The Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure offers young Lion Cub Scouts a fun and interactive way to delve into basic STEM concepts, particularly focusing on construction and the principles of design and resilience. This adventure provides Lions with a hands-on approach to learning, where they can engage directly with building and experimenting with structures alongside their peers and family members.
Throughout this adventure, Lions are encouraged to think creatively and work collaboratively, which are key skills in both STEM and everyday life. By building structures, they not only grasp the basics of architectural design but also learn the importance of planning and teamwork. This activity is designed to foster curiosity and problem-solving abilities, encouraging Lions to think about why and how things stand up and what makes them fall down.
The adventure also emphasizes resilience, both in the structures they build and in the Cubs themselves. Lions experience the process of creating something thoughtfully, testing it, and seeing it fall down, which teaches them that failure is a part of learning and growth. This is a valuable life lesson in persistence and adaptability.
Overall, the Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure is not just about building structures but also about building character. Lions develop a foundation of STEM skills, teamwork, and the resilience needed to face challenges. This makes it an essential part of the Lion Cub Scout program, helping young scouts to grow in confidence and capabilities.
Requirements for the Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure
Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure Requirements
- With your Lion adult partner, build a structure.
- With your den or family, build a structure.
- Build something that is designed to be knocked down.
Printable requirements for the Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure
Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure
Resources for the Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure
Teamwork Towers
With your Lion adult partner, build a structure.
The first requirement of the Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure involves Lions working closely with their adult partners to build a structure. This activity is designed to introduce young Cub Scouts to the basics of construction and engineering while strengthening bonds through teamwork.
This task allows Lions and their adult partners to explore different building materials such as blocks, Lego, or even recycled items. The goal is to understand what makes a structure stable and to appreciate the role of creativity and planning in building.
- Use Various Materials: Try building structures with different materials like cardboard, cups, sticks, or small boxes. This variety challenges Lions to think about how different materials can be used effectively.
- Theme-Based Building: Set a theme for the building project, such as creating the tallest tower, a model bridge, or a fantasy castle. Themes can spark imagination and make the building process more fun.
- Incorporate Challenges: Introduce small challenges like using the least number of blocks to build a stable structure or creating something that can hold a small weight. Challenges can encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Share and Reflect: After building, have Lions explain their structure to the group. Discuss what worked well and what could be improved. This reflection helps Lions learn from the experience and think about how they can apply these lessons in future projects.
Here are some options for Lion Build It Up Knock It Down requirement 1:
- Building Block House
- Use LEGO building blocks to build a house.
- Supplies: LEGOs – enough for each Lion
- Indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
- Cardboard Skyscraper
- Lions work with their adult partners to build a shoe box skyscraper.
- Supplies: Cardboard boxes, flat cardboard, plastic cup, markers, craft glue
- Indoor, moderate energy, 3 to 5 days prep
- Gingerbread House
- Cub Scouts work with their adult partner to make a gingerbread house.
- Supplies: Gingerbread house kits, handwashing station, soap, paper towels
- Indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
By building a structure with their adult partners, Lions gain hands-on experience with basic engineering principles, enjoy a shared activity that fosters teamwork, and develop a sense of accomplishment from seeing their ideas take shape.
Community Creations
With your den or family, build a structure.
The second requirement of the Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure asks Lions to build a structure with their den or family. This task helps teach teamwork and communication while they engage in a fun building activity.
Building a structure as a group provides a great opportunity for Lions to learn from each other and to see how different ideas can come together to create something unique. It also emphasizes the importance of each member’s contribution to a collective project.
- Collaborative Mega Structure: Have each Lion start by building a small part of a bigger structure. Then, combine all the parts to create a mega structure. This shows how individual efforts contribute to a larger goal.
- Building Relay: Organize a relay where each family or den member adds one part to the structure in turns. This can be timed to add excitement and challenge their quick thinking and decision-making skills.
- Material Mix-up: Give each team a mix of different building materials like straws, marshmallows, sticks, and clay. Challenge them to use these varied materials to construct a stable structure. This encourages creativity and problem-solving.
- Theme Construction: Choose a theme such as wildlife, outer space, or a medieval castle, and have each team build a structure that fits the theme. This adds a layer of creativity and allows for a wide range of ideas and expressions.
Here are some options for Lion Build It Up Knock It Down requirement 2:
- Cup Pyramid
- Take turns to build a cup pyramid.
- Supplies: 105 cups
- Indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
- Pillow and Blanket Fort
- Build a pillow and blanket fort.
- Supplies: pillows, cushions, blankets, chairs, heavy books, string
- Indoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep
- We Built This City Out of Card and Board
- The den will work together to make a cardboard city.
