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With the 4th H for Health Challenge, get motivated to create healthy habits over the next year. Choose activities each month that support your overall health and well-being!
4th H for Health Challenge
4th H for Health Challenge
California 4-H Healthy Living invites you to participate in activities that support your overall health and well-being! The 4th H for Health Challenge is hosted by the 4-H State Office and is meant to empower you to create healthy habits by using various activities.
The challenge includes three main areas:
Healthy eating
Movement
Social emotional health
This guide is meant to provide suggested examples of how these areas can be included in your club meetings, events or at home.
When
When
Start any time after August 1, 2025. Challenge ends June 30, 2026.
Submit completed Challenge Trackers to the California 4-H State Office to receive a 4-H Healthy Living certificate & pin. Full instructions are on the Challenge Tracker Information Sheet.
Promote the Challenge
Promote the Challenge
Download and share the flyer to promote the challenge in your 4-H club and group!
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 4th H for Health Challenge a requirement for this program year?
Is the 4th H for Health Challenge a requirement for this program year?
No. This is an opt-in challenge to support you in practicing healthy habits.
Do we have to complete the challenge and tracker during our club meetings?
Do we have to complete the challenge and tracker during our club meetings?
No. The goal of this challenge is to allow flexibility. This challenge can be completed in project meetings or at home.
Do I have to be in a club to participate?
Do I have to be in a club to participate?
No. You can participate in different ways. 4-H youth in after-school programs, camps and other programs can participate too.
I am a club Healthy Living Officer. Can I lead this challenge for our club?
I am a club Healthy Living Officer. Can I lead this challenge for our club?
Absolutely! This is a resource you can use to lead your club in practicing different Healthy Living activities. There are also blank templates for you to come up with your own ideas.
Do I have to complete all of the suggested activities?
Do I have to complete all of the suggested activities?
No. The lists are just suggestions. We invite you to be creative! Explore different ways to mix in healthy habits in your day.
Can this Challenge be recorded in my Record Book or Achievements?
Can this Challenge be recorded in my Record Book or Achievements?
Yes! Record your Challenge under "Participation" in:
My 4-H Story
Summary of Activities
Spark Achievement/Personal Development Report
Healthy Lifestyle Activities in Star Ranks.
Who can I contact if I have questions about the Challenge?
Who can I contact if I have questions about the Challenge?
This Challenge is hosted by the California 4-H State Office. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact Ally Lemmer, Healthy Living Academy Coordinator at alemmer@ucanr.edu.
Resources and Ideas
Resources and Ideas
Challenge Tracker
Challenge Tracker
Record your progress using the Challenge Tracker forms. The Information Sheet and Tracker form must be turned in together in order.
Print Challenge Tracker
Print Challenge Tracker
The entire Challenge Tracker packet contains 3 pages: Information cover sheet, Challenge Tracker form (2 pages)
Challenge Tracker packet (PDF)
Challenge Tracker form (PDF)
Digital Challenge Tracker
Digital Challenge Tracker
Challenge Tracker template (Google survey)
End of challenge, June 30
End of challenge, June 30
At the end of the challenge, please send the Information Sheet and your Challenge Tracker to the California 4-H State Office in one of the following ways:
Challenge Tracker Submission Form (Google Form)
Email: alemmer@ucanr.edu
Postal mail to California 4-H State Office, attn: Ally Lemmer, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618
Activity Guides for Challenge Areas
Activity Guides for Challenge Areas
The following guides give you ideas and suggestions for developing your challenge activities.
Monthly Topics
Monthly Topics
Start planning your activities with monthly topic suggestions for each 4th H for Health Challenge area. Use the monthly topics shared or create your own!
Monthly Meeting Topics
Monthly Meeting Topics
The first page is the list of topics shared for each month. Use this list or create your own using the blank worksheet. The packet contains the worksheets and the flyers for all of the months.
References
References
This list contains all of the links to webpages and videos that are shared in the meeting topics and curriculum. The links are also listed in each monthly meeting topics below.
