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Anoka County 4-H Project Kits 4-H Project Kits contain fun, hands-on learning activities to use with 4-H’ers at club meetings,

afterschool sites, club camps, or other settings.

Activities are based on the Experiential Learning Model, and many activities have been developed using 4-H curriculum materials.

Project Kits contain most of the supplies needed for the activity and directions to facilitate the activity. You are responsible for providing any supplies not included.

Project Kits are available to be checked out from the Anoka County 4-H Office.

HOW TO CHECK OUT A PROJECT KIT

1. Kits are housed in the Anoka County Extension Office. Stop in during business hours 8 am-4:30 pm to

look through the kits or make arrangements for us to leave a kit for you after hours.

2. Inquiry Based Science, Healthy Living and Stepping Out Kits are located in an alternate location and need

to be reserved two business days prior by contacting 4-H Staff at 763-324-3495 or mnext-

anoka@umn.edu.

3. If there is a particular kit you are looking for, you can contact the office ahead of time to make sure that

it is not already checked out before you stop in.

4. Before taking the kit, be sure to double check contents to ensure all essential supplies are there and be

sure that you are able to provide what is NOT there.

5. Please do not take more than three kits at a time unless you have approved it with 4-H Staff.

RETURNING THE KIT

1. Return within two weeks if possible. 2. Please tidy up the box and put back on the shelf or return to the front

counter.

3. Please be sure to inform the office if there are any missing materials in

the kit (such as supplies we say we provide) handouts, or if a project

kit is in poor shape.

*Clubs are welcome to develop kits to add to our project learning library! If

you are interested in donating a kit, revamping or adding an activity to an

existing kit, please contact 4-H staff.

Anna Gilbertson, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Anoka County annag@umn.edu Updated 12/11/19

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ANOKA COUNTY 4-H PROJECT KITS

New! Adventures in Agritourism Youth will be able to understand the agritourism industry

through playing their way through several scenarios.

Science of Agriculture, Citizenship

Adventures of a Plastic Bottle Youth will learn about the life cycle of plastic and the

differences between the many different types.

Conservation, Natural Resources

Amazing Eyes Explore the power of your own vision by finding your

blind spot and creating a flipbook.

Health

New! Animal Tracks: Tracks and Scat Kit Learn about animals by examining their tracks and scat

with this kit from Nature Watch. These can be used in

many ways including print making, matching animals and

scat, and more! Each animal set has a front and hind

track replica along with replica scat.

Exploring Animals, Wildlife

New! Art Explorers Learn about the artwork from various artists and make

something inspired by them! We have the following kits

Georgia O’Keefe

Yayoi Kusama

Alexander Calder

Jackson Pollock

Henry Matisse

Print Making

Fine Arts, Creative Arts

Spinning a Web Expand knowledge of insects and arachnids by comparing

the two. Learn about the different types of webs and

create your own to see if you can catch any “prey.”

Entomology

Beef Cattle: More than Meat Learn about how Beef cattle are animals that serve a

purpose for more than just meat that we like to eat.

Youth will be able to first learn all about the jobs

involved with beef cattle, what sports equipment we

get from the hide of a beef cow, and the ways we use

beef cattle for products other than meat.

The Science of Agriculture, Citizenship

New! Birding Discover the amazing birds that live in Minnesota and

learn about their fascinating features. Kit contains 10

binoculars.

Natural Resources, Exploring Animals

Bubbles, Bubbles, & More Bubbles Understand carbonation through a basic chemistry with

some raisins, spaghetti and carbonated soda. Use your

scientific skills as you play and explore the world of

bubbles.

4-H Science

Buzzy Honeybees Learn all about the Honeybees, pollination, bee language, and even taste test various kinds of honey. Entomology, Science of Agriculture

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Caught in the Web Game Try to make it safely back to your habitat without getting caught in the web of a spider in this board game. Entomology

Citizenship Discover what it means to be a citizen of many places while creating a flip book to celebrate you. Citizenship, Creative Arts

Corn Plastic Learn about recyclable plastics with this fun activity from

the Acres of Adventure Curriculum.

