Tiger Circles Den Meeting Plan

The Tiger Circles Adventure helps young Cub Scouts learn about family traditions, respect, and kindness. This adventure gives them a chance to explore the special holidays and customs that shape their families. It also teaches them how to show reverence in different ways and encourages them to spread kindness in their community.

At this Tiger Circles den meeting, Tigers will have fun sharing their family traditions and learning about others. They will also discover how different people express reverence, whether through faith, nature, or special ceremonies. The meeting is designed to be interactive and engaging, so the Scouts stay involved while learning important values.

Kindness is a big part of this adventure. Tigers will practice being kind by making and sharing special compliment cards. This simple activity helps them understand that small gestures can brighten someone’s day. Along the way, they will also enjoy a snack and reflect on what they have learned.

This Tiger Circles den meeting plan makes learning about reverence and kindness fun and memorable. It combines creativity, movement, and discussion to keep Tigers interested. By the end of the meeting, they will have a better understanding of their own traditions and a greater respect for the diversity of others. Plus, they will leave with a smile, knowing they have spread a little kindness in the world.

Gathering Activity: Faith Tradition Matching Game (10 minutes)

• Lay out pictures or symbols of different holidays and traditions (Christmas tree, menorah, Diya lamp, prayer rug, etc.).
• Tigers work together to match each symbol with its holiday or tradition.
• Leaders guide discussion, asking questions like “Does your family celebrate any of these?” or “What special traditions do you have?”
• This activity encourages curiosity and discussion while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Exploring Family Faith Traditions: Holiday Sharing & Drawing (10 minutes)

• Begin by asking, “What holidays or special days does your family celebrate?”
• Tigers take turns sharing one holiday or tradition that is important to their family.
• After sharing, they draw a picture of their favorite celebration.
• Encourage them to add details, such as food, decorations, or family activities.
• Afterward, have a few Tigers share their drawings with the group.

Understanding Reverence: Respect & Reverence Charades (10 minutes)

• Explain that reverence means showing respect for faith, traditions, people, and even nature.
• Play “Respect & Reverence Charades”:
  • Each Tiger draws a card with an action (praying, bowing, listening quietly, placing a hand on the heart, lighting a candle, caring for nature, etc.).
  • They act it out silently while the group guesses.
  • After each round, discuss how the action shows respect or reverence.
• If attending a religious service is not done as a den, send home a worksheet for families to complete this requirement together.

Spreading Kindness: Compliment Cards Coloring Activity (10 minutes)

• Introduction: Discuss the importance of kindness and how it relates to reverence.
• Activity:
  • Provide each Tiger with printable Compliment Cards Coloring Pages.
  • Tigers color and decorate the cards, each featuring a different compliment or kind message.
  • After coloring, they cut out the cards along the dotted lines.
• Sharing: Encourage Tigers to think about who they will give their compliment cards to—family members, teachers, friends, or community helpers. They can choose to hand them directly or leave them as surprises.
• Discussion: Talk about how giving these cards can brighten someone’s day and the positive impact of small acts of kindness.

Snack Break (10 minutes)

• Offer a snack that connects to a holiday or faith tradition (cookies, fruit, or a simple homemade treat).
• While eating, discuss how food is part of many traditions and celebrations.
• Ask Tigers: “What is your favorite food for a special occasion?”

Closing and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Gather the Tigers in a circle.
• Ask:
  • “What did you learn today about family traditions?”
  • “How can we show kindness and respect every day?”
• Tie in with the Scout Law:
  • Reverent – Respecting different traditions.
  • Kind – Showing kindness through words and actions.
• End with a simple closing statement or prayer (optional), thanking everyone for sharing.
• Remind families about any take-home worksheets (if used).

Total time: 1 hour

Materials Needed:

• Faith Tradition Matching Game
  • Pictures or symbols of different holidays and traditions (printed or drawn)
  • Index cards or labels for matching game
  • Table or flat surface to set up the game
• Holiday Sharing & Drawing
  • Blank paper
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• Respect & Reverence Charades
  • Pre-written charades cards with different respectful actions (e.g., praying, listening, helping)
  • Small basket or container to hold the cards
• Compliment Cards Coloring Activity
  • Printable Compliment Cards Coloring Pages
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
  • Scissors for cutting out the cards
• Snack Break
  • A simple snack that connects to a holiday or tradition (cookies, fruit, crackers, etc.)
  • Napkins or plates
  • Water or juice

Preparation Before the Meeting:

• Print or gather pictures for the Faith Tradition Matching Game.
• Prepare charades cards for the Respect & Reverence Charades game.
• Print out Compliment Cards Coloring Pages and bring enough for each Tiger.
• Choose a snack that is easy to serve and check for allergies.
• Set up a space for drawing and coloring activities.