Download References (PDF)
September
September
Fruit & Vegetable Taste Test
Fruit & Vegetable Taste Test
Fruit & Veg. Taste Test (PDF)
Grocery Shopping List (PDF)
Safe Routes Map
Safe Routes Map
Safe routes to schools - pedestrian and bicycle safety lessons
Name Tags
Name Tags
October
October
Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables
Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables
Harvest of the Month workbooks; California Dept. of Public Health
Benefits of Movement
Benefits of Movement
Recess Helps You Think, and Other Reasons to Get Up and Move; PBS Learning Media
Technology Use
Technology Use
Screen Time: How Much is Too Much? | Above the Noise; PBS Learning Media
Video (4:17): Limiting Screen Time: Baby Unplugged; Cincinnati Children's
Video (2:56): The Common Sense Census: A Day in Teens' Digital Lives; Common Sense Media for Families
Video (1:57): Media Balance is Important; Common Sense Education
November
November
Food Can Drive
Food Can Drive
Video (3:52); Drive-thru food pantry feeds thousands in California food desert; CBS News
Video (8:40): Saturday at the Food Pantry—Kids Book Read Aloud Poverty Hunger Food Insecurity Short Story; Read Aloud with Mr. Paul
Video (2:21): Students Making a Difference: Canned Food Drive; RoundRockISD
Benefits of Sleep
Benefits of Sleep
Sleep; PBS
Sleep Quiz; PBS
Drinking Water
Drinking Water
December
December
Cultural or Family Recipes
Cultural or Family Recipes
CalFresh Healthy Living eatFresh Recipes
Expert Interviews
Expert Interviews
Interview template (PDF)
Game Night
Game Night
January
January
Food Preservation
Food Preservation
Sauerkraut recipe; CalFresh Healthy Living eatFresh recipes
Kale Chips recipe; CalFresh Healthy Living eatFresh recipes
Icy Fruit Pops recipe; CalFresh Healthy Living eatFresh recipes
Yoga & Mindful Breathing
Yoga & Mindful Breathing
Yoga Poses (PDF)
Breathing Exercises (PDF)
Expert Interviews
Expert Interviews
February
February
Brain Break Kits
Brain Break Kits
Dance
Dance
4-H Dancefit curriculum by University of Kentucky; shared by Texas 4-H
Expert Interviews
Expert Interviews
Interview template (PDF)
March
March
Mindful Scavenger Hunt
Mindful Scavenger Hunt
Mindful Scavenger Hunt worksheet
Run/Walk
Run/Walk
Recess Helps You Think, and Other Reasons to Get Up and Move; PBS
Activities & Resources to Encourage Movement; California 4-H Healthy Living Toolkit
Grow Your Own Food
Grow Your Own Food
Food Fun: Growing and Making Your Own Food; Clover by 4-H
April
April
Food Waste
Food Waste
Food Waste Audit worksheet
Reducing Food Waste; California Academy of Sciences, video 1:54
Kitchen Waste Analysis: Consequences of Food Systems; Clover by 4-H
Trash Clean Up
Trash Clean Up
Video (4:59) Students Cleaning Up Their Community; Volunteers Cleaning Communities
Video (2:16) Teen hosts community events to clean up Stockton; ABC10
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts
Creative Arts Activities; Clover by 4-H
May
May
Farmers' Market
Farmers' Market
Certified Farmers' Markets by County (PDF); Calif. Dept. of Food and Agriculture
Become a Citizen Scientist
Become a Citizen Scientist
Video (5:35): What is Citizen Science?; SciGirls
Community Science; California Academy of Sciences
Nature's Notebook; National Phenology Network
eBird; Cornell Lab
Service Learning
Service Learning
June
June
Potluck
Potluck
Water Safety
Water Safety
Water Safety for Kids; American Red Cross
Video (4:28):Teaching the Importance of Being Safe Around Water; First Coast News
Letters of Appreciation
Letters of Appreciation
Special Thanks & Acknowledgements
Special Thanks & Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge that this challenge was inspired by the 4-H Healthy Living Management Team and Healthy Kids Out of School previous efforts. Special thanks to the insight and input of the California 4-H Healthy Living Advisory Committee, which consists of Community Nutrition and Health Advisors, Academic Advisors, and Academic Coordinators in addition to CA 4-H volunteers, Community Education Specialists and Regional Program Coordinators.
Questions?
Questions?
Please contact Ally Lemmer at alemmer@ucanr.edu.
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