Science of Agriculture

New! Dendrology 101 Have you ever wanted to be an arborist? Now is your

chance to learn how to identify the trees in your

backyard and learn how unique each tree really is!

Forestry, Exploring the Environment

Discovering Butterflies Learn the life cycle of butterflies by playing the butterfly

matching game and building a butterfly life cycle mobile.

Entomology

Drone Discovery Discover the types of drones, how they work, and why

they are important.

4-H Science, Aerospace

Drop in the Bucket Students will estimate the percent of available fresh

water on Earth. Youth with learn about this limited

resource and how to conserve it.

Water/Wetlands, Conservation

Eating Nails for Breakfast Learn about the essential nutrient Iron, and how it gets

into your diet.

4-H Science, Foods and Nutrition

New! Earth-o-poly Learn about ways to take care of the Earth in this

monopoly style game.

Natural Resources, Conservation

Environmental Awareness Youth will become more aware of how they can have an

impact on the environment and determine what they can

do to reduce their impact on the environment.

Natural Resources

Experiencing Entomology Discover the world through a bug’s eye view. Learn

about insects eyes, mouths, and tastes.

Entomology

Film Canister Rockets What happens when you put film canisters, water and

Alka-Seltzer together? This hands-on activity teaches

science with a blast!

Aerospace, 4-H Science

Fish, Fish, Fish Make your own fish prints with life-sized stamps of fish.

Also included is information on a variety of fish that are

native to Minnesota.

Fishing Sports, Creative Arts

Food Detectives Students learn about food safety procedures and predict

who could become ill from eating contaminated food in a

group of picnickers.

Foods and Nutrition

From Moo to You Learn about dairy through a variety of activities. One

activity includes a fun relay game where you determine

how milk starts at the cow and ends up in your

refrigerator.

Dairy

Fun on the Farm This project kit is packed with activities that highlight

agriculture and life on the farm. A few activities include

Truth or Hogwash and animal by-products. Pick and

choose how many you want to do. Two boxes.

Animal Science

Garbology Game Play three short games about recycling.

Exploring the Environment

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Germinator Learn about seed germination. Plant some seeds and

follow the growth of the seedlings as they sprout from

the cotton balls while making sure to take proper care of

them with just the right amount of light, heat, and water.

Gardening

Glo Germ Examine germs and discover how hard it can be to rid

surfaces of harmful bacteria! You need a dark area

where you can use the black light.

Food and Nutrition, Health, Safety

Guess How Many Use a wide variety of items in a jar. Give members a

chance to use their best judgment to guess how many

items are in the jars. Good for Cloverbuds or an

icebreaker.

Health Careers This kit is packed with interesting and hands-on activities

to learn all about heath careers: bingo, health hints,

infection board games, etc.

Health

Human Body Extravaganza Take a closer look at the functions of the human body.

It’s a fun interactive kit that will teach members about

their own body.

Health

Incredible Journey Simulate the movement of water as it moves through the

water cycle with this active game.

Geology, Water/Wetlands

New! LEGO: Simple Machines Learn about mechanics through various challenges using

Legos. Each kit is designed to accommodate 2 youth

working together. We have 10 kits (9689) with a

curriculum with many different lessons that you can

adapt to a variety of ages. Curriculum is available online

at Lego.com to view or download.

4-H Science

New! LEGO: LearnToLearn Using Lego bricks, youth explore Engineering and Technology Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies through hands on learning. Each of the activities focus on one subject and skill of the 21st century, however they often incorporate several skills. Examples: bridge building, design a machine, super structures, etc. Elementary age youth.

Curriculum is available online at Lego.com to view or download.

4-H Science

Let’s talk about Wool Learn about the process that wool goes through from

sheep to yarn to fabric. Youth will have a chance to use

wool roving to explore the felting process by making

felt marble.

Sheep, Clothing and Textiles

New! Minnesota Mustelids Youth will learn all about badgers, weasels, and mink and

what make them a part of the mustelid family.

