Suggestions for Cloverbud Club Animal Activities
These are some of the suggestions for safe, non-competitive animal related activities to keep kids engaged and excited about future animal projects submitted in responses to the Cloverbud survey sent to volunteers in 2006. Remember the guidelines about safety and supervision discussed above as these activities are planned and carried out.
- Dog- “younger members enjoy outings, simple fund-raising and creating toys or treats for their dogs”
- Meeting working dogs-service, search and rescue, therapy and approved types of fundraising to support their work
- Dairy- visit a farm, learn how milking is done, make a food using dairy products
- Sheep- learn body parts and about fleece, play games
- Have younger children observe the older children and have them become comfortable with being around the animals. Watching the older kids to learn ‘what I can do when I get bigger”
- Pet show and tell at the fair
- Club could feature an animal each year – learn about taking care of the animal, do drawing and painting activities etc. around that type of animal – have a special display at the fair with all the related projects
- Kids with similar animals could make a group project like a calendar
- Dress up pets and do photography projects
- Make story books about their pets and how to care for them
- Make foods or projects from their animal products (eggs, milk, wool etc)
- Have a mini-show to practice showing skills
- Field trips to farms, veterinarian offices to learn about animal care
- Pair younger children with older teens or adults to help the child raise a small animal and then they pair up to show the animal without premiums
- Educational workshops for younger members
- “At the very minimum, being present at livestock activities is helpful – to observe what older members are doing, how they handle their animals, prepare for show, act in and out of the show ring will give them a feel for the event”
- Learn to identify poisonous plants, make first aid kits for outings and barns
- Posters, notebooks, scrapbooks,
- Parade of animals, shown a few at a time with one-on-one adult or older youth in control of the animal-everyone gets a ribbon
- Chance to be in the show ring with help to learn how to show
- Interactivity is key – things where they can learn, repeat back and share with others quickly solidifies their enthusiasm and learning
- Teach general things about the animals-children will find their special interest and will want to be specific from there
As 4-H Cloverbud volunteer leaders work with youth, they will develop many ways to incorporate animal activities into Cloverbud activity areas. Here are some suggestions.
Plants and Animals
- Identifying species, breeds, parts and tracks of animals
- Identifying plants that animals eat
- Recognizing differences between animals
Citizenship and Civic Education
- Welcoming visitors to shows at the fair, doing opening flag ceremonies at livestock shows
- Doing community service for an animal shelter or rescue group
- Developing rules for behavior around animals
Healthy Life Styles
- Playing active games pretending to be animals
- Exploring what animals eat, learn how good animal nutrition parallels good nutrition for them
- Identifying food products from animals
Personal Development
- Learning to make a family decisions about getting animals
- Recognizing ways that animals are alike and different (appreciating diversity)
- Learning about good character related to animal care and exhibiting
Science and Technology
- Selecting and identifying equipment
- Observing animal behavior
- Learning livestock terms
- Determining an animal’s age
Communications and Expressive Arts
- Make posters, story books, or models of animals
- Sing songs about animals
- Act out animal characteristics or animal care and showing activities
- Help create photo or video stories about animals
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Cook with products from farm animals
- Sew items that can be used by animals, i.e. blankets, halter bags,
- Create simple budgets for animal care
Environmental Education/Earth Sciences
- Learn the significance of locally raised foods
- Learn ways that animals benefit the farmers and the earth – manure, clearing brush and eating weeds, sustainable fibers
- Use recycled materials to make items for animals