Author: Bruce Zimmer, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Washington County

Ohio 4-H Project Bingo

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2025 Ohio 4-H Project Bingo Bingo is a fantastic learning tool for Cloverbud members because it makes word recognition, vocabulary building, and phrase comprehension engaging and interactive. Instead of traditional memorization, children actively listen for words, terms, or phrases and connect them to what is on their bingo cards. This helps reinforce spelling, pronunciation, and word association in a fun way. By repeatedly seeing and hearing the words, Cloverbuds develop stronger reading skills and improve their ability to recognize common sight words, new vocabulary, or subject-specific terms like science or math concepts.

The bingo used in this activity focuses on Ohio 4-H projects and helps to introduce Cloverbuds to the next phase of their 4-H membership. Learning about the wide variety of 4-H projects helps Cloverbuds discover new interests and make informed choices when the time comes to select projects. Knowing the range of projects available can help members stay engaged in 4-H by finding new challenges and opportunities each year.

Bingo Game Instructions ​

  • ​Print Your Bingo Cards & Caller’s Card​ – This lesson includes 30 different bingo cards. You can print all the cards or just what you need for your group. ​
  • ​Optional Sight Caller Cards​ – Depending upon the age of your Cloverbuds, they might need help reading and identifying the project Bingo words. This lesson includes an optional set of words you can print and cut apart for the game. This makes it easier to hold up the word in front of the group and help the Cloverbuds find and identify the word on their bingo card. ​

Materials Needed

  • Bingo cards. One card for each Cloverbud
  • Chips, coins, dried beans, or something to mark spaces (or use pencils to cross them off).​
  • Calling cards or optional sight caller cards. The leader will say a flight word from the calling card or draw a sight word from deck of words. Players will match and find the flight word on their bingo card.​

Game Tips

  • Talk about each of the 4-H project words and explain more about what might be involved with the project.​
  • Keep it simple and start with a bingo as across, down, diagonal, or cover all.​
  • Encourage cheering as Cloverbuds find the projects!

Source: This game of Ohio 4-H Project Bingo was created at myfreebingocards.com

Image from stock.adobe.com

A Sweet Way to Celebrate 4-H Youth and Their Success

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4-H volunteers are known for their creativity and dedication to encourage the growth of young people. As the 4-H year comes to a close, volunteers often look for unique and engaging ways to recognize the hard work and achievements of their members. One tasty and imaginative approach involves using popular candy bars and candies to celebrate member accomplishments. By associating specific candies with individual strengths, successes, and characteristics, these events create a fun and memorable recognition program that resonates with both youth and their families. This recognition program can be used with Cloverbuds and older 4-H members.

Here are some examples of how 4-H volunteers can compare youth achievements to different types of candy during a year-end recognition event. (Be sure to be aware of any food allergies or existing health conditions before presenting candy to club members.)

  • Milky Way Award: Shoot for the Stars
    This award is perfect for youth who have set ambitious goals and worked hard to achieve them. Just like the vastness of the Milky Way galaxy, these young achievers have reached for the stars, aiming high and hitting their mark in their 4-H achievements. These members have pushed their limits and soared to new heights.
  • PayDay Award: Hard Work Pays Off
    Recognizing youth who may not always be in the spotlight but work tirelessly behind the scenes, the PayDay Award symbolizes that their hard work has truly paid off. Just as PayDay candy bars are packed with peanuts—simple, but satisfying—these members have shown dedication, perseverance, and the understanding that effort yields rewards.
  • Starburst Award: Bright and Full of Energy
    This award goes to youth who light up the room and radiate positivity and enthusiasm in everything they do. Like the bright and bold flavors of Starburst candy, these members bring energy and joy to every event or activity. They are often the ones cheering on their peers, volunteering, or coming up with creative ideas to make the 4-H experience even better.
  • M&M Award: Team Player
    M&M stands for “Magnificent & Motivated,” and this award goes to members who are always willing to collaborate and support others. Just as M&M candies come in a variety of colors, these youth show diversity in their skills and work well with people of different backgrounds and interests and demonstrate the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
  • KitKat Award: Taking Breaks and Bouncing Back
    This award acknowledges youth who have faced challenges throughout the year but have learned the value of perseverance and taking time for self-care. Much like a KitKat bar encourages us to take a break, these youth have shown resilience. They may have stumbled along the way, but they always returned with renewed determination and a fresh perspective.
  • Hershey’s Hugs Award: Compassionate Leader
    This award is given to those youth who have gone above and beyond to show kindness, support, and encouragement to their fellow 4-H members. Just as Hershey’s Hugs are wrapped in sweetness, these members have embraced their peers with kindness, often stepping up as leaders who create a positive, welcoming environment for everyone.
  • Skittles Award: Bringing Color to the Group
    This award celebrates youth who bring creativity and individuality to the 4-H program. Just like the vibrant and diverse colors of Skittles, these young people have unique talents, ideas, and perspectives that make the group more dynamic and fun.
  • 3 Musketeers Award: Unwavering Support
    Named after the motto “all for one and one for all,” the 3 Musketeers Award is given to youth who have been reliable, dependable, and always willing to lend a hand. Like the classic candy bar, these members have a soft, supportive core and are there for their fellow 4-H members when they need help, encouragement, or a friend to lean on.

