Mini 4-H (Grades K-2)
Mini 4-H is a program designed to encourage positive development of children, Kindergarten through second grade (though not all counties are able to offer this to all grades). The goal of Mini 4-H is to help young children explore friendships outside the family; explore the way in which things work; practice both small and large muscle control; and think about the ways people work together on projects.
The NON-COMPETITIVE learning environment for Mini 4-H includes:
- Planned learning activities in which children are invited to be active and explore materials and ideas without the pressure of completing a specific product or exhibit.
- Low adult/leader to child ratio that allows time for adults/leaders to provide individual, positive encouragement and assistance.
- Simple, interesting activities that are fun.
- Encouragement of children to participate in a group activity by sharing and or displaying their activity projects.
- Rewards that are identical and/or ribbons of the same color for everyone.
Click here to enroll in Mini 4-H.
Project Resources
Bugs
Almost anywhere you look you can find bugs. In this project activity guide explore some of the things that make bugs similar to each other as well as some of the differences between bugs. Find out how bugs hide in plain sight and discover what happens to bugs in winter.
Resources
Collections
Why do people collect things? In this project activity guide find out the kinds of things people collect, explore some special kinds of collections, and discover how to start a collection of your own.
Resources
Crafts
Let’s be creative and make a neat craft. Use your imagination as you design your craft. Crafts can be used
for decorations and they make great gifts too. Exhibit of the following: spatter painting, drawing, craft kits,
handmade paper, decoupage, hand print, sculpting with modeling dough, sponge fun, gift bag, design your own craft, and more.
Resources
cupcakes
Learn a new skill by using different techniques to decorate cupcakes!
Resources
dinosaurs
They may no longer walk the earth, but they are still very popular. Learn about fossils, different kinds of dinosaurs, where dinosaurs lived, and how they may have become extinct. Exhibit ONE of the following: a fossil cast, a dinosaur scrapbook, a dinosaur model, a poster showing how big dinosaurs were.
Resources
Foods
Everyone can have fun in the kitchen. Learn about measuring, nutrition, making easy recipes and kitchen
safety. Exhibit ONE of the following: popcorn snack, nobake cookies, kitchen safety poster, food MyPlate poster,marshmallow treats or a poster showing how to properly measure, or 4-H cooking kit.
Resources
Forestry
There are many different kinds of trees and all of them do important jobs. In this project activity manual discover the many different jobs that trees do, the ways that trees help people, and how you can be a good neighbor to a tree.
Resources
gardening
Plant seeds or small plants in a garden or pot, inside or outside, and watch them grow into vegetables or flowers. Learn how plants grow. Exhibit ONE of the following: a plate of three vegetables, a plant in a pot, a vegetable scrapbook, or a Chia Pet.
Resources
me & my pet
Would you like to share with others about the animals that live in your home? Learn the responsibilities of caring for different pets. Exhibit: A scrapbook or poster about your special pet! Be creative!
Resources
plants & flowers
Learn about the parts of a plant, how to care for, and then exhibit your plants or flowers!
Resources
photography
Space
There is a lot to learn about and to explore in space. In this project activity guide learn about stars, constellations, and what it is like to explore space. Find out about training to be an astronaut and, if you dare, fly your own shuttle.
Resources
Trees
Trees have been around a long time and grow in all kinds of places. In this project activity guide find out the way to tell the age of a tree, discover the special way trees get food and water, and explore the many ways leaves are special.
Resources
wildlife
Do you ever wonder about the animals that live in the woods and open areas around your home? Learn about the not-so-wild wildlife that live around you. Exhibit Birds of Indiana poster or mobile, a bird feeder, bird watching chart poster, animal characteristics poster, or a collection of insects!