Cloverbud Project

Building a Safe and Positive Experience

A young child doesn’t need a subject expert or even an expert in 4-H – they need you to provide a safe and supportive experience that guides them in exploring new things and having fun.

We can’t wait to see what youth will do, learn, and achieve in 4-H. To start, parents/caregivers and youth may be wondering what it means to join a project. If you have questions about projects, this page might help.

If the youth is a new member in grades 5K-2 in Wisconsin 4-H, it means they belong to the Cloverbud Project. Youth in these grade levels are also sometimes called Cloverbuds. It is the only project that youth in this age group are allowed to sign up for, because it is the only project that is designed just for them.

We encourage youth and families to use Cloverbuds—their first 4-H project—to dip their toe in the water, find out what is possible with 4-H, and get to know their club and community in a new way. Become a volunteer today!

Wisconsin 4-H Cloverbud Learning Activities

Wisconsin Cloverbud learning activities can be used in a variety of settings, including 4-H club meetings, Cloverbud project meetings, day camps and afterschool programs.

Each activity features a different 4-H project area and targets the development of developmentally appropriate life skills. The instructions were tested to be easy to follow for both youth and adult leaders, using materials that are relatively low-cost and easy to obtain.

While each of the activities could be used as stand-alone, they are grouped together for year-long sequence of Cloverbud activities.

Better Bubbles

Build a Snack Mix

Building a Web

Edible Color Wheel

Make a Mini-Greenhouse

Paper Bag Pet Parade

Pop-Up Greetings

See The Wind

Wake Up Your Taste Buds

National 4-H Council Curriculum

4-H Mall
There are 4 different activity packets available from the 4-H Mall Website. They all come with guides and vary in price.

Other University Extension Services – Activities and Resources

Iowa State University Extension
CloverKids lessons, CloverKid Connections Blog, and suggested websites for K-3 resources. All materials can be downloaded free of charge on the Iowa State 4-H website

Ohio State University Extension
Ohio State Extension has a variety of Cloverbud materials and activity guides for sale or download: Ohio State Extension Website.

Michigan State University Extension
Kaleidoscope Leader’s Guide and Member Packet include plans for meetings on 12 different topics. Materials can be downloaded free of charge on the Michigan State University Extension website

Montana State University Extension
Montana 4-H Cloverbud Manual includes activity guides for Cloverbud project exploration in the areas of Science and Technology, Environment, Family and Consumer Science among others. Materials can be downloaded free of charge.

Utah State University Extension
Utah State Extension has a variety of activity plans on their Discover 4-H Clubs website. Scroll down to find activity plans and more information on Cloverbuds.

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