Colourblocks - Many Mixes Make Brown (S1E23)

Brown takes the Colourblocks exploring in the forest. Learn different ways to mix brown with the Colourblocks.
| Runtime (min) | 5 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2023-01-30 |
| Genres | Kids, Animation |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | CBeebies |
Storyline
Brown leads the Colourblocks on an adventure through the forest, using the natural setting as a classroom for color mixing. As they explore, Brown demonstrates that there are multiple ways to create the color brown by combining different primary and secondary colors. The episode focuses on hands-on experimentation, showing various color combinations that all result in brown.
Throughout their forest journey, the Colourblocks discover that mixing red and green produces brown, as does combining orange and blue, and yellow and purple. Brown emphasizes that each method is equally valid, celebrating the diversity of approaches to achieving the same result. The forest environment provides visual examples of brown in nature, reinforcing the lesson while keeping young viewers engaged with the outdoor exploration theme.
What kids learn
Children learn fundamental color theory principles through this episode, specifically that brown is a tertiary color that can be created through multiple mixing strategies. By seeing three different complementary color pairs combine to make brown, young viewers develop flexibility in their understanding of color relationships and begin to grasp that there can be more than one correct path to the same outcome.
The episode reinforces problem-solving skills by demonstrating that when one approach works, others might work equally well. This concept extends beyond art into broader cognitive development, encouraging children to explore multiple solutions rather than assuming there is only one right answer. The hands-on, experimental approach models scientific thinking appropriate for preschoolers.
Additionally, the forest setting connects abstract color concepts to the natural world, helping children observe and appreciate brown tones in their environment. This real-world application makes the learning concrete and memorable, while the exploration theme encourages curiosity about nature.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What color combinations does this episode teach for making brown? | The episode demonstrates three different ways to mix brown: combining red and green, mixing orange and blue, and blending yellow and purple. Each method uses complementary colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. Brown shows that all three approaches are correct, helping children understand that multiple strategies can lead to the same result. This variety gives young artists flexibility when mixing paints or experimenting with colors. |
| Is the color theory too advanced for my preschooler? | The episode presents color mixing in a concrete, visual way that suits preschool learners. Rather than explaining abstract theory, Brown demonstrates each combination through action, allowing children to see the results directly. The five-minute runtime keeps concepts focused and digestible. The forest setting and character-driven presentation make the learning playful rather than academic, meeting children at their developmental level while introducing foundational art concepts they will build upon later. |
| Will this episode help my child with art projects? | Yes, the practical color-mixing knowledge directly applies to painting and other art activities. Children who understand that brown can be made multiple ways gain independence when working with limited paint colors. If they lack brown paint, they can create it themselves using the combinations shown. This problem-solving skill builds confidence and reduces frustration during creative play, making art time more enjoyable and self-directed. |
| What does the forest setting add to the lesson? | The forest provides real-world context for the color brown, showing tree trunks, soil, and natural elements that children recognize from their own experiences. This connection between abstract color mixing and tangible objects helps cement the learning. The outdoor exploration also models observation skills, encouraging children to notice colors in their environment. The adventure format keeps the educational content engaging while making brown feel relevant beyond the art table. |
| Does this episode build on previous Colourblocks lessons? | The episode assumes children understand primary colors (red, yellow, blue) and secondary colors (orange, green, purple), which are introduced in earlier episodes. Brown uses these established colors as building blocks for creating tertiary colors. If your child is new to the series, they may benefit from watching earlier episodes first to understand the foundational color relationships. However, the visual demonstrations are clear enough that the core lesson remains accessible. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | An excitable Red arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour red with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 2 | Cool Blue arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour blue with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 3 | Yellow is happy to bring his colour to Colourland. Learn about the colour yellow with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 4 | Red is surprised to discover that she's not the only colour in the world when she meets Blue. Join the Colourblocks to learn which objects can be red and which can be blue, and how some can be both red and blue. |
| 1 | 5 | Red and Blue meet Yellow and have fun colouring the seaside. Discover the colours around you with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 6 | Green arrives, bringing her natural colour to Colourland. Learn about the colour green. |
