.
Happy Teaching! 😊
