FAMILY RESOURCES
Looking for ways to keep your kids active, learning, and building real world skill? We've gathered a list of activities, programs, and opportunities designed to get kids off the screens and into hands on experiences that build resilience, independence, and grit. Check back often as we continue to add new resources!
All Ages:
About:
In 4‑H programs, kids and teens complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4‑H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4‑H camps.
4‑H’s reach and depth are unmatched, reaching kids in every corner of America – from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. Our network of 500,000 volunteers and more than 3,000 4-H professionals provides caring and supportive mentoring to all 6 million 4H’ers—helping them grow into engaged individuals who are hungry to learn, open to new experiences and ready to take on the world.
Website: 4-h.org
About:
FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success.
Members are future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields.
FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education.
Website: FFA.org
About:
Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of more than 1 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and more than 628,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories.
Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in Scouting America’s youth programs. More than 35 million adult volunteers have helped carry out Scouting America’s mission.
BSA programs are divided by age and activity: Cub Scouting is for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5th grade, Scouts BSA is open to young men and young women in grades 6 through 12, and co-ed Venturing and Sea Scouting are available for young men and young women age 14 through 20. Scouting America also offers career-oriented co-ed Exploring programs to youth age 10 through 20.
Traditional Scouting programs are operated by local chartering organizations, such as religious institutions, clubs, civic associations, and educational organizations, which implement the Scouting program for youth within their communities. These units are led entirely by volunteers appointed by the chartering organization, who are supported by local councils using both volunteers and paid professional staff.
In order to further outdoor activities, which are core to Scouting’s mission, Scouting America has four High-Adventure Bases: Northern Tier (Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario), Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico), Sea Base (Florida), and Summit Bechtel Reserve (West Virginia).
Website: scouting.org
Lowes & HomeDepot Kids Workshops
About Kids Workshops:
The Lowes & Home Depot Kids Workshops is a free hands-on learning experience that encourages skill-building and creativity in children ages 5-12. Skills such as following step-by-step instructions, working with hand tools like hammers and screwdrivers, and painting. The Workshops are hosted by store associates who also serve as Workshop Captains. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian to assist them with completing the workshop kit. The time for completing the kits varies but usually takes 30 minutes. Each child can bring home a newly constructed project, a Kids Workshops apron, an achievement pin, and a certificate. These Workshops are held on the first Saturday of each month, starting at 9am, while supplies last, in all stores nationwide. The Home Depot Kids Workshops schedule is available here. Be sure to register to secure your spot.
Every Kids Workshops kit comes with a related STEAM activity to continue learning and playing with your workshop creation in an unexpected new way. Completing these extension activities with your child can help spark their imagination and develop core problem-solving skills. Each extension activity also calls out a related Pro Trades career.
Other Projects & Crafts for Kids
The Home Depot also has projects ideas and activities for kids. What better way to connect with your child than through fun and creative DIY projects? Building together not only fosters creativity, but also creates lasting memories. Each guide or video provides step-by-step instructions and a supply list. These projects use everyday household items and supplies that can be purchased at The Home Depot. Whether you’re building a birdhouse or making slime, these activities will provide hours of enjoyment and a chance to bond with your future DIYer. Grab your supplies and start building!
Websites:
Lowes: https://www.lowes.com/diy-projects-and-ideas/workshops
HomeDepot: https://www.homedepot.com/c/kids-workshop
Middle School And Up
About:
Representing over 413,000 career and technical education students and teachers, SkillsUSA chapters thrive in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Our mission is accomplished through the SkillsUSA Framework of Personal Skills, Workplace Skills and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics, which is integrated into classroom curriculum.
Through the Framework, SkillsUSA students hone their hands-on skills against current industry standards in more than 130 occupational areas, from 3D Animation to Welding and nearly everything in between. At the same time, they develop the transformative career-readiness skills — teamwork, communication, professionalism, leadership and more — that fuel career and life success.
A vital solution to the ongoing skills gap, where more highly skilled jobs are available than skilled professionals ready to fill them, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million diverse, difference-making members since 1965.
Mission:
SkillsUSA is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. Our mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.
Website: www.skillsusa.org/