Michigan 4-H License Plate Icebreaker Activity
DOWNLOADJanuary 1, 2026 - Michigan State University Extension
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EmailThis activity promotes the Michigan 4-H license plate and serves as an icebreaker where participants showcase their creativity by designing their own custom license plate about themselves. This icebreaker can be used with adults or youth.
Time Needed
- 5-10 minutes for license plate creation
- Extra time is needed if participants will share out their plate details
Supplies Needed
- Copies of the blank Michigan 4-H license plate template
- Decorating items such as:
- Markers
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Stickers
- Stencils
- Stamps with ink
- Optional resources such as:
- Michigan 4-H license plate flyer
- Special cause license plate order form
- Other promotional materials for the Michigan 4-H license plate
What to Know Before You Start
The Michigan 4-H Youth Development program has a specialty license plate available at the Michigan Secretary of State. The license plate allows drivers to showcase their pride for Michigan 4-H and gives back funds to the Michigan 4-H program. Twenty-five dollars of the initial $35 license plate fee comes back to Michigan 4-H. The full $10 annual renewal also goes to Michigan 4-H.
Activity Instructions
- Provide each participant with a blank license plate template.
- Distribute decorating materials such as crayons, markers, etc.
- Mention that the Michigan 4-H Youth Development program has a specialty license plate available at the Michigan Secretary of State. The license plate allows drivers to showcase their pride for Michigan 4-H and gives back funds to the Michigan 4-H program.
- Say, “Today we are going to design our own license plate to showcase what makes each of you proud and share more about ourselves. The 4-H clover is already on the license plate, just like the one that can be purchased. What else would you include on a license plate to share more about you? You can have pictures, numbers, words, or any combination of those.”
- Provide 5-10 minutes for participants to create their license plate.
- If time permits, have all (or a few) participants share their name and what their license plate illustrates about them.
Optional Activity Extension
- Use the license plates to create a name tent so everyone can see names during a program.
- Have participants put their name on the license plate in the middle and include details about themselves around their name.
- Collect license plates and put them on a wall, poster board or other display that can be seen regularly.
Fun Facts
- License plates were founded in France in 1893. In the U.S., New York was the first state to require license plates in 1901.
- License plates are required for all vehicles on the road.
- Michigan 4-H license plates can be purchased at Secretary of State offices across Michigan, as well as online. Learn more at extension.msu.edu/4-HPlate.