Exploring Animals

MN Weather Survival & Beverage Lesson Ever been stuck out in the cold and don’t know what to

do? Youth will develop an action plan of what to do in

case of many types of severe weather.

Foods, Outdoor Adventures

Motion Commotion Learn about motion, stopping distance, and reaction time

with real-life scenarios.

4-H Science

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Multicultural Paper Crafts Travel to England, Italy, Poland and Japan and make a

paper craft from each country! All ages.

Creative Arts, Global Awareness

Now You See It, Now You Don’t You will learn about what camouflage is by playing a

game demonstrating natural selection.

Wildlife Biology

Outdoor Cooking Ever wonder why food tastes so good when it’s made

outdoors? Find out as we create a box oven and bake

our own goodies! Learn about outdoor nutrition and

how to be safe while cooking outdoors.

Food and Nutrition, Outdoor Adventures

Paper Airplanes Make and test paper airplanes in a contest. Learn about

the four forces of flight.

Aerospace

Ping Pong Popper Learn about Newton’s first law of motion with this hands-

on activity. Poster accompanies lesson.

4-H Science

Reducing Waste Youth will learn about the role of waste in our lives and

many ways that we can reduce it. This kit has many

activities. Use one or all!

Conservation

Rethink Recycling Use your imagination and games to help yourself and

others understand the importance of recycling.

Conservation

Rock and Mineral Discovery Explore how geologists identify rocks and minerals and

see if you can do it yourself!

Geology, Natural Resources

Rockets Away Learn about the parts of a rocket and how they all work!

Aerospace

Rockets to the Rescue! Have you ever wondered how people use rockets in their

everyday lives? Discover how rockets can provide relief

to people after natural disasters. Rockets to the Rescue is

an engaging activity that gives young scientists an

opportunity to let their imagination take flight and

explore how aerospace engineering addresses real world

problems, such as delivering food and supplies in

emergency situations.

Aerospace

Rube Goldberg Challenge Create a wacky way to get a marble to the bottom of a

board. Anoka has three kits. Five additional kits can be

reserved from the regional office.

4-H Science, Rube Goldberg Challenge

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Science Practices Work through the scientific process with many mini-

experiments. Choose how many you do.

4-H Science

Sensory Changes Complete activities about how aging affects the five

senses.

Community Pride (Aging), Health

Sharpie Pen Science In this 30-minute lesson, youth will learn about the primary colors and how colors mix to form new colors. Youth will also understand the chemistry behind alcohol and what it does when it is mixed with colors through a hands-on experiment. 4-H Science, Creative Arts

Shaving Cream Art Create a unique piece of art with a common house hold

product: Shaving Cream!

Creative Arts

Sink or Float Explore water density by doing an experiment and watch

to see what sinks and what floats.

Cloverbud, 4-H Science

New! Snap Circuits Discover how to create your own electrical circuit with

these circuit boards! With this building toy, young

engineers can assemble over 100 different electronic

circuit projects with just 30+ electronic parts. Kids can

construct working models of a photo sensor, a flashing

light, an Adjustable-Volume siren and much more!

We have 4 of the classic kits and then we have 4 Jr. Kits.

Electricity

Soil Secrets Learn how to draw and explain soil’s role in the food web. Discuss the importance of soil in life, and what it means. Determine the things that plants need in order to live. Test the ability of seeds to germinate in the most unlikely places! Gardening, Soil Science

Soy Learn about the lifecycle of soy, and experiment with

many soy materials.

Science of Agriculture, Grains

Soy Beans Soy beans have many uses! Learn about this versatile crop and where soy is all around you. One fun component of this kit is making soy ink. Science of Agriculture, Foods

New! Speedometry Work through many speed challenges with Hot Wheels

cars. Hot Wheels® Speedometry™ encourages inquiry

and real-world, problem-based learning through play,

hands-on activities and in-depth lesson plans.

Do one or all of them!

4-H Science

Spinning a Web Expand knowledge of insects and arachnids by comparing

the two. Learn about the different types of webs and

create your own to see if you can catch any “prey.”

