Learn at Home with 4-H Friday Fun! Videos
Each Friday in the spring of 2020, a new hands-on activity was presented which could be performed, at home, with simple materials that are readily available.
Watch a short video clip to see how it’s done or download our 4-H Learn from Home activity sheets. Each activity outlines materials needed, easy to follow instructions, reflection questions for discussion, and activity extensions.
- June 26: Seed Germination (YouTube and Instructions)
- June 19: Rain in a Jar (YouTube) and Instructions
- June 12: Spreading Rainbows (YouTube) and Instructions
- June 5: Dancing Popcorn (YouTube) and Instructions
- May 29: Balloon Kebab (YouTube) and Instructions
- May 22: Ice Cream in a Bag (YouTube) and Instructions
- May 15: Origami Paper Cranes (YouTube) and Instructions
- May 8: Diaper Powder (YouTube) and Instructions
- May 1: Marshmallow Launcher (YouTube) and Instructions
- April 24: Drops on a Penny (YouTube) and Instructions
- April 17: Is There Seaweed in Your Cupboard? (YouTube) and Instructions
- April 10: Newspaper Tower (YouTube) and Instructions
- April 3: Exploding Baggies (YouTube) and Instructions
- March 26: DIY Birdfeeders (YouTube) and Instructions
- March 20: Tinfoil Boat Activity (YouTube) and Instructions
June 26: Seed Germination
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Seed Germination (PDF)
June 19: Rain in a Jar
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Rain in a Jar (PDF)
June 12: Spreading Rainbows
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Spreading Rainbows (PDF)
June 5: Dancing Popcorn
Join Kristy Ouellette, Extension Professor, 4-H Youth Development (Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties), and her kids, as she conducts a simple chemistry experiment using only a large see-through jar, baking soda, vinegar, water, and popcorn kernels.
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Dancing Popcorn (PDF)
May 29: Balloon Kebab
Join Mitch Mason, Extension Educator, Cumberland County, as he performs a science experiment based on polymers. He will attempt to poke a skewer through an inflated balloon without popping it.
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Balloon Kebab (PDF)
May 22: Ice Cream in a Bag (YouTube)
In this video, join Sadee Mehuren, 4-H Youth Development Professional (Waldo County), as she makes homemade ice cream. The purpose of this activity is to:
- demonstrate how substances change between different states of matter and
- to introduce the concept of melting point. Produced by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H.
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Ice Cream in a Bag (PDF)
May 15: Origami Paper Cranes (YouTube)
In this video, join Erin McDonald, 4-H Youth Development Professional (York County), as she shows how to make a traditional paper crane using Japanese origami. She will also discuss origami’s history and how it is used in contemporary processes.
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Origami Paper Cranes (PDF)
Second Page of Activity Sheet PDF: Orizuru, Traditional Japanese Model (Diagram by Andrew Hunson) (PDF), CC Public Diagram Project website
May 8: Diaper Powder (YouTube)
Join Mitch Mason, Extension Educator, Cumberland County, as he explores the science behind a common object found in most households: the diaper, polymers, and what makes diapers so absorbent.
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Diaper Powder (PDF)
May 1: Marshmallow Launcher (YouTube)
In this video, join Sarah Sparks, 4-H Science Youth Development Professional, as she builds a marshmallow launcher using craft sticks, tape, spoons, straw/skewer, chenille stems, safety glasses, measuring tape and a marshmallow. Then, test your launcher to see how far the marshmallow goes.
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
Learn at Home: Marshmallow Launcher (PDF)
April 24: Drops on a Penny (YouTube)
Sara King, Extension Professional, Oxford County, explores surface tension with the Drops on a Penny activity. Be sure to tag us at #Maine4HFriday with a picture and tell us how many drops fit on your penny!
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
April 17: Is There Seaweed in Your Cupboard? (YouTube)
Join Sarah Sparks, Extension Professional, as she leads you through a seaweed scavenger hunt in your house. Be sure to tag us at #Maine4HFriday with pictures of the items you find!
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
April 10, 2020: Newspaper Tower (YouTube)
Use the engineering design process to build a tower out of newspaper. Jen Lobley, Extension Educator, Washington County, will show you what to do. Be sure to tag us at #Maine4HFriday with pictures of the tower you create!
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
April 3, 2020: Exploding Baggies (YouTube)
4-H Friday Fun is a series of at-home activities for parents and kids. In this video, Tara Marble, 4-H Youth Development Professional, Franklin County, and her two children demonstrate how a simple chemical reaction can make baggies explode! Produced by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
March 26, 2020: DIY Birdfeeders (YouTube)
Join Zabet NeuCollins, Community Extension Assistant (Hancock County), as she makes a do-it-yourself bird feeder from items that can be found around the house: an orange, yarn, knitting needles and more.
Material List and Instructions to Download and Print:
March 20, 2020:Tinfoil Boat Activity (YouTube)
Join Kristy Ouellette, Extension Educator, and her boys as they build their own boats to see how many coins they can hold before they sink.