What’s In the Bag Game

What’s in the Bag is a fun and simple game for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA. It works well at den meetings, pack meetings, or troop gatherings. The game helps scouts practice thinking skills and observation. It also fits many different themes by changing the word and objects used.

This game is a good gathering activity or an extra challenge at the end of a meeting. It keeps scouts engaged while waiting for others to arrive. It can also be a team activity, encouraging scouts to work together and share ideas. Leaders can adjust the difficulty by choosing easier or harder objects.

The game also supports learning in a hands-on way. Scouts use their senses to guess what is in each bag. They must focus and think about what they feel and hear. This builds attention to detail, which is useful in Scouting skills like first aid and outdoor awareness.

What’s in the Bag can be used for different themes. For a space theme, use the word “SPACE” and include items like a star sticker or a small rocket toy. For an outdoor theme, use the word “NATURE” and place items like a leaf or a small rock. The game is easy to customize, making it a great choice for many meetings.

What’s in the Bag helps Scouts build thinking skills. They must use their sense of touch and hearing to figure out what is inside each bag. This encourages careful observation and problem-solving. Scouts learn to focus on small details, just like when they track animals or identify plants on a hike.

This game also teaches patience and fairness. Scouts must take turns feeling the bags and making their guesses. This connects to the Scout Law points of “Courteous” and “Kind.” They learn to wait for their turn and respect others’ guesses, even if they think differently.

It also encourages creativity. Some items might be easy to guess, but others require imagination. Scouts may come up with funny or unexpected answers, which adds to the fun. Thinking in different ways is useful in many scouting activities, from planning campfire programs to solving problems on outdoor adventures.

This game works best for Cub Scouts and younger Scouts BSA members. Lions and Tigers might need help writing their guesses, but they will enjoy feeling the bags. Older Cubs can work in teams to encourage teamwork. For Scouts BSA, use harder objects or let them create their own mystery bags for others to guess.

Leaders can also use this game to teach about nature, first aid, or history. For example, a first aid version could have bandages, gauze, and a small flashlight in the bags. A history version could include items from different time periods, like a toy soldier or a feather pen.

What’s in the Bag is simple, but it teaches useful skills. Scouts learn to observe, think, and work together. It fits many different themes, so it can be used all year long. Plus, it’s a great way to keep scouts busy while waiting for a meeting to start or wind down.

Materials Needed

• Paper bags (one for each letter in the chosen word or phrase)
• Tape or staples
• Small objects (one for each bag, starting with the letter on the bag)
• Index cards or sheets of paper (one per Scout)
• Pencils

Setup Instructions

1. Choose a word or phrase related to your meeting theme (such as “BE PREPARED” or “NATURE”).
2. Write one letter from the word or phrase on each bag.
3. Find small objects that start with each letter and place one inside each bag.
4. Seal the bags using tape or staples so Scouts cannot peek inside.
5. Line up the bags in order to spell out the chosen word or phrase.

Game Play Instructions

1. Give each Scout an index card or sheet of paper and a pencil.
2. Have them write the chosen word or phrase vertically on the paper, leaving space next to each letter.
3. Let Scouts take turns feeling and shaking the bags without looking inside.
4. After exploring the bags, they write down their guesses next to the matching letter.
5. Once everyone has finished guessing, open each bag and reveal the objects.
6. Scouts count how many they guessed correctly.

Variations

• Team Version: Have Scouts work in pairs or small groups to encourage teamwork.
• Themed Versions: Choose words and objects related to nature, space, first aid, or another scouting topic.
• Harder Challenge: For older Scouts, use trickier objects or have them create their own mystery bags.

Safety Notes

• Avoid small objects that could be choking hazards for younger Scouts.
• Make sure Scouts do not shake bags too hard to avoid damaging fragile objects inside.
• Encourage fair play and remind Scouts to take turns and share.

Printable instructions for the What’s in the Bag? game

More Games

What’s in the Bag is a fun and easy game for Scout meetings. It helps Scouts build thinking skills, teamwork, and patience. This game works well for different age groups and themes. You can change the word and objects to match your meeting’s focus. It’s a great way to keep Scouts engaged while learning something new.

Looking for more games? I have a collection of games for Scouts on my website. Whether you need a gathering activity, an outdoor challenge, or a teamwork game, you’ll find something useful. Check out my list of games here: Games for Scouts.

The Importance of Games in Scouting

Video for What’s in the Bag? Game

What age group is this What’s in the Bag game best for?

This game works well for Cub Scouts and younger Scouts BSA members. Lions and Tigers may need help writing their guesses. Older Cubs can play in teams. Scouts BSA can use harder objects or create their own mystery bags.

How long does the What’s in the Bag game take?

It usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you have a large group, it may take longer. You can adjust the time by using fewer bags or setting a time limit for guesses.

Can I use this What’s in the Bag game for different themes?

Yes! You can change the word and objects to match your meeting theme. For example, for a nature theme, use the word “LEAF” and include a leaf, acorn, or pinecone.

What if a Scout peeks inside a bag?

Remind Scouts to use only their hands and ears. If someone looks inside, they can still guess but won’t earn points for that bag.

How do I make it harder for older Scouts?

Use more challenging objects, like small tools or unusual items. You can also have Scouts work in pairs and explain their guesses before writing them down.

What’s in the Bag is a fun guessing game that works well at Scout meetings. Scouts use their sense of touch and hearing to figure out what is inside sealed bags. The game encourages observation, thinking skills, and teamwork. It is a great way to keep Scouts engaged while waiting for a meeting to start or as a closing activity.

The game is simple to set up. Leaders choose a word or phrase and write one letter on each bag. Inside each bag, they place an object that starts with that letter. Scouts shake, feel, and guess what is inside without looking. After writing down their answers, the leader reveals the objects.

This game can be adjusted for different ages. Younger Scouts may need help writing their guesses, while older Scouts can have harder objects to identify. It also works for different themes by changing the word and objects inside the bags.

Leaders can use this game to teach skills. A nature version can have items like leaves and pinecones. A first aid version can include bandages and gauze. The game encourages Scouts to think carefully and pay attention to small details, which are useful skills for many Scouting activities.