Things to Ask Parents to Provide or Help With:

• Help bring a snack – Parents can provide a small treat related to a holiday or tradition.
• Provide scissors – Some parents might bring child-safe scissors if needed.
• Volunteer to help with activities – A few parents can assist with the matching game, charades, or snack setup.
• Encourage Tigers to complete take-home activities – If using a worksheet for attending a religious service, remind parents to help their Tiger complete it at home.

By preparing in advance and involving parents, this meeting will run smoothly and be fun for everyone!

For our gathering activity for the Tiger Circles den meeting, we will play a Faith Tradition Matching Game. This is a simple and fun way to help Tigers learn about different holidays and traditions. It will get them thinking about their own family traditions while also seeing how others celebrate in different ways. This activity helps build curiosity and respect for different cultures and beliefs. It will take about 10 minutes.

I will set up a table with different pictures or symbols that represent various holidays and traditions. The Tigers will work together to match each symbol with the correct holiday or tradition. After they finish, we will have a short discussion about what they learned.

1. Set up the table – Place pictures or small objects on the table. Each one should represent a different holiday or tradition. Use clear, simple images so Tigers can easily recognize them.
2. Explain the activity – Tell the Tigers that different families celebrate different holidays and traditions. Their job is to match each symbol with the correct holiday or tradition.
3. Let them work together – Encourage Tigers to talk and think as a team. They can take turns picking a symbol and guessing which holiday or tradition it belongs to.
4. Give hints if needed – If they are struggling, ask guiding questions like, “Have you seen this before?” or “What do you think this is used for?”
5. Review the matches – Once all symbols are matched, go over them together. Ask the Tigers if they celebrate any of these holidays. Let them share their own experiences.

Possible Symbols to Use

• Christmas tree – Christmas
• Menorah – Hanukkah
• Diya lamp – Diwali
• Prayer rug – Islamic prayer traditions
• Dreidel – Hanukkah
• Candle – Kwanzaa
• Crescent moon – Ramadan
• Cross – Easter or Christian traditions
• Lotus flower – Buddhism
• Star of David – Judaism
• Rice bowl – Lunar New Year
• Feather – Native American traditions

This activity is a great way to introduce the idea that families celebrate in different ways. It helps Tigers see that traditions can be different, but they often have common themes like family, faith, and togetherness. It also encourages them to share their own traditions and learn from each other. By the time we finish, they will be ready to explore their own family traditions in more detail.

My Favorite Holiday: Sharing and Drawing

This Tiger Circles activity helps Tigers think about their family’s special traditions. Every family has holidays or special days that are important to them. Some families celebrate religious holidays. Others have traditions that bring family and friends together in a special way. This activity lets Tigers share what makes their family traditions special. It also helps them see that different families celebrate in different ways.

Tigers will first talk about holidays and traditions with the group. They will share a favorite holiday or celebration from their family. Then, they will draw a picture of their favorite part of that holiday. This could be a family meal, decorations, a special event, or anything that makes the holiday special to them. After drawing, a few Tigers will share their artwork with the group. This activity will take about 10 minutes.

1. Start a discussion – Ask, “What holidays or special days does your family celebrate?” Let the Tigers take turns answering. Some might say Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, Diwali, Thanksgiving, or another holiday. Some may talk about birthdays or family reunions.
2. Encourage sharing – Ask follow-up questions like, “What do you like best about this holiday?” or “What special things do you do with your family?”
3. Give each Tiger paper and crayons – Tell them to draw a picture of their favorite holiday or tradition. Encourage them to include details like food, decorations, or activities they enjoy.
4. Let them color and add details – Walk around and ask questions about their drawings. This helps keep them engaged.
5. Invite a few Tigers to share – After drawing, ask for volunteers to show their artwork and explain their holiday. Make sure everyone feels included, even if they do not share out loud.

This Tiger Circles den meeting activity helps Tigers feel proud of their family’s traditions. It also helps them learn about different holidays and customs. By drawing their favorite celebration, they make a connection between family, faith, and tradition. It also encourages them to listen and respect others’ traditions. By the time we finish, they will have a better understanding of what makes their own family’s celebrations special and how others celebrate in different ways.

Act It Out: Showing Respect and Reverence

Reverence means showing respect. We can show respect for faith, traditions, people, and nature in many ways. Sometimes we pray or bow. Other times we listen quietly. We can also care for nature by picking up trash or planting trees. In this Tiger Circles den meeting activity, Tigers will play a fun game of charades to learn about different ways to show reverence.

