4-H Fun
Explore all workshops in the 4-H Fun learning track below! These workshops involve having fun with your 4-H community members.
4-H Summer Learning 2025 Kickoff
- Monday, July 7 at 4:00 pm or Thursday July 10 at 10:00 am
- Open to all youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 30 attendees
Welcome to the exciting kickoff session of our 4-H Summer Learning 2025! This first gathering is all about setting the stage for a fun, engaging, and successful summer of learning together-virtually. Whether you’re new to Zoom or a seasoned pro, we’ll help you become a confident 4-H Summer Learning participant.
We will get to know each other: Meet fellow 4-H members you’ll see throughout the summer. Share a bit about yourself and discover fun facts about others.
We will use interactive breakout rooms: Join small groups to answer fun icebreaker questions and connect more personally.
Join us to kick off your 4-H Summer Learning adventure with energy, new friends, and skills that will make this summer unforgettable! Register by June 30.
Adulting 101: Adulting in a Digital World
- Wednesdays, July 9, 16, 23, & 30
- 4:00 – 5:30 pm
- Open to Maine youth ages 12 and up
- Maximum 15 attendees
Adulting is quite the adventure… let’s pack a bag of useful items so you’re ready to hit the road! Each week we will cover a different topic and do an activity to help you think about and plan for life as an adult. How will you handle money? What career do you want and what type of education do you need? What are your values and how might they affect the decisions you make? And finally, we’ll make an adulting kit with supplies you might need when you move away from home. Join us for our 4th summer of Adulting 101.
*Access to a computer or tablet is required for participants, a smartphone won’t be sufficient. Thanks to a generous donor, we can provide tablets for participants who need one. Upon registration, guardians will receive an email with more information. Register by June 27.
Aquaculture Engineers
- July 7, 9, and 11
- 10:00 – 11:15 am
- Open to all youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 10 screens (for families with multiple youth who will be attending, please only sign up one youth for this session, and when the confirmation email is sent out, let us know any additional participants)
Join us to become an AQUA-ENGINEER! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll use recycled materials to design and build your own aquatic farming systems for oysters, fish, and even seaweed. Along the way, you’ll explore the science of aquaculture, discover how engineers solve real-world challenges, and learn how sustainable seafood is grown. Perfect for budding scientists, tinkerers, and problem-solvers ages 9 and up—get ready to dive into the world of aquaculture innovation! Register by June 23.
Babysitter Blueprint: The Ultimate Babysitter Playbook
- Tuesdays, July 8, 15, & 22
- 3:30 – 4:30 pm
- Open to all youth ages 12 and up
- Maximum 10 attendees
Build your skills. Boost your confidence. Be the best sitter on the block! Are you ready to become a confident and capable babysitter? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to know to keep kids safe, engaged, and happy while you’re in charge. We’ll cover:
- Ages & Stages: Understand how kids grow and what to expect at different ages.
- Emergency Readiness: Learn where to receive CPR and first aid training and what to do in urgent situations.
- Fun & Games: Discover creative activities to keep little ones entertained.
Sitter Success Tips: Get insider advice on handling tricky situations, setting fair rates, and impressing parents.
Whether you’re brand new to babysitting or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to be the go-to sitter in your neighborhood! Register by June 24.
Barnyard Explorers
- Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, & August 5
- 11:00 am – Noon
- Open to all youth ages 5 – 8
- Maximum 12 attendees
Get ready for a moo-velous adventure! Barnyard Explorers is a fun and interactive virtual workshop designed especially for curious kids ages 5 to 8. We’ll take a playful peek into life on the farm—meeting barnyard animals, exploring their homes, and discovering what makes each one unique. Through storytelling, songs, and hands-on crafts using simple materials sent to you, children will connect with the barnyard in a creative and memorable way. Your little explorer will be engaged, entertained, and educated—all from the comfort of your own home!
Perfect for budding animal lovers and young nature enthusiasts. Come join the fun—no boots required! Register by June 24.
