On the road with 4-H: Fun ways to celebrate the new Michigan 4-H license plate
Print
EmailEngage youth and families with energizers, icebreakers and celebration ideas inspired by Michigan’s newest way to show 4 H pride.
The new Michigan 4‑H license plate is more than just a specialty plate; it’s a fun way to show your support for Michigan State University Extension and celebrate the youth and volunteers who make Michigan 4‑H shine.
The license plate offers an opportunity to showcase your 4-H pride and Michigan 4-H offers some activities that allow everyone to join in the fun during this momentous time.
Energizers and icebreakers
- Often members, volunteers and families arrive early to meetings or events. Rather than have them sit and wait, provide the Michigan 4-H license plate coloring page and some markers or crayons. The finished coloring pages can be taken home or hung up in your space.
- Post a prompt such as ‘Where would you drive with your 4‑H license plate?’ on a poster board or flip chart paper and invite youth, volunteers and families to add their ideas. This is great for building community and sparking conversation. You can also have everyone vote on a destination and work on planning skills to plan your pretend trip to that destination.
- The Michigan 4-H License Plate Icebreaker Activity allows participants to design their own license plate and share important factors about themselves with others. Hanging the license plates or having youth share with the group can build group connection and enhance relationships.
- Print out the template from the Michigan 4-H License Plate Icebreaker Activity and put names on each license plate for members to find their pair. For instance, “PNUTBUTR” and “JELLY” or “COOKES” and “MLK” or even 4-H project areas such as “GROWIT” and “PLANT” or “ANMLS” and “HRSES” etc.
Year-end reflection and celebration
- Use the Michigan 4-H License Plate Icebreaker Activity template to have youth create mock plates that summarize and celebrate their 4-H year. Members can draw pictures and/or list all their favorite memories or learning moments from the 4-H year and present them at the year-end celebration.
- Use the Michigan 4-H License Plate Icebreaker Activity template as a theme for your club display or celebration for the year. Have youth share what “drives” their passion or how 4-H “drives” them forward in life.
- Place 4-H license plates, using the Michigan 4-H License Plate Icebreaker Activity template, around the room with different prompts or trivia questions on them such as, “What is your favorite 4-H memory” or “Name the 4 H’s.”
Michigan 4-H license plates may be ordered at any time by visiting Michigan.gov/sos, by mailing a form or scheduling a visit to any Secretary of State office. The plate will be delivered by mail in two to three weeks. Similar to other special cause fundraising license plates in the state, the Michigan 4-H license plate will cost $35, with $25 of the purchase fee benefiting Michigan 4-H Youth Development. A $10 fee will also be charged to benefit Michigan 4-H when the plate is renewed.
No matter how you use the new Michigan 4‑H license plate, these activities offer fun ways to build excitement, strengthen connections and celebrate 4‑H pride across your club or county.
MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. To find out how to get involved as a Michigan 4-H youth participant or an adult volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office.