In this game, each Tiger will act out an action that shows respect or reverence. They will do this silently while the rest of the group guesses what they are doing. After each turn, we will talk about how that action shows respect. This helps Tigers understand that reverence is more than just a word—it is something we do. This activity will take about 10 minutes.

1. Explain reverence – Tell the Tigers, “Reverence means showing respect. We can show respect for faith, traditions, people, and even nature. Today, we will learn about ways to show reverence by playing a game.”
2. Introduce the charades game – Explain that each Tiger will take a turn picking a card with an action on it. They will act it out without speaking, and the group will try to guess what it is.
3. Hand out a card – The first Tiger picks a card and reads it quietly. Some examples include praying, bowing, listening quietly, placing a hand on the heart, lighting a candle, picking up trash, giving a hug, sharing a kind word, holding a flag, standing in silence, helping someone, or planting a tree.
4. Act it out – The Tiger acts out the action while the group watches and tries to guess.
5. Discuss after each turn – Once the action is guessed, talk about how it shows respect. Ask, “When have you seen someone do this?” or “Why is this an important way to show reverence?”
6. Repeat until all Tigers have a turn – If time allows, let them go again with different actions.

Actions for the Charades Cards

• Praying
• Bowing
• Listening quietly
• Placing a hand on the heart
• Lighting a candle
• Picking up trash
• Giving a hug
• Sharing a kind word
• Holding a flag
• Standing in silence
• Helping someone
• Planting a tree

This game helps Tigers understand that respect and reverence are actions, not just ideas. They learn that different people show reverence in different ways. Some ways are quiet, like praying or listening. Others are active, like helping someone or taking care of nature. By the end of the game, Tigers will have a better understanding of what reverence means and how they can show it in their own lives.

Brighten Someone’s Day: Compliment Cards

Kindness is a big part of being a Scout. When we are kind, we make others feel happy and appreciated. Kindness can be as simple as saying a nice word, helping a friend, or sharing a smile. In this activity, Tigers will make Compliment Cards to spread kindness. These small cards have kind messages on them. Tigers will color and decorate them, then give them to someone special.

This Tiger Circles den meeting activity helps Tigers understand that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. A simple note can brighten someone’s day. Tigers can give their cards to family members, teachers, friends, or community helpers. They can also leave them as a surprise for someone to find. This activity will take about 10 minutes.

1. Talk about kindness – Ask the Tigers, “How do you feel when someone is kind to you?” Explain that kindness is a way to show respect and reverence for others.
2. Hand out the Compliment Cards Coloring Pages (link) – Each Tiger gets a sheet with different compliment cards. The cards have kind messages like “You are a great friend!” or “You make people smile!”
3. Color and decorate – Tigers use crayons, markers, and stickers to make the cards bright and cheerful. Encourage them to take their time and be creative.
4. Cut out the cards – Once the cards are decorated, Tigers cut them out along the dotted lines.
5. Decide who to give them to – Ask, “Who do you want to give your cards to?” Encourage Tigers to think about people who would appreciate a kind note, like a teacher, a neighbor, or a family member.
6. Talk about the power of kindness – After the activity, discuss how these cards can make people feel happy. Ask, “How would you feel if someone gave you a kind note?”

This Tiger Circles den meeting activity helps Tigers see that kindness does not have to be big to be meaningful. A few kind words can make someone’s day better. It also teaches them to think about others and show appreciation. When they leave the meeting, they will have their compliment cards ready to share, spreading kindness wherever they go.

Food is a big part of many family traditions. Special meals bring people together. Some families bake cookies for holidays. Others eat special foods for celebrations. Every culture has foods that are important to them. During our Tiger Circles den meeting snack break, Tigers will enjoy a simple treat while talking about how food connects to traditions.

As we eat, we will discuss how different families celebrate with food. Tigers will have a chance to share their favorite special occasion food. This is a fun way to help them see that food is more than just something we eat. It brings families and communities together. This activity will take about 10 minutes.

Ask the Tigers, “Does your family have a special food for holidays or celebrations?” Let them take turns sharing. If a Tiger is unsure, ask questions like, “What do you eat on your birthday?” or “Do you have a favorite holiday meal?”

Let the Tigers eat while they listen to each other’s stories.

Food is a big part of traditions all over the world. It helps people celebrate and spend time with family. Tigers will leave this snack break with a better understanding of how food connects people. They may even learn about new foods they want to try!

At the end of our Tiger Circles den meeting, we will gather in a circle for a short reflection. This is a chance for Tigers to think about what they learned. It helps them understand why family traditions, respect, and kindness are important. This is a quiet and thoughtful way to wrap up our time together.

