These rainbow coloring pages give you 6 free printable rainbow coloring sheets, from a simple rainbow with clouds for preschoolers to a patterned rainbow for older kids. One page is a color by number that teaches the order of the rainbow colors. Each page is a free PDF in US Letter and A4 size, drawn with thick, clear lines that are easy to color. All the rainbow coloring pages print on one sheet of paper each.
What is on each of the rainbow coloring pages
| Page | What to color | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow with clouds and sunshine | A classic rainbow, puffy clouds, a big sun, birds and flowers. | Ages 3 to 6 |
| Rainbow color by number | Numbers 1 to 7 with a color key, to learn the rainbow order. | Ages 4 to 8 |
| Rainbow over the hills | A rainbow behind rolling hills, a house, a tree and flowers. | Ages 4 to 8 |
| Happy clouds rainbow | Two smiling clouds, hearts, stars and a kind message. | Ages 3 to 7 |
| Rainbow hot air balloon | A striped balloon to color in rainbow order, floating past clouds. | Ages 5 to 9 |
| Patterned rainbow | Seven bands of zigzags, dots and waves for older kids. | Ages 7 and up |
Rainbow colors in order (ROY G BIV)
A rainbow always shows its colors in the same order, from the outside of the arc to the inside: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Many children remember it with the name ROY G BIV, one letter for each color. The color by number page uses this order, so number 1 (red) is the outside band and number 7 (violet) is the inside band.
| Number | Color | Letter in ROY G BIV |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red | R |
| 2 | Orange | O |
| 3 | Yellow | Y |
| 4 | Green | G |
| 5 | Blue | B |
| 6 | Indigo (dark blue-purple) | I |
| 7 | Violet (purple) | V |
How does a rainbow form?
A rainbow appears when sunlight shines on raindrops. As the light goes into each drop it bends, bounces off the back of the drop and comes out again, and the bending spreads the white sunlight into its colors. That is why you see rainbows when the Sun is out during or just after rain, and why the Sun is always behind you when you look at one. NOAA’s SciJinks rainbow page explains it with pictures for kids.
Coloring tips for the rainbow coloring pages
- Crayons and colored pencils work best on ordinary printer paper. Markers can soak through, so slide a spare sheet underneath.
- Indigo is tricky. If your box has no indigo, mix a dark blue with a little purple, or use navy.
- Start from the outside. Coloring the red band first and working inward helps children remember the order.
- For the patterned rainbow, try one color per band and a lighter shade for the shapes inside it.
Hang the finished rainbow coloring pages in a window: they make a bright display on a grey day.
More free printables
- Weather worksheets and types of clouds worksheets for the science behind the rain and the clouds.
- Seasons worksheets, including spring, the season of rain showers.
- Color by number maker for more number coloring.
Frequently asked questions
7 quick answers
Are these rainbow coloring pages free?
Yes. Click Letter or A4 under any picture to open the PDF, then print it or save it. No sign-up is needed, and you can print as many copies as your class needs.
What are the 7 colors of the rainbow in order?
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, from the outside of the arc to the inside. The name ROY G BIV helps children remember the order.
Which page is best for toddlers and preschoolers?
The rainbow with clouds and sunshine and the happy clouds rainbow have big, simple spaces. The patterned rainbow has small shapes and suits children aged 7 and up.
Will the pages print on A4 paper?
Yes. Every picture has its own A4 PDF as well as a US Letter PDF, so nothing is cut off at the edges.
How many colors are in a rainbow?
Seven colors are usually named: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. In real life a rainbow is a smooth band of light with no sharp edges between colors, and the list of seven goes back to Isaac Newton.
How does the rainbow color by number page work?
Each band has a number from 1 to 7 and a color key. Number 1 is red on the outside band and number 7 is violet on the inside, following ROY G BIV, so children learn the rainbow order as they color. It suits ages 4 to 8.
What should kids use on a rainbow coloring sheet?
On ordinary printer paper, crayons and colored pencils give the best results. If using markers, put a spare sheet underneath in case they bleed through. If the box has no indigo, mix dark blue with a little purple or use navy.
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