Won’t You Smile Game

The Won’t You Smile Game works well at Cub Scout and Scouts BSA meetings. It helps everyone relax and laugh together. I like using it when the group needs a break from more serious activities. It brings the Scouts together in a friendly way.

This game also fits well into team building. Scouts learn to focus, listen, and respond. They also learn to keep a straight face, which adds a fun challenge. It is a good way to help shy Scouts take part without pressure.

You do not need any supplies for this game. That makes it easy to use at den meetings, troop meetings, and campouts. Leaders can pull it out when they have a few minutes left and need something simple that still helps with group bonding.

Won’t You Smile gives Scouts a chance to practice self-control. It encourages them to interact with each other in a light and kind way. I have found that it helps the group feel closer. It also creates a happy tone for the rest of the meeting.

The Won’t You Smile Game has been around for a long time. Many groups have used it in youth programs, camps, and classrooms. It shows up in different places because it is easy to learn and works with all ages. The game keeps the focus on simple human connection. A smile can say a lot, and Scouts quickly understand that.

Some versions of the game appear in old camp traditions. Counselors used it to help campers feel welcome on the first day. The gentle humor made it easier for kids to meet each other. Scouting units later picked it up because it needed no supplies and helped groups bond. Leaders liked that anyone could take a turn without feeling overwhelmed.

The structure of the game also connects to older social customs. Many cultures have used short, rehearsed lines to guide social interactions. These lines help people feel safe. The clear script in this game gives the same kind of comfort. Scouts know exactly what to say, so they can focus on staying calm and not smiling.

Over time, the game spread through troops, packs, and summer camps. Adults remembered it from their own childhoods and taught it to new Scouts. The pattern continued, and the game became a familiar part of many gatherings. Its simple format helps it last from one generation to the next.

Some leaders use it as a warm-up for skits or ceremonies. It gets everyone in a good mood without much effort. Because the rules are light and the tone stays friendly, the game makes a nice break during long meetings. It reminds Scouts that fun can come from the smallest things.

The Won’t You Smile Game teaches Scouts how to stay calm under pressure. Holding a straight face seems simple, but it takes focus. Scouts learn to control their reactions while still taking part. This small skill helps in many other situations. It supports the idea of being brave and staying steady when things feel challenging.

The game also helps Scouts become friendlier with each other. They sit face to face and use the same words every time. This makes it easier for shy youth to join in. It reflects the Scout Law by encouraging kindness. No one is teased or embarrassed. The goal is to laugh together, not at each other.

Youth leadership grows through this game. When a young leader explains the rules and keeps things moving, the whole group feels involved. This shows how capable youth leaders can be. They understand what their peers enjoy. They make choices that keep the group active and happy. Adults often learn that letting youth lead creates better results.

This game works well for many ages. Cub Scouts enjoy simple, silly gestures. They can keep rounds short so no one gets restless. Scouts BSA members like the challenge of keeping a serious face. Venturers can add more strategy or take faster turns. The game shifts easily as the group grows.

Some units add small changes. Older Scouts might limit the time for each attempt. Younger Scouts might go around the circle in order so no one is left out. These small tweaks help leaders use the game in a way that fits their group. No matter the age, the goal stays the same. Everyone learns to stay calm, be kind, and enjoy a moment of shared fun.

Materials

• None

Setup

1. Have everyone sit in a circle.
2. Leave enough room in the center for one person to sit or kneel.
3. Explain the script so everyone knows the exact lines.
4. Remind the group that the goal is to have fun and stay kind.

How To Play

1. Choose one person to be It. That person sits in the center of the circle.
2. It picks someone in the circle, sits in front of them, and says the person’s name.
3. It then says, “If you love me, won’t you please, please smile.”
4. The chosen person must answer, “You know I love you, but I just can’t smile.”
5. If the person smiles or laughs, they become the new It.
6. If they stay serious, the current It tries again with someone else.
7. Keep playing until everyone has had a turn or the group is ready to stop.

Notes

• It may make funny faces or small gestures.
• Only the spoken lines should stay the same each round.
• For younger Scouts, keep turns short so no one gets restless.
• For older Scouts, add a time limit or allow creative but safe gestures.
• Make sure the space is clear so no one trips while moving around the circle.

Printable instructions for the Won’t You Smile game

More Games

The Won’t You Smile Game is a simple way to bring Scouts together, and it often gets everyone laughing. If you want more ideas like this, I keep a full list of other games on my site. I use that page to gather activities that work in dens, troops, and crews. These games help leaders fill meeting time, build teamwork, and give Scouts a chance to relax. I like having many options ready so I can match the game to the group and the moment.

You can find active games, quiet games, and team challenges on that page. Many of them work with different ages, just like the Won’t You Smile Game. I add suggestions that need little or no equipment, so they are easy to use at meetings or campouts. If you are planning for your unit, I invite you to look at the full list here and pick a few new favorites.

Who Am I?: Who Am I? is a teambuilding game were players are given an identity, but they don’t know what it is? Everyone else does know. So they ask each other questions to try to figure out who they are.

Jack Rabbit: This is another favorite teambuilding 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.

Video Explanation of Game

The Importance of Games in Scouting

What ages can play this game?

Most ages can enjoy this game. Cub Scouts understand the simple script and enjoy trying not to smile. Scouts BSA members like the challenge of keeping a straight face. Venturers can add small twists if they want more difficulty. It works best for ages 7 and up.

How long does one round take?

A round is usually very short. It often lasts only a few minutes. It depends on how quickly someone smiles. You can play several rounds in one meeting.

Do I need any materials?

No materials are needed. You only need enough space for the group to sit in a circle with room in the center.

Can the person who is It try anything they want?

They may use silly faces or small gestures, but they should stay seated and keep it safe. They must also use the required line each time.

Can this game help with team building?

Yes. Scouts learn to stay calm, listen, and interact kindly. The script helps shy Scouts take part without pressure.

Is this game good for large groups?

Yes. Larger groups work well because there are more chances to smile. Just be sure everyone can see and hear the person in the center.

Are there variations for older Scouts?

Older Scouts can add a time limit for each attempt or allow quick rotations. They can also move faster between players to keep the challenge high.

How should I choose who starts as It?

You can pick someone at random, choose a volunteer, or go in age order. Any method works as long as it feels fair to the group.

The Won’t You Smile Game brings Scouts together in a light and friendly way. One Scout sits in the center and tries to get someone to smile by using a simple line. The other Scout must answer with the set reply and keep a straight face. This quiet tension creates the fun. Everyone waits to see who cracks first.

The game teaches focus and patience. Scouts learn to control their reactions while still joining in. It also helps them practice kindness. No one is teased, and everyone gets a turn. The shared script keeps the mood even and fair.

This activity also supports youth leadership. Young leaders enjoy explaining the rules and keeping the rounds moving. They understand what their peers enjoy, and this helps the whole group stay engaged. The game works well with Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturers, and no supplies are needed.