| 1 | 7 | Blue and Yellow meet a new friend - Green. Discover what happens when you mix blue and yellow with the Colourblocks |
| 1 | 8 | The Colourblocks meet a new animal - but what colour is it? Learn about a creature that can change colour with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 9 | The Colourblocks discover that it can be fun to colour things wrong. Learn about choosing colours. |
| 1 | 10 | Energetic Orange arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour orange. |
| 1 | 11 | Red and Yellow meet new arrival Orange. Discover what happens when you mix red and yellow with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 12 | Imaginative Purple arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour purple with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 13 | Red and Blue compete to colour a castle and meet new arrival Purple. Discover what happens when you mix red and blue with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 14 | The Colourblocks decorate Purple's garden and learn about patterns. Discover how to make your own patterns with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 15 | The Colourblocks attempt to solve a rainbow puzzle with the help of new friends Indigo and Violet. Learn about the seven colours of the rainbow with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 16 | Purple stages a version of Little Red Riding Hood, but can the other Colourblocks stick to the story? Learn about colour mixing with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 17 | The Colourblocks enjoy a dance, but which colours make the best partners? Learn about similar and complementary colours with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 18 | Black and White arrive in Colourland. Learn about two colours that are very different from the other Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 19 | Green is surprised when Black and White arrive in her forest. Learn about light and dark colours with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 20 | Green stages a magic show to introduce her new friends Black and White. Learn the difference between light, bright and dark colours with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 21 | Fun Pink arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour pink with the Colourblocks! |
| 1 | 22 | Colour explorer Brown arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour brown with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 23 | Brown takes the Colourblocks exploring in the forest. Learn different ways to mix brown with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 24 | Meet the Printing Crew - Yellow, Cyan, and Magenta. Learn how together they can mix lots of colours in the Printing Zone. |
| 1 | 25 | Black and White colour a city with new the help of new friend Grey. Learn to mix different shades of grey with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 26 | Black joins the Printing Crew. Learn how yellow, cyan, magenta and black work together in printing with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 27 | Red and Yellow sort different coloured objects onboard the Sorting Express. Learn to spot the difference between colours and shades with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 28 | Red and Blue choose colours for their playhouses. Learn about making colour choices with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 29 | The Colourblocks discover a series of colour wheels. But where should they sit on them? Learn which colours go next to each other with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 30 | All the Colourblocks come together for a big song. Learn different colours and colour mixes with the Colourblocks. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Welcome to Purple’s mixing factory, where he mixes two colours to create a new colour. In this musical episode, the Colourblocks learn that mixing red and yellow makes orange, whilst adding black and white helps to make darker and lighter colours. When the Printing Crew arrive, we learn how they work together to mix their colours and create new ones. |
| 2 | 2 | It's lunchtime in Colourland! Red invites her friends for lunch, where they try each other’s favourite foods. |
| 2 | 3 | Purple is the host of a fun game show called Name That Colour, with Pink and Brown playing along as contestants. |
| 2 | 4 | Sing along with Orange as she helps Indigo and Violet to colour a rainbow. |
| 2 | 5 | The Printing Crew come to the rescue and print signs for their friends Red, Blue and Green. |
| 2 | 6 | Blue meets Deep Blue and Sky Blue and learns all about their favourite things. They embark on an adventure in a submarine to the depths of the deep blue sea and take a trip up in a plane to discover all about sky blue items |
| 2 | 7 | Red and Yellow try to make a bright orange colour like their good friend Orange. |
| 2 | 8 | Purple wants to decorate his mural with different purples and invites Red and Blue to help him. |
| 2 | 9 | Meet Lime! She’s in between Yellow and Green, fresh and full of zing! In this musical episode, Lime sings her heart out with her beloved electric guitar, loving the limelight. |
| 2 | 10 | It’s the return of the Sorting Express, and Lime’s friends use it to help sort colours for her concert. |
| 2 | 11 | Red, Yellow and Blue colour in various doors leading to unexpected places. |
| 2 | 12 | Red is sad about being inside on a grey day but soon learns that being inside can be just as fun. |
| 2 | 13 | Red is on a colour tour with her friends, showing them the sights of where she did her very first colouring. |
| 2 | 14 | The Colourblocks travel through Colourland on an airship, picking up new and old friends along the way. In this inspiring musical episode, they reminisce about all of the amazing things they've learnt on their colour journey. |
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