Youth Diversity Activities

Chain of Diversity

• Pennsylvania State University suggests a number of youth diversity activities, including the Chain of Diversity. In order to complete the chain, kids each receive six strips of construction paper. (Cut the available strips in a number of colors, and allow the children to choose whatever color or colors they like.) Once the kids have the paper strips, ask them to think about both their similarities to and differences from each other. On each strip of paper, have each young person write both one difference and one similarity. When finished, each youth should have listed six differences and six similarities.

  Next, have the kids form a circle and pick a person to begin the chain. Give her a glue stick, and have her form links with her strips of paper while discussing the similarities and differences she has listed. When she has finished, she should pass the glue stick to the person beside her, who will then add his links as well as his similarities and differences to hers, and so on. The links of the chain value both the qualities the participants share and those they do not.

What's in a Name

• Rutgers University suggests What's in a Name?, a game that allows youth to share stories while teaching about their cultures and ethnicities. In advance, instruct the kids to discuss the origin of their names with family members. Tell them to come to the diversity event prepared to tell one story about one of their names---first, middle or last. When you bring the kids together, have each one share his story. The story exchange may prove amusing, enlightening and educational.

Cultural Scavenger Hunt

• Scouting Web suggests Cultural Scavenger Hunt, which sends the kids to hunt for differences and claim those differences as prizes to treasure. Each child receives a list of cultural accomplishments and then must approach other kids to see who has achieved them. The list includes such accomplishments as "Knows some American Sign Language," "Has relatives or ancestors who came through Ellis Island" or "Has attended a Kwanzaa celebration, or knows what Kwanzaa is."