Games promote team building, cooperation, and friendly competition. Active games also promote the BSA aim of personal fitness.
Do you have a game that you would like to share? Contact me and I’ll share it here.
Secret Codes
Having a secret code can be fun. There are several simple methods of coding communication so that only those who know the "secret" know what is being said.
First Aid Baseball Game for Scouts BSA and Webelos
First aid baseball is a fun way to review first aid skills with Scouts BSA and Webelos. There are instructions for the game and a set of question cards included in the printable file.
Forces of Flight Game
The Forces of Flight game would make a fun addition to a pack meeting for the Soaring the Skies Cub Scout theme. Use this game when the Cub Scouts have been sitting for too long and need to get up and move around.
Rules for Ringer (A Marbles Game)
When you think of kids playing marbles, you are probably picturing Ringer in your mind - a circle on the ground and kids shooting at the marbles within.
Flip the Bird Tag
Flip the Bird tag is an active game which is a combination of tag and keep away. In it, a players work together to keep their friends from being tagged.
Elbow Balloon Pass Game
This game is all about cooperation. Talk afterwards about what made it easier to pass the balloon and what made it harder.
Sleeping Pirate Game
This month I am featuring the Cultural Awareness Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA. The meeting plan for week two suggests playing Sleeping Pirate as a opening activity while the Scouts are gathering. This works well for this purpose since it doesn't require much equipment and additional Scouts can join in as they arrive.
Kims Game with Items for a Home First Aid Kit
Kim’s game is a traditional Scouting game which was introduced by Sir Robert Baden-Powell. It is based on a game describe by Rudyard Kipling. This version of the game helps Scouts learn what should be in a home first aid kit.
Sleeping Guard Game
Sleeping Guard is a fun game for a den. The object of the game is for the Scouts to be quiet enough to sneak up on a blindfolded guard and steal an object. Perfect for a bunch of noisy Cub Scouts!
Steal the Bacon
Here is another game for a large group of Scouts. This is fun for all age levels - from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA to Venturers. Your older Scouts might try to employ some strategy when playing this game.
I Can Do That With One Hand Tied Behind My Back Game
The goal of this game is for two Scouts to work together to make a simple lunch. The challenge is that they each have one hand tied behind their back.
Human Knot Game
This is an icebreaker in which a group must work together to "untie" themselves from a knot. This is a cooperative rather than competitive game.
What’s In the Bag Game
What's In the Bag is a simple guessing game which can be adjusted for any meeting theme. Use it at a den meeting or a pack meeting.
Christmas Games: Stocking Surprise
Stocking Surprise is an easy game for your Christmas themed meeting or party. It works with almost any age group. When choosing items for the "stocking", think of all of the senses. Include something with a scent, or something which makes noise. Include it in your Christmas games this year.
Show Me the Truth Game
Let's be honest. Some of the Cub Scout requirements which are all talking can be tough to do with a group of restless boys. Sometimes when I am looking at a requirement and I see the words Character Connection, my first instinct is to sigh. But then I take a deep breath and remember that playing a game can make it fun.
Cub Scout Nutrition Game – Food Pyramid Go Fish Game
This is basically a go fish game with different types of food. I liked how the kids talked about the different types of food they saw on the cards.
Making a Plaster Print Mold
Plaster of Paris is messy, which means Scouts will enjoy it. You can use this versatile medium to make plaster molds and casts. This technique can be used to make shoe prints or tire track casts or fossil casts.
Picaria – A Native American Game
Picaria is a Native American board game. It is like a cross between tic-tac-toe and checkers. It could be used with Tiger, Wolf, or Bear electives or with a group working on the Indian Lore merit badge.
Spud Game
Here is a game which works well for a group of 8 to 10 Scouts. This goes with my Classic Outdoor Games theme for this month. I'm sure many of us played this as children. Playing games helps Cub Scouts run off energy. learn to cooperate, and understand sportsmanship.
Caterpillar Race Game
Here is a fun game for Cub Scouts. They will have to work together to match their movements, so it teaches them teamwork and coordination.
Use the Force Star Wars Game
The idea of this game is for each player to "use the force" to keep a balloon on a pool noodle light saber.
Hubbub – A Native American Dice Game
This is a traditional Native American game. The scoring systems seem to vary from one reference to another, so the system below is a simplified system which scouts should be able to follow.
Hail Storm Game
This game doesn’t take much space, so it can be played indoors. If you think ahead and take the materials to camp with you, you can even play it under a fly on a rainy day.
Guide Me Game for Webelos, Scouts BSA, and Venturers
This game makes a fun break in a meeting. It is appropriate for Webelos, Scouts BSA, or Venturers. The will have to work together to accomplish their goal.
Citizenship Football Game
The purpose of the game is to reinforce the ideas which are discussed in the Webelos Citizen activity badge.
Tell It Like It Isn’t Game
Every now and then people will contact me with a question about how I did this requirement or that. One question I have received a few times is "What are the rules for Tell It Like It Isn't for Tiger Achievement 4?" The instructions can be found in the Tiger handbook, but I think sometimes as den leaders we look at something and think it must be more complicated. Tell It Like It Isn't is the game most of us know as Telephone. Yes, it really is that simple.
My Story Mystery Game
The My Story Mystery Game is a great way to get to know some "history" about a group of individuals. It makes a great icebreaker. It can also serve as an introduction to a discussion about oral history and storytelling.
Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is a great game for a large group. Our Scouts BSA Troop plays it often as an interpatrol activity during meetings. Cub Scouts can play it also. We had a joint Pack/Troop flag retirement ceremony at a local park in the spring. When the ceremony was over, the Scouts BSA organized a game of capture the flag, putting some Cub Scouts on each team. They used most of the park as their play area. It was legendary. 🙂
Red Light Green Light
When working with Cub Scouts, remember KISMIF - Keep It Simple. Make It Fun. Sometimes we come up with elaborite or complicated plans when our young Scouts would really be just as happy with something simple. Red Light Green Light is a great example of this. It is simple and requires no preparation or materials. My Cub Scouts always enjoy these "classic" playground games.
Dock Your Flying Saucer Game
The idea of this game is to put the flying saucer (a Frisbee) in its space dock (a box). This is a good game for indoors or out.
Pahsahëman – A Native American Field Game
Pahsahëman is similar to football. It has been played by the Lenape of the American Northeast for many generations. These instructions include tips for adapting this game for use with scouts.
Halloween Bingo Cards
If you are looking for a fun gathering activity for a den meeting or pack meeting around Halloween time, try these Halloween Picture Bingo Cards.
Crossing the Alligator Pit Game
This is a very challenging game which combines lashing skills and teamwork. It would work well for an interpatrol activity at a meeting focused on pioneering skills.
Jack Rabbit Posing Game
Our Crew president led this jack rabbit posing game at our last meeting. It is a fun game for teenagers, but would work for other age groups also. The idea of this game is to remember different poses and to strike the correct pose quickly.
State Capitals Bingo Cards
One theme for teaching citizenship is the Fifty Great States theme. State capitals bingo would be a fun game or gathering activity to go with this theme. You can play this game with states or capitals on the bingo cards or the call cards. You can choose which combination of bingo cards and call cards you would like to use.
Faith and Our Ancestors Game
The Faith and Our Ancestors Game is an icebreaker activity with a genealogy twist. Players ask each other questions about how they think their ancestors lived.
Chicken on a Hut Game
This game makes a fun break in a meeting. It is a favorite with our Venture Crew. Because of the physical contact with the partners, when playing this game with our coed Crew, boys are partners with boys and girls are partners with girls.
Light the Candle Game for Cub Scouts
This is a simple game which works in well with a holiday themed meeting. It only requires a few materials and not much preparation, which makes it ideal in my mind. And it works indoors.
Bobbing for Worms Halloween Party Game
Looking for a last minute Halloween game idea? Here is a really easy which is fun for the players and spectators alike. And it is good for all ages. Our Crew played this at their costume party last year.
Island Tug of War Game
Island tug-of-war is an adaptation of traditional tug of war which not only requires strength but also agility and balance. This game is appropriate for all ages from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA to Venturers.
Soccer Tennis
When my den meetings were immediately after school, I often did a physical activity during the gathering time. The Scouts needed to run around and burn off a little energy before they were ready to concentrate on the den activities.
Kick the Can
Kick the can is a classic game which combines tag and hide and go seek. This is a great wide area game for a large group. Use it as an activity at a pack campout or to add some physical activity to a pack meeting.
Clothesline Relay Game
In this relay, the Scouts are doing the laundry. They hang out towels on a clothesline and then bring them back in.
Shoot The Gap Game
This game is suggested as an interpatrol activity for one of the meeting plans in the Public Service troop program feature. This game would also work as a team building game or ice breaker, since the participants must know the names of the other players. So I think this could also be worked into a Crew program.
Sharks and Minnows
Here is a game to go with an aquatic theme. It can be used at your pack pool party or at a meeting focused on swimming skills.
Halloween Craft, Snack, and Game Ideas
Craft, game, and snack ideas for your Halloween party or meeting. While some work best for younger kids, others are also appropriate for the older Scouts.
Scout Law Game
Learning the Scout Law will be more enjoyable with a Scout Law game. This game helps Scouts learn all twelve points of the law in order.
Soccer Drill – Soccer Croquet
This month I am featuring a soccer theme for Cub Scouts. A soccer drill can make a fun gathering activity or an end of the meeting game for a soccer themed meeting. This drill emphasizes teamwork, dribbling skills, and passing accuracy.
Won’t You Smile Game
Won't You Smile is a team-building or icebreaker game suitable for Venturers or Scouts BSA.
Snapper Fishing Game
This is a traditional Scout game which might date back to Baden-Powell himself. It practices Scoutcraft (lashings) as well as cooperation and problem solving.
Pirate Pick Up Game
Ahoy there me hearties! Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. So in honor of the occasion, I have a pirate game.
Soccer Marbles
If you are having a soccer or sports themed meeting, a soccer drill can be a fun way to burn of some energy. Soccer marbles is a three person soccer drill. It is simple enough for young Scouts.
Hospital Tag
In this game, players pretend they are wounded and go to the hospital to get fixed up.
Nitro Transport Game
This is an initiative game. Its purpose is to get a group to work together to solve a problem. This should build teamwork and cooperation in the group.
Tug of War Rules
Tug of War is a fun game which can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Have a little tug of war tournament with your Scouts to encourage fitness, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.
Orienteering Scavenger Hunt
This game requires some setup, but it is a fun way to introduce Webelos and Scouts BSA to orienteering. You can just set up one course and have them all do it together, or you can set up two or three courses and split them into groups. The courses don’t have to be long. Three points make a fine course. If you have different teams, use different colors of paper to designate which clues are for which teams.
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