The resources below are intended for teachers, parents and other youth leaders, as well as other student groups, to use with youth ages 9 to 13. Partner Family Scrapbook Put your creativity to work "scrapbooking" a family's journey to homeownership! Habitat Dog House Utilizing as few building materials as possible, this new building activity is a lesson in economical, environmentally friendly construction. Helping Hands for Habitat (PDF) A service-learning program designed for students of all ages. The program challenges youth to raise money for their local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Habitat BINGO A fun game for youth! Habitat for Humanity Bingo uses tools on the web site for a fun twist on a classic game. Youth Programs Recycling Guide This guide helps you through the process of working with Cans for Habitat and your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. It’s a great way to help your affiliate fund raise and offers different ideas for each age group. People House Building a home is not something all youth can help with, so this activity allows them to build a house of people. The concept of many people contributing to finish a house will also spark a great discussion. Seeds of the Future Youth can use this guide to grow and provide plants for local Habitat for Humanity homeowners or for a special community destination. It is a fun process that promotes responsibility and develops “green thumbs.” Girls Build Habitat for Humanity International’s Girls Build program is “raising the roof” on a new program aimed at empowering preteen girls. Girls Build, a national program, provides learning opportunities for girls, in partnership with youth organizations, designed to educate on homes, homeownership, economic self-sufficiency, Habitat for Humanity and community needs. The program provides a fun environment for girls to actively learn through games, simulations, journaling, community projects, and interview sessions with professionals in the housing and community development fields. Act as an Affiliate Using the Act as a Habitat for Humanity Affiliate activity, groups of teens role-play as affiliates who must obtain all the necessary things to build a Habitat for Humanity home. Habitat Gingerbread House Construct an edible gingerbread house and learn about simple, decent housing. Build a Model Habitat for Humanity House Build a model Habitat for Humanity two-bedroom house using this free downloadable activity and an empty cereal box. Building a Better World Youth Activities Poster The Building a Better World Youth Activities Poster is designed to be used by a group of children, ages 8 to 12. Through activities and achievements, youth can track their progress as they learn more about substandard housing and Habitat for Humanity. Card Creation Kit Young people can use the resources in this kit to make cards for donors, homeowners and volunteers. The Habitat for Humanity Curriculum The Habitat for Humanity Curriculum is a set of lessons—including handouts, worksheets, assessments, answer keys and rubrics—designed to teach public and private school students about housing issues around the world. Habitat Vacation Bible School Smyth & Helwys Publishing and Habitat for Humanity International present Under Construction: A Habitat for Humanity Vacation Bible School. This VBS curriculum applies real-world principles of faith to building the future—a learning experience for your children like no other! Hands-on Building Activities for Youth Do you have youth under the age of 16 who want to do some hands-on building? Check out these step-by-step directions for youth (individuals or groups) to do with the help of an adult. Kids Only Inserts Starting in the winter of 2005, each issue of the Frameworks newsletter includes a “Kids Only” insert. These inserts feature activities such as word searches and fill-in-the-blanks that teach young people about Habitat. You can download these inserts to copy and pass out to youth. Paper House Campaign Advocacy is when anyone speaks out for what they believe in. Children of all ages can become advocates for an end to substandard housing. The Paper House Campaign allows youth as young as 5 the opportunity to communicate their concerns to their local lawmakers. Learn about the campaign, or learn more about advocacy. Service Learning Guide Habitat for Humanity is an excellent way to get your classroom involved in a service learning activity. Our Service Learning Guide can give you some tips on working with your local affiliate to set up a service learning project with Habitat for Humanity. Welcome Home Housing Simulation Using the Welcome Home Housing Simulation, groups of teens role-play as homeless individuals who must seek adequate and affordable housing in relation to their different situations. Participants learn about different aspects of housing assistance, such as applying for a lease and Section 8.
The Youth Programs department is compiling a database of successful youth-oriented, Habitat-related programs, and we need your submissions! Visit the Youth Programs Database. For more information, contact youthprograms@habitat.org or (800) HABITAT, Ext. 2422.