By using candy bars and candies to represent youth achievements, 4-H volunteers create a sweet, fun, and personalized way to recognize the efforts and successes of their members. These awards not only celebrate individual accomplishments but also highlight the qualities that make each member unique and valuable to their 4-H club. From teamwork to leadership, creativity to perseverance, these awards provide a lighthearted yet meaningful way to wrap up a year of growth, learning, and 4-H friendship.

Depending on the size of your club, maybe you want to group members together and present awards or you could have a special award for each member. What additional candies could you relate to your members? Hopefully these examples will get your tastebuds and creativity flowing!

 

The use of candy brands in this article is solely for the purpose of creative recognition and celebration of youth achievements. No affiliation with or endorsement by the manufacturers of these products is implied or intended.

Images from stock.adobe.com

Cloverbud Activities at the Fair

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Cloverbud members enjoy local county fairs and festivals just a much as our 4-H project members. Are you looking for some ideas to boost your Cloverbud activities?

Most fairs are open to 4-H Cloverbud members through a variety of exhibits. Children can exhibit work completed in their 4-H Cloverbud club and participate in noncompetitive activities.  All participation is noncompetitive and equal recognition is given to all participants. This does not mean that young children cannot be given advice or tips on how to improve their exhibit or work.

There are so many fun activities that can be geared toward our 5–8-year-olds. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Booth Exhibits
  • Show and Tell
  • Make & Take
  • Cloverbud Share Fair
  • Shoebox Floats
  • Cloverbud Revues
  • Stick Horse Exhibition
  • Veggie Car Event
  • Barn/Building Tours
  • Cloverbud Graduation
  • Puppet Shows
  • Reading Adventure Activities
  • Scavenger Hunts
  • Game Day
  • Speaking or Pledge Events
  • STEM Activities

This quick video provides a sampling of some 4-H Cloverbud events offered around Ohio: https://youtu.be/ISMgdYuSrK4  We hope you find a new activity for your Cloverbud members!

Cloverbud CloverBOT Challenge – Get Your Team Registered

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What is the Cloverbot Challenge?

The Ohio 4-H Cloverbot Challenge gives 4-H Cloverbuds the opportunity to work cooperatively in teams to problem-solve using STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) skills. A new theme is selected each year and teams  research a topic, build a working model of their solution to the Challenge issue and create a poster to illustrate their findings. Teams present their models and findings to a team of reviewers, learn about other Cloverbuds’ projects, participate in age-appropriate STEM activities and are recognized at a closing celebration.

This year’s theme is Wonderful Water! We use water everyday: to drink, cook, take a bath, wash dishes and laundry. Water also provides energy and transportation, aids in manufacturing and helps grow our food. Water is critical to our survival! Find the details here.

New this year…three locations. Find the Challenge closest to you!

  • June 23 at 6:30 p.m., Montgomery County Extension Office in Dayton
  • June 23 at 6:30 p.m., Washington County Junior Fair Building, Marietta
  • June 25 at 10:30 a.m., Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus
  • June 28 at 6:30 pm Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds

Cloverbud Volunteers can register teams by Friday, May 27, 2022 at: https://go.osu.edu/2022cloverbotchallenge

Just Like the Big Kids – Using “My 4-H Cloverbud Year”

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Cloverbud members want to be “just like the big kids” and have a 4-H book to complete.  Have you considered using My 4-H Cloverbud Year with your members?

This fun book is a great way for Cloverbuds to learn the basics of 4-H and keep track of their activities and events. Completion of this book is optional and can be done with or without the help of an adult leader. It can be repeated each year a child is a Cloverbud.  It is especially appropriate for older Cloverbud members as they prepare to transition to project membership.

