Youth Activity Archive

Activity Description: Youth vote as a group by choosing between different ideas using tokens and paper bags.

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Items Needed:

• Paper bags, boxes, or containers of some kind that can be marked on
• Pen or Marker
• Tokens (beads, beans, jelly beans, marbles, etc.)

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 15–30 min):

1. Review the options. (4–6 min)
   • Youth talk about different ideas and come up with a clear list of choices they can vote one.
   • See Brainstorming activities, if needed.
2. Prepare voting containers. (3–4 min)
   • Label each paper bag, box, or container with a different idea or option. Place the containers where youth can easily reach them.
3. Vote with beads. (4–6 min)
   • Give each youth three tokens. Youth drop their tokens into the containers with their favorite ideas.
   • (Optional) Use a total of five tokens. Three tokens can be used for their favorite option and two tokens for second and one token for their third choice.
   • (Optional) Use a total of five tokens. Two tokens can be used for their favorite option and then they get three choices for only one token.
4. Choose the group decision. (3–4 min)
   • Count the tokens and select the top idea.
   • If two or more bags tie, give each youth one token for a final vote between the two choices.
   • Share the final choice with the group.