Entomology

Splash of Color Learn about color-mixing by creating 24 new colors with

red, yellow, and blue water.

Cloverbuds, Creative Arts, 4-H Science

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Spy Science Become a spy and learn how to fingerprint, conduct

investigations, decode hidden messages, analyze

evidence, and utilize DNA.

Forensic Science

Stargazing Learn about constellations and ways to observe them.

Create a star seeker wheel to hunt for constellations and

create your own telescope. A telescope is available to

reserve (one week notice required). Groups must put

down a $100 damage deposit which will be returned

after telescope is checked back in.

Astronomy, 4-H Science

Straw Rockets This simple and fun activity teaches about the basic principles of flight by creating and testing a rocket made from simple drinking straws! 4-H Science, Aerospace

Sugary Search Use food labels and packages to identify the types and

amounts of sugar in foods.

Food and Nutrition

Thirsty Stems Discover how plants move water through their systems

by creating a model to demonstrate how plants “drink.”

Plant and Soil Science

Thumbs Up This project kit explores why our thumbs make us unique.

Learn about fingerprinting and discover what it would be

like to live without thumbs through a series of fun and

silly challenges.

Cloverbud, Forensic Science

Tops and Bottoms Everybody eats fruits and vegetables, but does

everyone know where what they eat comes from?

Youth will have the chance to read Tops and Bottoms

by Janet Stevens, a fun story about a tricky hare, a lazy

bear, and vegetables. With a flannel board garden and

pictures of different fruits and vegetables youth will be

able to identify where these food grow.

Food and Nutrition, Gardening

Tree Cycle Youth learn why recycling is important and make their

own paper with this kit. Plan for a larger amount of time,

have access to electricity, and be prepared for mess!

Creative Arts, Natural Resources, Forestry

Tree-mendous Fun Have you ever wondered how old the trees around you

are? Learn how to tell a tree’s age by counting its rings.

Cloverbuds, Forestry

Water Propelled Boats Discover how things can move with water and create

your own boat.

4-H Science

Weather Experiments Create a portable cloud and observe how moisture,

cooling temperature and condensation nuclei play a role

in cloud formation. Make fog in a jar and observe fog

formation.

4-H Science

What Dissolves? Investigate what solids dissolve in hot and cold water.

4-H Science

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What’s Been Scampering Through My Yard? Learn about animal through their tracks!

Exploring Animals, Wildlife

Wildlife Card Games 4-H’ers explore the food chain through fun card games by

creating multiple food chains with the different animal

cards.

Wildlife Biology

Wildlife Careers and Jobs Play the “What Do They Do with Wildlife?” matching

game to learn about career and job opportunities related

to wildlife and the environment. Perfect for older 4-

H’ers.

Exploring the Environment, Wildlife Biology

Wind Power Learn to estimate the speed of the wind by making an

instrument to measure it, and discover how people can

harness the wind and make power.

4-H Science, Global Connections, Exploring the

Environment

Worm-o-logy Youth learn about earthworm anatomy and what their

preferred environment is. You need to supply earth

worms.

4-H Science, Plant and Soil Science, Inquiry Based

Learning

Worms and Compost Discover a new way to get rid of your garbage and how a

couple of little worms can make a big difference! Explore

how real worms work and make your own "Garbage

Garden" through several exciting activities.

4-H Science, Plant and Soil Science

Zoonotic Disease Detective Toolkit Discover the interconnectedness of animals and people

and learn how to stay safe when working with animals.

Science of Agriculture

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ANDOVER REGIONAL PROJECT KITS

The following kits are housed in the Regional Office and are not “self-service” as they are available to other counties as well. You must contact office staff two business days before the kit is needed to check them out.

Stepping Out Lessons

Animal Tracks Explore camouflage and how animals are able to hide themselves from their predators. Become a skilled at identifying animal tracks, go on a nature hike and record any animal tracks you find.

Family/Community Gardening Learn the lifespan of a plant. Construct a miniature herb garden and plant herbs. Create a mini recipe book with ideas of how to use your herbs.