We will start by asking a few simple questions. “What did you learn today about family traditions?” Tigers can share something new they heard or something special about their own family. Then, we will ask, “How can we show kindness and respect every day?” This helps them connect what they learned to their own lives.

Next, we will talk about the Scout Law. Today’s meeting focused on being Reverent and Kind. Reverent means respecting different traditions and beliefs. Kind means using words and actions to make the world better. We will remind Tigers that they can practice these values every day, not just at meetings.

A Thankful Goodbye

As we wrap up our Tiger Circles den meeting, I will take a moment to thank everyone for coming. The Tigers worked hard, shared their family traditions, and learned about kindness and respect. I want them to leave feeling proud of what they did today.

I will say a simple closing statement like, “Thank you all for being here today. You shared great stories about your families and showed kindness with your compliment cards. I hope you will keep thinking about the ways we can show respect and kindness every day.” If families are comfortable, we can also end with a short prayer or moment of quiet reflection.

Before we go, I will remind families about any take-home activities. If we are not attending a religious service together, I will mention the worksheet that helps Tigers complete that part of the adventure at home. I will also remind them to give their compliment cards to someone special.

Finally, I will let the Tigers know that I look forward to seeing them at our next meeting. I want them to leave excited about what’s coming next in their Scouting journey. This closing will take about 5 minutes and will send everyone home with a smile.

Tiger Circles Adventure

The Tiger Circles Adventure helps Tiger Cub Scouts connect with their family’s faith traditions and practice reverence. Scouts discuss their family’s beliefs, identify three significant holidays or celebrations, and draw a picture of their favorite one. They also attend a religious service or a family gathering that expresses reverence. Additionally, they perform an act of kindness, emphasizing compassion and service.

By participating in this adventure, Scouts gain a deeper understanding of their own family’s traditions and develop respect for the diverse expressions of faith in their community. This experience fosters reverence, kindness, and cultural awareness, guiding them throughout their Scouting journey and beyond. See more ideas here.

See more resources for the Tiger Circles adventure here.

How long will this Tiger Circles den meeting take?

The meeting will last about one hour.

Will I cover all the requirements in the Tiger Circles den meeting?

Yes, except for the religious service requirement. If the den is not attending one together, send a worksheet home for families to complete.

What if a Tiger does not have a family faith tradition?

That is okay! Focus on traditions that are important to their family. They can share any special celebrations or ways their family shows respect and kindness.

What kind of snack should I provide for the Tiger Circles den meeting?

Choose something simple, like cookies, fruit, or crackers. If possible, pick a snack that connects to a holiday or tradition. Check for allergies first.

What supplies do I need for the Tiger Circles den meeting?

You will need coloring supplies, paper, charades cards, printed compliment cards, scissors, and snack items. See the materials list for details.

How do I prepare for the Faith Tradition Matching Game?

Print or gather pictures of different holiday symbols. Write the names of the holidays on index cards. Set them up on a table for the Tigers to match.

What if a Tiger does not want to share during the discussion?

That is okay. Let them listen and participate in other ways. They may feel more comfortable sharing during the drawing activity instead.

Can I use different activities to meet the Tiger Circle requirements?

Yes! As long as the activities help Tigers explore family traditions, show reverence, and practice kindness, you can adapt them as needed.

What should I tell parents before the Tiger Circles den meeting?

Let parents know what the Tigers will be learning. Ask if they can help with supplies, snack, or setup. Remind them about any take-home worksheets.

How should I close the Tiger Circles den meeting?

Gather in a circle, ask reflection questions, and talk about how the activities connect to the Scout Law. End with a simple thank you or a short prayer.

This den meeting gives Tigers a chance to learn about family traditions, reverence, and kindness in a fun and engaging way. They will share stories about their own celebrations, discover how others show respect, and practice being kind to others. Through games, discussions, and creative activities, they will see that traditions and values bring people together.

The meeting also helps Tigers connect the Scout Law to their everyday lives. They will learn that being reverent means respecting different beliefs and traditions. They will understand that being kind is something they can do every day with small gestures, like sharing a compliment or helping someone. These lessons will stay with them as they continue their Scouting journey.

By the end of the meeting, Tigers will leave with smiles, artwork, compliment cards, and new ideas about respect and kindness. They may even go home excited to ask their families more about their own traditions. This adventure helps them see that every family is special, and that learning about others makes us all stronger.

With a little preparation and enthusiasm, this meeting will be both meaningful and fun. Tigers will enjoy the activities, and den leaders will have a great time guiding them. Best of all, the lessons of reverence and kindness will last far beyond this meeting!