Dissect and Detect: Nature’s Mysteries Revealed
- Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, & 31
- 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
- Open to all Maine youth ages 9 & up
- Maximum 15 attendees
Get ready to dive into the hidden world of nature! In this hands-on virtual workshop for ages 9 and up, you’ll explore the amazing structures and secrets of life by dissecting owl pellets, squid, and flowers — all from your own home. We’ll send you everything you need, including supplies for fun crafts that connect art and science. Along the way, you’ll use real scientific tools, make observations like a biologist, ask creative questions like an engineer, and share discoveries like an artist. Join us for an exciting STEAM adventure where you’ll dissect, detect, and uncover the mysteries of how living things are built! Register by June 30.
DIY Tranquility Toolkit: Create Your Own Zen
- Wednesday, August 6
- 10:00 – 10:45 am
- Open to all youth ages 9 – 11
- Maximum 15 attendees
Join us for a fun and creative workshop where kids will learn how to make their own spa and relaxation kit! In this hands-on session, kids will craft homemade bath salts with soothing scents, design a mini zen garden for relaxation, and create a special “Happy List” to remind them of the little things that bring them joy. Along the way, we’ll explore simple self-care tips and ways to spread kindness to others. This workshop is about relaxation, creativity, and feeling good inside and out! Register by July 23.
High Water, High Hopes: Building Flood Resilient Communities
- Wednesdays July 16, 23, & 30
- 10:30 am – Noon
- Open to all Maine youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 15 attendees
Storms are getting stronger, seas are rising, and floods are becoming more common. But what does that actually mean for your town, your school, or your favorite places to hang out? That’s what you’ll investigate in this series with our partners from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute!
In these workshops, you’ll team up with scientists and educators to explore how climate-related flooding could affect communities across Maine—and more importantly, what we can do about it.
As part of the team, you will:
- Map it out: Identify places in your community that matter to you and could be at risk of flooding.
- Be a community scientist: Work alongside real scientists to track flood impacts and help improve flood predictions.
- Explore solutions: Explore creative strategies that help communities become more resilient to flooding.
This workshop is open to ages 9+, but youth on the younger end of this range may benefit from extra adult support at home during the sessions. Register by June 30.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
- Tuesday, July 15, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, or Thursday, July 17, 10:00 – 11:00 am, or 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Open to all youth
- Maximum 15 attendees
This activity will discuss the basics of what plants and bugs need to grow and reproduce. We’ll be growing a “friend” and starting a bug collection with lessons from the Junior Master Gardener curriculum. Register by July 2.
In Stitches: Working with Thread
- Mondays, July 7, 14, 21, and Friday, July 25
- 1:00 – 2:30 pm
- Open to Maine youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 12 attendees
Get ready to get In Stitches! This fun and hands-on virtual workshop series is perfect for youth ages 9 and up who want to explore the colorful world of thread arts. Over four exciting Zoom sessions, we’ll dive into hand-sewing, cross-stitching, embroidery, and friendship bracelet making—no experience needed! All materials will be sent to you ahead of time, so all you need to bring is your creativity and a sense of adventure. Whether you’re stitching your first masterpiece or adding flair to your craft skills, you’ll be amazed at what you can make with just a needle, some thread, and your imagination! Register by June 25.
Solve the Mystery of Plastic Pollution
- Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, & August 5
- 10:00 – 11:00 am
- Open to all youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 15 attendees
Hey, future Plastic Detective! Did you know plastic is everywhere—your toys, your lunchbox, even your clothes? But where does it come from? And what happens to it when we’re done with it? Join us for an exciting series of 5 workshops where YOU get to uncover the secrets of plastic pollution. We will do hands-on experiments with different types of plastics, go on a hunt for microplastics and learn how we can each make a difference with small changes. Get ready to explore, experiment, and become a champion for cleaner oceans and a healthier planet. Register by June 27.