First Aid Readiness Youth will demonstrate some basic outdoor first aid techniques and know what to be aware of when being active outside. Participants will also create a first aid kit and be ready to make healthy decisions when it comes to being injury free.

Geocaching—Importance of Walking Join us as we explore the benefits of walking; learn how to use a pedometer and see the positive influence walking can have in your life. Also, learn how to use technology for a geocaching treasure hunt! You will use a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to guide you on a nature hike! Anoka County 4-H does have GPS units to check out. A deposit is required at the time of check out and will be returned to you when the units are returned in good condition.

Lifetime of Sports Discuss a variety of activities that can be enjoyed through all ages in life and through all seasons. Youth will dramatize the Activity Pyramid to show which activities should be done more often in our daily lives. Participants will be given a jump rope and taught different techniques to stay active with their new healthy toy.

Muscle Mania and Fun Flexibility Stretch and strengthen your muscles while having fun experimenting with some yoga techniques. Learn new ways to stretch and about the important role relaxation plays in our lives. www1.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-H/projects/healthy-living/HLResources/steppingout-lesson-muscle-mania.pdf

Night Vision – Astronomy Nightfall changes things in the great outdoors. Learn how to appreciate nighttime through night vision exercises and navigating at night. Explore the constellations by learning to identify them and the stories of how they came about.

Outdoor Cooking Ever wonder why food tastes so good when it’s made outdoors? Find out as we create a box oven and bake our own goodies! Learn about outdoor nutrition and how to be safe while cooking outdoors. Two Boxes.

P.S.I. (Plant Scene Investigator) – Identifying Plants and Trees Plan a nature hike as a group. Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? Examine the parts of a plant. Also learn how to identify certain types of plants and vegetation in the area.

Winter/Cold Weather Survival Ever stuck out in the cold and don’t know what to do? What do you want to see? Examine the parts of a plant. Also learn how to identify certain types of plants and vegetation in the area.

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Public Presentations Kit Kit contains props and objects for practicing public speaking. Kit comes with a book containing five lesson plans that you could conduct with your group and three children’s books that reinforce topics. You are responsible for assembling any supplies to use with the lessons below. Four lesson plans include:

Getting the Parts In Order Every presentation includes the same basic parts. This activity helps the participant learn what the parts are, put them in a logical order and practice what they include.

Making Your Own Poster Stand Directions for creating your own poster stand out of PVC pipe. Example is included in the Public Presentations Kit.

The Poster Walk All 4-H presentations should include one or more posters.

Use poster examples to learn techniques of an effective

poster.

Super Hero’s Communicate Too! People use communication skills every day. 4-H’ers will create that showcases who they are and practice their public speaking skills as they present to the group.

Supporting Books:

• The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright Book, Stan and Jan Berenstain

• Harriets Recital, by Nancy Carlson

• Just a School Project, by Mercer Mayer

Inquiry Science Activities Kit Inquiry is an approach to learning that allows young people to explore curiosities, investigate questions, and make new

discoveries in order to expand their understanding and perspectives. The kit contains lessons and some of the supplies to

implement the activity. These science learning activities you can use in your club to engage youth through an inquiry

learning process. Please consult the lesson and the kit contents with plenty of time to gather the other supplies that you

may need. Lesson plans include:

Balloon-Powered Cars In this design challenge, youth are given a variety of household materials to create their own air-powered car.

Big Floating Bubbles Youth will take turns making their own bubbles and launching them to float away into the air.

Bouncing Balloons This activity allows youth to engineer a bouncy ball out of a balloon and everyday supplies.

High-Speed Mystery Foods Youth observe what happens when you add water to dehydrated foods and then use their observation skills to find out the identity of a “high-speed mystery food.”

Mysterious M&M’s Youth investigate what happens when M&M’s are placed in water. Youth will then see how changing different variables will affect what happens to the M&Ms.

Oobleck Oobleck is a mixture of cornstarch and water that forms a starch suspension – which is one of many non-Newtonian fluids. It acts like a liquid when being poured but like a solid when a force is acting on it.

Polymer Orbs In this activity, youth will explore hydrogel polymers or

“super absorbent polymers.”