The length of your Cloverbud meetings or activity time might determine how best to use this resource. Here are two options:

  1. If you have plenty of time (approximately an hour) for your Cloverbud meeting, then you could have the members complete the sections after each group activity. It will probably take at least 15 minutes to help the members complete the two pages titled “Today at 4-H Cloverbuds”. Younger members will need help answering the questions about what they did, their favorite part of the activity, what they learned and what they want to learn more about. There is also a box to draw or add a picture about the day’s activity.
  2. Here is a second option if you are limited on time with your Cloverbuds. Plan one or two of your meetings around completing the beginning of the book where they will learn about themselves, all about 4-H, their club, meeting manners, the American Flag and the 4-H Flag. After these sections are finished, the book could be sent home with your Cloverbud members. Ask parents to help their child complete the “Today at 4-H Cloverbuds” section after each meeting or club activity. This will help reinforce learning and recall of information as well as begin practicing the life skill of recordkeeping.

My 4-H Cloverbud Year is for Cloverbud members who can write about themselves and their experiences, with or without the support of an adult helper. If your Cloverbuds struggle with writing, you can help them by providing prepared answers to paste into their books. On the Today at 4-H Cloverbuds pages, for example, “What we did” could be answered with a short typed, or printed response: We practiced reduce, reuse, and recycle.

The end of the book provides a spot for community service activities, county fair activities, and a place to add memories like photos, ribbons, or clippings.

Copies of My Cloverbud Year can be purchased from your local OSU Extension or from https://extensionpubs.osu.edu

Ohio 4-H Cloverbot Challenge

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The 2021 Cloverbot Challenge will help Cloverbuds imagine how could they live on a newly established colony on the planet Mars. They will explore what a colony might that look like, where to live and how they could move from place to place.

The 4-H Cloverbot Challenge is a statewide event designed just for our youngest 4-H’ers. Teams will work together to research a topic, build a model out of interlocking bricks and create a poster highlighting their experience. Teams will present and share virtually via Zoom either Monday, July 12 or Thursday, July 22.

Cloverbud teams will learn about the planet Mars and potential modes of transportation. Teams will also learn more about the challenge by answering these questions:

  • What are similarities and differences between Earth and Mars?
  • What might your colony look like on Mars?
  • What kinds of transportation do you use on Earth?
  • How would transportation you use on Mars be different or similar to what we use on Earth?
  • What jobs are associated with space travel?
  • How might you stay safe when using transportation on Mars?
  • How does the environment on Mars impact transportation?

Teams may have a minimum of two members, but no more than eight, and are coached by an adult team leader. Details and registration information can be found at https://ohio4h.org/families/cloverbuds/cloverbot-challenge

Questions? Contact Christy Millhouse at millhouse.10@osu.edu or Rhonda Williams at williams.418@osu.edu. And a special thanks to the Ohio 4-H Foundation for their ongoing support of the Cloverbot Challenge.

Flyer: 2021 Cloverbot Challenge

Nature Color Match Lesson

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This is a great activity that can be done anytime throughout the year and can be combined with a nature hike or other outdoor activities.

MATERIALS & LOCATION NEEDED:

  • Paint color chips/swatches (available free at paint or hardware stores) or your can print a color wheel
  • Depending upon the season, but greens, yellows and browns are a great place to start
  • It is best to do this activity outside on a nature walk or even in a backyard

WHAT TO DO:

  1. Before going on a nature hike, talk about all the colors in nature to help children prepare for the activity.
  2. Give each child a paint swatch and talk about all the various shade of each color. For example, green. In nature there are lots of green items, but different shades.
  3. Give each child at least one paint swatch as you head out for a nature walk and ask them to find three natural items that match the colors on their swatch. (Caution them to not touch or pick any plants or flowers.
  4. After several minutes of exploring, gather the children together and ask them to share their discoveries.
  5. Then ask:
    • Was it hard to find the exact color matches?
    • Did you find more than one kind of thing that was exactly the same color?
    • Were you surprised by how many different shade of green, yellow and brown you found?

APPLICATION:

Ask:

  • Look around your home and school – how many of nature’s colors can you find? Look at clothing, books, and even paint on the walls.

BOOKS TO READ:

  • Tell me, Tree by Gail Gibbons
  • Over in the Meadow by Olive A. Wadsworth
  • Nature’s Hidden World  by Ingrid Selberg
  • The Listening Walk by Paul Showers

This printable activity and others can be found at: https://u.osu.edu/cloverbudconnections/click-it/

Source: This Big Book of 4-H Cloverbud Activities at Home works well with Chapter 19 in The Big Book of 4-H Cloverbud Activities available through OSU Extension offices or online at extensionpubs.osu.edu. Ohio residents get the best price when they order and pick up their purchases through local Extension offices.