Discover how to be self-reliant and responsible, handle emergencies and develop home-alone skills. Learn about home safety, age-appropriate toys, nutritious snacks for children and how to create a poem, story or game.
What can you do?
In the child and family development project, you can:
- Create a toy, game or puzzle using recycled materials.
- Develop a program for youth with differing abilities.
- Put together a babysitting kit.
- Job shadow a child care provider or another youth worker.
These are just some of the many ways you can participate in this project.
Project information
Get started with 4-H'ers in your area
- Contact your local 4-H office for more info.
Get started on your own
- Begin your project learning with the child and family development project resource guide.
- Reflect on your project and what you've learned using 4-H record keeping.
Project opportunities near you
Get in touch with your local 4-H office to learn about child and family development project events and activities in your area.
Interested in getting involved as a child and family development project volunteer?
Contact your local 4-H office or learn more about volunteering in 4-H.
Fair information
What does it mean to show at the fair?
For 4-H'ers, local and state showcase events (like the Minnesota State Fair) are not just fun events. They provide youth opportunities to exhibit the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the year– and to continue their learning.
Contact your local 4-H office for child and family development project showcase opportunities near you.
Exhibit ideas and judging criteria
Get exhibit ideas and find out what the judge is looking for in the evaluation sheet (Google Doc).
Reviewed in 2023