Sailboat Color by Number

Put out blue, white or yellow, red and brown crayons before you start, since the legend tells you which colors you need. A child can finish the sheet in one sitting of roughly half an hour, or color the sky and water first and return for the boat. The answer key shows the finished sailboat, handy when a child wants to check a doubtful square. Teachers can print 5 versions and give neighbors different grids so nobody copies a neighbor's colors.

Numbers mode builds number recognition and careful, patient coloring. Children have to scan the grid for one number at a time, which is early visual discrimination. A common slip is coloring a 6 as a 9 when a page is turned sideways. Pairing the sailboat with the other Modes later lets the same picture carry addition, subtraction or multiplication facts as the child grows. Reading the legend slowly before coloring saves erasing later.

For a five year old, stay with Numbers and let them color one color at a time. If your child likes boats and already knows plus facts, try the Addition mode on this same sailboat. Pick Multiplication for third graders working on times tables. A New version gives a different set of numbers behind the same boat.

Is the sailboat grid big enough for crayons?

Yes. The squares are sized for crayons and markers, so a child can color inside the lines without a fine tip. Thin pencils also work for older kids who want a neat finish.

What if a child colors a square the wrong color?

Check the number against the legend and lightly mark the correct color over it, or leave it. The picture still reads fine with a few mistakes. The answer key shows the right color for every square.

Can I make the sailboat sheet harder?

Change Mode to Multiplication, Subtraction or Addition. Each square then shows a problem and the child has to work out the answer before choosing a color. The boat itself stays the same.