Sourdough Squad: From Starter to Snack
- Mondays, July 14 & 21
- 10:00 – 11:00 am
- Open to Enrolled Maine 4-H youth ages 6 – 18
- Maximum 10 attendees
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and join the Sourdough Squad! In just two fun-filled sessions, you’ll explore the tasty world of sourdough baking—from bubbly starters to golden loaves and crunchy snacks.
Session 1: Say hello to your new kitchen sidekick—your sourdough starter! Learn how to mix it, feed it, and keep it alive (yep, it’s alive!). We’ll also dig into the fascinating history of sourdough and why it’s been loved for centuries.
🧡 Between sessions: Your starter will need a little love each day! Plan to check in with it daily—just like feeding a pet—to keep it active and ready for baking.
Session 2: Time to bake! You’ll shape and bake your own loaf of sourdough bread and then use your extra starter (called “discard”) to make a delicious snack like crackers or granola bars.
For ages 6–18 who can follow instructions and enjoy hands-on kitchen fun. You’ll leave with skills to keep baking at home—and maybe even impress your family with your sourdough know-how! Register by July 2.
The Symbols of Maine: A 4-H Watercolor Adventure
- July 28, 29, & 30
- 12:00 – 1:15 pm
- Open to Maine youth ages 9 and up
- Maximum 10 attendees
The great state of Maine holds so much beauty! From our mountains to the sea, nature in Maine calls to artists from all over the world. Spend some time this summer practicing your watercolor skills and embracing the call to create Maine-inspired artwork. Learn to paint some recognizable symbols – a chickadee, white pinecone, wild blueberries, and honeybee – in this relaxing workshop. Register by July 4.
Ukrainian Eggs
- Saturday, July 12
- 1:00 – 3:00 pm
- Open to all youth ages 12 & up
- Maximum 10 attendees
Learn the basics of this ancient craft and open yourself up to the magic of Ukrainian Eggs (Pysanky). Created to give as gifts not only at Easter time but all year round for different occasions. This skill includes use of real eggs, beeswax, a live candle flame, and a writing tool called a Kitska. The workshop will include creating one traditional egg, and discussing what options exist for creative expression within that traditional framework. People who attend will be mailed a kit and two blank eggshells to prepare for the workshop. The kit includes beeswax, a kitska, and dye which will need to be prepared before the workshop – it needs to cool before being used at least 24 hours. You do not need to be an experienced artist in order to learn this craft. It does require a live flame, time, and some patience. Join us this summer and spread the peace and joy of Pysanky. It will be Eggcellent! Register by June 26.
UMaine Virtual Touch Tank
- Wednesday, August 6
- 10:00 – 11:00 am
- Open to youth of all ages
- Maximum 12 attendees
Dive into the wonders of marine life—right from your home! In this interactive virtual workshop, participants will get an up-close look at fascinating sea creatures like sea stars, hermit crabs, urchins, and more, all from a live touch tank. Guided by a marine educator, you’ll explore how these animals live, what they eat, and how they interact with their environment. With live video, fun facts, and Q&A sessions, it’s the perfect blend of science and discovery for curious minds of all ages. Register by July 25.
Under the Sea Storybooks
- Tuesdays, July 22, 29, & August 5
- 10:00 – 10:50 am
- Open to Maine youth ages 5 – 8
- Maximum 6 attendees
Dolphin dive into the immersive world of storytelling and learn about majestic marine creatures! In this three session series, youth will learn about super sensational sea creatures to later become the (sea) star character of their own short storybook creation!
Some materials will be provided and mailed to participants. Some items will need to be gathered from your house. Register by June 23.
Weather Detectives
- July 30, 31, & August 1
- 1:30 – 2:30 pm
- Open to all youth ages 5 – 8
- Maximum 10 screens (siblings can share, please only register one youth from each household, and let us know when you receive your confirmation for the workshop how many will be participating)
Let’s explore the weather together in this three-part workshop! We’ll become weather reporters, investigate weather vs. climate, and discover rain, snow, and hail through hands-on experiments. Put on your detective hats and get ready to explore the wild world of weather! Register by July 18.