- Definition
Complementary colours are pairs of colours that are opposite each other on a colour wheel, like red and green, and when put together, they make each other look brighter.
Placing a red apple on a green background makes the red look brighter because they are complementary colours.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Complementary colours are like players on opposite sports teams whose jerseys make each other look extra bright when they stand side-by-side.
Ask your child: What colour could you put next to this red to make it really pop?
Common mix-up: Kids often think 'complementary' just means colours that look nice together. They are actually specific pairs of opposites on the colour wheel that create the strongest contrast.
Examples
- A sports team using blue and orange for their logo to make it stand out.
- A yellow flower looks very bright against a deep violet background.
complementary colours is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
