4-H Agriculture

Construction Toys

Kami Fulkerson
November 8, 2020

No Manual, but handout available.

State Fair Entries:

A county may submit the Grand Champion of this project for state fair entry.

** Fair Entry – You MUST register your 4-H project in Fair Entry if you plan to exhibit at the 4-H Fair. See page 21! **

Exhibit Introduction

The Construction Toys project offers 4-H members an opportunity to create a three-dimensional model structure using components from one or more toy kits, including Legos, K’Nex, Erector, Mega Blocks, Lincoln Logs (which must be securely fastened together), Hexabits, Construx, Duplo, or Tinker Toys.

General Requirements:

Dream big, but the project, including the base, must be equal to or less than the following dimensions: 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 24 inches tall.
Have your project “tell a story”. You might even write a story about it…so you will be ready to share it with the judge.
You might first make a drawing, or, for example, a clay model and re-do it several times.
Document your process with photographs and notes, and consider assembling them in a three-ring binder to share with the judge. (If this is your second or more year with construction toys, include your documentation of previous projects, earliest first.)
Construct on a solid base. All projects must be exhibited on a sturdy base, which may be decorated one dimensionally using paints, paper, and markers, felt or multi-dimensionally with Lego pieces or with which your project is constructed. Please have your project securely fixed to the base, as it must be transportable. Glue on pieces that might come off easily. Water based glue will allow you to easily disassemble the glued parts afterwards.
Construct your model to be viewed from several angels, from above, sides, even from below. For example, the base could be Plexiglass with a hole in the middle!
Test the durability of your model by placing the base vertical, or even hanging by a cable. 9. If you are concerned about theft of special pieces, a clear plastic solid lid or model case not larger than 24" x 24" x 24" (not plastic wrap) may be used after judging for display during the fair. A clear light weight drop cloth may be placed on the exhibit after judging. 11. Members should strive to create a more advanced project each year.
BEGINNER (GRADES 3, 4, 5)
10. A completed record sheet and a 4-H Craft Information Card must be submitted with the project at fair judging.
8. Figures or embellishments not a part of the kit or building medium of your project are not allowed (i.e. rocks, artificial plants or animals, etc.).

Toy Kits are allowed. Construct a single item, such as an animal, a person, a building or a statue.
Components may be glued together, but isn’t mandatory.
Exhibitors should construct a more advanced project each year.
Fill out both the Construction Toys Record Sheet and the 4-H Craft Information Card.
INTERMEDIATE (GRADES 6, 7, 8)

Work on your creativity. Design your own Structure. Assembly of a toy kit is NOT allowed, but you may modify a kit as part of your exhibit.
Construct a structure, a scene, or some form of transportation (car, plane, etc.)
Block Components may be glued together, but isn’t mandatory.
Exhibitors should construct a more advanced project each year.
Fill out both the Construction Toys Record Sheet and the 4-H Craft Information Card.
ADVANCED (GRADES 9, 10, 11, 12)

Work on your creativity. Design your own model. Assembly of a toy kit is NOT allowed, but you may modify a kit as part of your exhibit.
Recommend trying moveable or motorized part(s).
Construct a tractor on a farm, a space shuttle with lunar module, windmill and house, etc.
Block Components may be glued together, but isn’t mandatory
Exhibitors should construct a more advanced project each year.
Fill out both the Construction Toys Record Sheet and the 4-H Craft Information Card.

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