Pinhole Cameras Photography is the top project area in 4-H, but you don’t need a digital camera to learn about how cameras use light and reflection to capture images. A pinhole camera uses a light-proof container to capture an image.

Take It In Stride Measuring your stride is a great way to get excited about walking and staying healthy.

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Healthy Living Cooking Kit

The Anoka County 4-H Camp Committee received a Healthy Living Youth Choice/Youth Voice Grant in 2012 and because of that we now have a Healthy Living Cook Off-Kit available for check out. There are TWO tubs that contain kitchen supplies needed to conduct a cook off with your group or a foods project meeting.

Materials Available in Kits

TUB #1 = ITEM DESCRIPTION QUANITY

Blender Hamilton Beach Blender & Travel Cup 1

Can Opener Sunbeam Can Opener 1

Chopping Knife 4” OXO Good Grips Santoka Knife & Blue Guard 4

Chopping Knife 8” Chicago Cutlery Chef’s Knife & Cover 4

Chopping Mat Flexible non-skid cutting mat – * 2 each of 4 colors 8

Colander HIC Essential Collapsible Colander – 1/station 4

Cooler White Rolling Cooler w/ 4-H Imprint 1

Cutting Board Polyethylene cutting board – 1/station 4

Dish Tub Plastic dish tub – 1/station 4

Document Holder Clear Acrylic Document Holders – 1/station 4

Liquid Measuring Cup Pyrex 2-cup – 1/station 4

Measuring Cup/Spoon White spoon/cup set – 1/station 4

Mixing Bowl Farberware Classic Mixing Bowl – 1/station 4

Mixing Spoon 10” wooden mixing spoon – 1/station 4

My Plate Resource 1 plate, 3 consumable tear-off HO & stickers 1

Oven Mitt 4-H Oven Mitt – 1/station 4

Palm Peeler 4-H Palm Peeler with Ergonomic Design 1

Peeler Sunbeam Peeler 2

Power Caddy w Ext. Cord Woods Power Caddy Plus Extension Cord Reel 1

Rice Cooker Proctor Silex 8 cup Rice Cooker 1

Surge Protector Belkin 6-outlet surge protector – 1/station 4

Timer Sunbeam Kitchen Timer – 1/station 4

Thermometer 4 Meat & 1 Refrigerator thermometers 5

Thumball 4-H Activity Thumball 1

Turner High Heat Nylon Round Turner – 1/station 4

Whisk 10” Wire Whisk – 1/station 4

Veggie Scrub Brush Good Grips Flexible Veg. Brush 1

TUB #2 = ITEM DESCRIPTION QUANITY

Aprons Green 4-H Clover Apron 20/kit

Electric Fry Pan Rival 11” or Oster 12” Electric Skillet 4

Electric Fry Pan Glass Lid Rival or Oster 4

Electric Fry Pan Temperature Control Dial

Rival or Oster 4

Surge Protector Belkin 6-outlet surge protector 4

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PROJECT KITS & EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Project learning is most successful when being mindful of the experiential learning

process. The experiential learning model serves as the foundation of 4-H which allows

youth to learn through a carefully planned “doing” experience that is followed by leader

led discussion using purposeful questions. The experiential learning model by Kolb (1984)

and modified by 4-H includes five specific steps:

1. Participant(s) experience the activity--perform or do it.

2. Participant(s) share the experience by describing what happened.

3. Participant(s) process the experience to determine what was most important

and identify common themes.

4. Participant(s) generalize from the experience and relate it to their daily lives.

5. Participant(s) apply what they learned to a new situation.

When this model is used, youth both experience and process the activity. They learn from thoughts and ideas about the

experience. Each step contributes to their learning.

Providing an experience alone does not create experiential learning. Experiences lead to learning if the participant

understands what happened, sees patterns of observations, generalizes from those observations and understands how to

use the generalization again in a new situation.1

1 Marilyn N. Norman, Associate Professor in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and State 4-H Program Leader, and Joy C. Jordan, Associate

Professor in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611.