Build-Your-Own-Town Project Inspired by Milton Hershey

When most people hear “Hershey,” they think of chocolate. But did you know Hershey, Pennsylvania is also a town built by our founder, Milton Hershey?

When Mr. Hershey built his chocolate factory, he knew he needed to provide a place for his workers to live. But he didn’t just want to build a few houses. “I am trying to build here a place where people can be happy and contented while they work and live in pleasant surroundings,” he said in an interview.

With this goal in mind, Mr. Hershey built comfortable homes for his workers and their families, along with trolleys to help them get to work. He invested in schools and libraries. He even funded a zoo and Hershey Park, where families could enjoy green spaces and attractions.

Ready to build a town like Mr. Hershey? Inspired by the upcoming HERSHEY movie, this hands-on community planning activity helps kids create a town of their own, encouraging creativity while teaching important lessons about civic engagement, leadership and helping others.

Activity at a Glance

Designed for grades 3-12, with additional activities for older kids.
Discuss what a town needs to thrive.
Design your own town.
Present your town to the class.

Who Was Milton Hershey

Milton S. Hershey was a chocolate maker and entrepreneur who founded The Hershey Company in 1894. He was dedicated to hard work and perseverance — not just in his role running The Hershey Company, but in his sense of duty to his community.

Mr. Hershey and his wife, Catherine, dedicated themselves to lives of service. They used their vast fortune to create the town of Hershey for the chocolate factory workers, complete with homes, schools, public transportation and community spaces.

The Hershey’s greatest gift came in 1909, when they established the Hershey Industrial School, now known as the Milton Hershey School. Mr. Hershey would eventually transfer his entire fortune over to the school, providing education, care and opportunities for children.

DID YOU KNOW?

During the Great Depression,  Mr. Hershey personally funded major building projects  in Hershey to keep his workers employed.

What Makes a Great Town?

Before you start designing your own town, it helps to consider what makes a town a great place to live. Mr. Hershey provided not just jobs and homes, but spaces where families could relax, socialize and have fun.

Step 1:

Use the following questions to help start a discussion about what makes a great place to live:

Where do people live?
Where do children go to school / where do adults work?
Where do people shop?
What places help people have fun?
What’s the climate/weather like?
How do people get around?
What makes a town welcoming and safe?

Download the worksheet PDF

child filling out the town needs worksheet

Step 2:

After your class discussion, ask students to work together to create a list of "must-have" places every town should include.

Design Your Own Community

Step 3:

Start building the foundation of your town with the most important places a town needs. That includes:

Homes
School
Park
Library
Hospital
Stores
Restaurants
Community gathering space

CHALLENGE IDEA

Ask students to add one unique feature  that makes their town special.

Step 4:

Give your town a name! It can be named after a person or based on an attribute or theme. (Examples: “Candy Town,” “Movie Town,” etc.)

Think Like Milton Hershey

Step 5:

When he built Hershey, Mr. Hershey thought about what people needed to live happy and productive lives. Ask students to consider, “How will my town help people?” Help guide their design with questions like:

Is there a place for families to gather?
Can kids learn and play?
Is there enough green space?
How can I make everyone feel welcome?
If money was no object, what would you put in it to help everyone have fun?

Build Your Town Map

Step 6:

Now it’s time to make your town come to life by creating a town map!

Materials:

Large sheet of paper or posterboard
Road map downloadable PDF
Markers or crayons
Construction paper
Stickers
Recyclable crafting materials

Directions:

Draw roads and neighborhoods
Label important buildings
Add parks, landmarks and attractions
Create a town name and town slogan

coloring in town while eating hershey snacks

CHALLENGE IDEA

Make your town 3D with brick blocks,  model trees and action figures.

Present Your Town to the Class

Step 7:

Ask students to present their town to the class. In their presentation, they should share:

Their town's name
Why they built it
What makes it unique
How it helps its citizens
Their favorite feature

BONUS ACTIVITY

Hold a "Town Expo" where students walk around  and explore each other's communities. At the end,  award the kids “Junior Mayor” certificates!

Community Planning Activity Extensions for Older Students

Try these variations to the activity to make it more challenging for students in middle school and high school.

STEM Activities

Estimate population size. What features of the town would have to grow as the population increases?
Discuss climate and weather. What aspects of the town would you change based on different environments?
Discuss environmental sustainability and how towns can be built to be more sustainable.

Social Studies Activities

Talk about community outreach projects. What groups in your community need assistance and how can your town support them?
Explore how cities develop. How did your town or city get its start? Discuss types of government and what form would best govern your town.
Compare student towns to Hershey, Pennsylvania. How are they similar? How are they different?

Writing Connection

Create an advertisement or a travel brochure inviting visitors to the town.
Discuss which town features would be most interesting to visitors.

Milton Hershey's greatest legacy wasn't just making chocolate—it was creating opportunities and building a community where people could thrive. With this classroom activity, students can follow in his footsteps by imagining, designing and building a town of their own. Who knows? Their dream community might be the next great place people want to call home!

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