Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure
Adventure Type: Hands-on, STEM, Water Safety
Number of Requirements: 4
Typical Time to Complete: 1–2 meetings (60–90 minutes each)
Parent Involvement: Moderate, supervision and help with building
Preparation Needed: Gather materials, water container, life jackets
Activity Level: Low to moderate, some active play
Indoor or Outdoor: Both, outdoor preferred for water activities
Special Requirements: Access to water, life jackets for fitting
Supplies Snapshot: Tub or container, water, assorted objects, recycled materials, paper, tape, life jackets
The Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure gives Tiger Cub Scouts a simple way to learn about water and boats. Tigers explore what floats and what sinks. They also learn about different types of boats and how they are used.
This adventure uses hands-on activities to keep Tigers engaged. They test objects in water and make guesses about what will happen. These activities help them build basic science skills in a fun way.
Tigers also build their own small boats using simple materials. Then they test them in water. This helps them learn by doing and encourages them to keep trying when things don’t work at first.
Requirements for the Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure
Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure Requirements
- Identify five different types of boats.
- Identify five things that float and five things that do not float.
- Build or create a model boat and float it on the water. This can be made from recycled materials or other items.
- Show that you can put on and fasten a life jacket correctly and learn when it is safe to enter a boat.
Printable requirements for the Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure
Check off sheet to keep track of your den's progress on the Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure
Printable checkoff sheet for the Tiger Badge (for den or individual use)
Download this Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure HandoutResources for the Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure
Requirement 1: Identify Five Different Types Of Boats
Identify five different types of boats.
Keep this hands-on and visual. Young Scouts do better when they can see or touch something. Use pictures, toys, or real examples if possible. Focus on basic types like canoe, kayak, sailboat, rowboat, and motorboat. Don’t worry about details. Just help them recognize and name them.
Easy Option:
Lay out toy boats or printed pictures and have Tigers name each one as a group. See Model Boats.
Here are some more options:
- Color the Boats: Color the boats in the Tiger handbook.
- Visit a Marina: See real boats by visiting a marina.
Requirement 2: Identify Things That Float And Sink
Identify five things that float and five things that do not float.
Turn this into a simple experiment. Let Scouts make guesses first, then test in water. Keep the items familiar so they can relate. This works best in small groups so everyone gets a turn. Have a towel ready and keep it quick and active.
Easy Option:
Use a tub of water and test 10 items from around the room like a rock, spoon, sponge, and toy. See Floating or Sinking?
Other options:
- Nature Walk Collection: Take a walk outside and collect different natural items like leaves, sticks, stones, and flowers. Back in your meeting place, test which items float and which sink in a bucket of water. This activity connects Tigers with nature and teaches them about the properties of different natural materials.
Requirement 3: Build And Float A Model Boat
Build or create a model boat and float it on the water. This can be made from recycled materials or other items.
This is the fun part, so keep it simple. Avoid overcomplicating the design. Give a few materials and let them create. The goal is to build something that floats, not something perfect. Test the boats right away so they can see results.
Easy Option:
Make a simple paper boat and float it in a tub or small pool. See Paper Boat.
Here are some options for fulfilling Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure requirement 3:
- Crafty Boat: Make a model boat from recycled and craft supplies.
- See some ideas for a Recycled Raingutter Regatta here.
- Raingutter Regatta Floating Boat
Requirement 4: Life Jacket And Boat Safety
Show that you can put on and fasten a life jacket correctly and learn when it is safe to enter a boat.
Focus on doing, not just talking. Show them how to put on a life jacket, then let them practice. Check the fit and explain when they need to wear one. Keep safety rules short and clear. Repetition helps at this age.
Easy Option:
Have each Scout put on a life jacket and do a quick “tug test” to check the fit. See Proper Fit – Proper Safety.
More ideas:
- Life Jacket Relay: Once Cub Scouts learn how to proper fit a life jacket conduct a relay race.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure
What kinds of boats should we learn about for the Floats and Boats adventure?
Learn about simple boats like sailboats, canoes, kayaks, motorboats, and rowboats.
How do we find out which things float and which do not?
Try floating various small items in a bucket of water. See which ones stay up and which ones sink.
What materials can we use to build our model boats for the Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure?
Use recycled materials like plastic bottles, cardboard, and foam pieces.
Where can we float our model boats?
You can float them in a bathtub, a pool, or a small pond.
What should we do if our boat sinks?
Check if the boat is too heavy or unbalanced. Try making it lighter or adjusting its shape.
Can parents help build the boat for the Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure?
Yes, parents should help, especially with cutting materials or using glue.
How can we make sure our boats are safe to float?
Make sure the materials are securely attached and the boat has no sharp edges.
What do we learn from the Floats and Boats adventure?
You learn about boat types, what makes things float, and how to build and test a model boat.
Buoyant Builders
The Tiger Floats and Boats Adventure is an engaging and educational journey that teaches Tiger Cub Scouts about boats and buoyancy. It starts with the Tigers identifying different types of boats, enhancing their understanding of each boat’s design and use. This activity helps them appreciate the diversity in boat construction and purpose.
Next, the adventure explores the concepts of floating and sinking. Tigers experiment with various objects to learn why some things float and others sink. This hands-on experiment is crucial for understanding basic physical principles and encourages curiosity about how things work.
The most exciting part of the Floats and Boats adventure is building a model boat from recycled materials. Tigers apply their creativity and newly acquired knowledge of buoyancy to construct boats that they can test on water. This activity not only promotes environmental consciousness through the use of recyclable materials but also enhances problem-solving skills as Tigers make their boats seaworthy.
This adventure offers a blend of learning, fun, and practical application. It’s an ideal way for Tiger Cub Scouts to explore science, work on craft projects, and develop a deeper connection with the natural world.
Leave a Reply