Michigan 4-H Youth Development - For Youth


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4-H Youth Development Michigan State University 160 Agriculture Hall East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 USA Phone: 517-432-7575 Fax: 517-355-6748 Email: msue4h@msu.edu Disclaimer & Indicia

4-H Pledge Game
Make a 4-H Clover Catcher!

4-H Clover Catchers are a great activity for older youth to teach to younger kids! They work well at a fair booth, under a summer festival activity tent, at a mall display, or for a club meeting as an icebreaker.

Getting ready…

1. Download and print the 4-H Clover Catcher Activity Handout (Adobe Acrobat PDF file format). Copy the clover catcher and folding line sheets back to back on bright green paper.

2. Make a few copies of the folding instructions sheet and cut them in half. Laminating a few might be wise for use in an outdoor tent activity.

3. Trim off the 4-H Pledge bookmark portion of the clover catcher sheet and save to use later as a handout!

4. Make a few samples in different stages of construction so helpers can demonstrate the folding process.

Folding the paper, putting the clover catchers on small fingers and moving them to “spell out” a word may be a little too difficult for some younger children but they will enjoy pointing to the pictures and watching a helper move the catcher as they spell the words out loud! They also enjoy moving their clover catchers and spelling in unison with a helper.

Ways to extend this activity…

Have fun wtih creative writing and design! Prepare some blank paper squares, drawing supplies, stickers, glitter and other craft supplies so kids can invent and decorate their own unique clover catchers. Encourage them to write their own creative wording. Enjoy the fun as they try out their creations!

Exploring Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is another great extension of this paper folding activity. If origami paper isn’t available or is too expensive, patterned, metallic or shiny gift wrap that is carefully cut into exact squares makes a great alternative.