Ages 5 – 8
Explore all workshops open to youth ages 5 – 8.
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.
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.
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.
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.