- Supplies: Assorted boxes, craft glue, magic markers, scissors, tape, construction paper, small strips of paper, pencil
- Indoor, low energy, 3 to 5 days prep
These activities not only make the building process engaging and educational but also strengthen the sense of community and cooperation among the Cubs. By working together to build a structure, Lions develop key social skills and learn the value of teamwork.
Fun with Falling
Build something that is designed to be knocked down.
The third requirement of the Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure challenges Lions to create a structure that is specifically designed to be knocked down. This activity is not only fun but also teaches Lions about the physics of structures and the concept of planned demolition.
Building something to knock down helps Lions understand the principles of balance and the impact of forces on structures. It’s a playful way to learn about cause and effect, and it emphasizes the fun of construction and destruction as a learning process.
- Domino Rally: Set up dominos in a pattern that, when one is tipped, they all fall down sequentially. Lions can get creative with the path and shapes they make.
- Card Towers: Build a tower or a house of cards that’s meant to be knocked down with a gentle breeze from a fan or a soft ball. This teaches precision and gentle handling.
- Jenga-style Stack: Use blocks or homemade wooden pieces to build a tower that can be taken apart piece by piece until it topples. This can be a fun competitive activity to see who can make the most daring move.
- Sand Castles: If you have access to a sandbox, building and then knocking down sand castles can be a great outdoor activity. This provides a tactile experience with different textures.
Here are some options for Lion Build It Up Knock It Down requirement 3:
- Blow My House Down
- Using paper blocks build a house to see if it can hold up to the wind.
- Supplies: Lion handbook, scissors, scotch tape, electric fan
- Indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
- Build It Up and Knock It Down Relay
- Play a relay race to build it up and knock it down.
- Supplies: table, 12 cups
- Indoor, very high energy, 1 to 3 days prep
- Down Goes the Dominoes
- Build a domino maze designed to be knocked down.
- Supplies: dominoes
- Indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
These activities engage Lions in hands-on learning while allowing them to playfully explore construction concepts. Building something with the intention of knocking it down not only adds an element of excitement but also deepens their understanding of how different materials and shapes respond to forces, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Before any activity, check the SAFE Checklist to make sure everyone is safe. Everyone involved in Scouting America activities should know the Guide to Safe Scouting and other relevant guides or books. Also follow any state or local rules that are more strict than Scouting America rules and guidelines.
Before doing a craft activity, watch the Craft Tips video (2 minutes 34 seconds).
Before starting this Adventure:
- Review the Food Allergies safety moment.
- Check each Cub Scout’s Annual Health and Medical Record for any food allergies or restrictions.
- Ask if anyone in the den has religious or cultural dietary concerns.
- If someone has an EpiPen for severe allergies, make sure at least one other adult knows how to use it. Review the Safety Moment on anaphylaxis to learn more.
- Review the Keep Your Food Safe guide to learn how to keep, store, and prepare food properly.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure
What is the Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure?
It’s a fun activity where Lion Cub Scouts build different kinds of structures and learn about construction and demolition.
Why do we build something to knock it down?
It helps Lions understand how things are built and what makes them strong or weak. It’s also fun to see how structures fall.
Can we use any materials for building?
Yes, you can use blocks, Lego, cards, or even recycled materials like boxes and bottles.
What should we learn from this Build It Up Knock It Down adventure?
Lions learn about teamwork, planning, and the basics of building. They also see how forces like pushing or pulling can knock things down.
Is there a specific way to build the structures?
No specific way is required. Be creative and try different methods and shapes.
Building Blocks of Learning
The Lion Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure offers Lion Cub Scouts a playful yet educational experience. Through this adventure, Lions engage in building various structures with their adult partners, den, and family members. The first part of the adventure encourages cooperation and understanding as Lions work alongside a trusted adult to create a structure. This activity fosters teamwork and creativity, as they explore different building materials and methods.
In the next phase of the Build It Up Knock It Down adventure, Lions expand their collaborative skills by constructing with their peers or family. This group activity reinforces the importance of communication and collective effort in achieving a common goal. Each participant brings their own ideas and solutions, enhancing the learning experience.
Finally, Lions build something specifically designed to be knocked down. This fun and dynamic task teaches them about the forces that affect structures and the concept of planned demolition. It’s an exciting way to learn about stability, balance, and the impacts of physical forces, all wrapped up in an engaging, hands-on activity.
Overall, the Build It Up Knock It Down Adventure combines learning with fun, providing Lions with valuable lessons in physics, engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving. It encourages curiosity and resilience, as they see that rebuilding can be just as enjoyable as building.
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