Lion King of the Jungle Den Meeting Plan

Helping others and being a good citizen are important lessons for young Cub Scouts. This Lion King of the Jungle den meeting teaches these ideas in a fun and hands-on way. Lions will learn about their role in their family and community through simple activities. They will see how small actions, like helping at home or making a card for someone, can make a big difference.

This den meeting plan keeps things active and engaging. Lions will start with a creative drawing activity, then play a fun guessing game about chores. They will also prepare to talk with an older adult about citizenship. A service project will give them a chance to help others in a meaningful way. To top it off, they will work together to make their own snack, reinforcing the idea of teamwork.

Young Scouts learn best when they are having fun. This King of the Jungle den meeting will keep them moving, thinking, and working together. By the end, they will have a better understanding of what it means to be helpful and kind. They will leave with new skills, great memories, and a sense of pride in what they have done.

Total Time: 60 Minutes

Gathering Activity: Family Portrait (10 minutes)
As Lions arrive, they will draw a picture of the people they live with. This helps them think about their family and recognize their importance.

Helping Hands at Home Activity (10 minutes)
Lions will learn how they can help their families by doing a simple chore.

Learning Citizenship from Elders (10 minutes)
Lions will prepare to talk with an older adult about citizenship.

Service Project: Greeting Cards for Seniors (15 minutes)
Lions will complete a service project by making greeting cards for a nursing home or veterans’ center.

Snack: Helping Hands Trail Mix (10 minutes)
Lions will work together to make their own simple sandwiches, reinforcing cooperation.

Connecting to the Scout Law (5 minutes)
Gather the Lions and briefly review what they learned.

Materials Needed for the Den Meeting

• Paper, crayons, and markers for drawing
• Construction paper, stickers, and markers for greeting cards
• Mini rolls or bread slices for snack
• Cheese, deli meat, spreads (butter, jam, or cream cheese)
• Plastic knives and napkins for snack
• Boxes or bags to collect finished greeting cards for delivery
• Slips of paper with ideas for Helper Charades
• Lions Can Help Too take-home worksheet

Leader Preparation Before the Den Meeting

• Gather all materials and supplies
• Print copies of the take-home worksheet for helping at home
• Arrange a place to deliver the greeting cards, such as a nursing home or veterans’ center
• If using a role-play adult for the citizenship discussion, confirm their participation
• Set up tables for drawing, card-making, and snack preparation

Parent Involvement and Supplies They Can Provide

• Ask parents to help provide snack ingredients (bread, cheese, spreads)
• Request extra crayons, markers, or stickers for card-making
• Encourage parents to help their Lions complete the take-home assignment
• Remind parents to assist during the den meeting, especially for snack time and the service project

Having everything ready in advance will help the den meeting run smoothly and keep Lions engaged.

This activity will take about ten minutes and is a great way to start the den meeting. As Lions arrive, they will draw a picture of the people they live with. This helps them think about their family and the people who care for them. It also gives them a quiet, focused task while everyone gets settled.

Make sure you have plenty of paper, crayons, and markers for the group. If you want to add more creativity, bring stickers or glue sticks and magazines for a collage option. Some Lions may finish quickly, so encourage them to add extra details, like pets or favorite activities they do with their family.

As they draw, talk to them about their families. Ask simple questions like, “Who are you drawing?” or “What do you like to do with your family?” If they feel comfortable, they can share something special about their picture with the group. This helps them connect with each other and feel proud of their work.

If a Lion struggles with drawing, remind them that their picture does not have to be perfect. It is about showing who is important to them. Some Lions may prefer to describe their family instead of drawing, and that is okay too. The goal is to get them thinking about their family and how they are part of a team at home.

Lions Can Help Too

This activity will take about ten minutes. Lions will learn how they can help at home by doing a simple chore. They will see that small jobs make a big difference. Helping at home is an important part of being a good citizen.

Start with a short discussion. Ask the Lions how they help at home. If they are not sure, give examples like setting the table, picking up toys, or feeding a pet. Let them share their ideas. Remind them that even small jobs can be helpful.

Next, play a fun game of helper charades. Each Lion will act out a household chore while the others guess what it is. Some easy ideas are sweeping, washing dishes, or folding clothes. See a list of printable ideas here. Keep the game moving so everyone gets a turn.

Before moving on, give each Lion this simple Lions Can Help Too take-home worksheet. It has a checklist of chores they can do. They will pick one job to complete at home and mark it when they finish. This helps them remember what they learned and gives them a way to practice being helpful.

Wisdom from Our Elders

This activity will take about ten minutes. Lions will learn about citizenship by preparing to talk with an older adult. They will think about what it means to be a good citizen and how they can learn from others.

Start with a simple discussion. Ask the Lions what they think a good citizen does. They may say things like helping others, following rules, or being kind. If they are not sure, give examples like picking up trash, helping a neighbor, or being respectful. Let them share their ideas.

Next, do a fun role-play. Pretend to be a grandparent or older adult. Let the Lions take turns asking you simple questions about citizenship. If they need help, suggest questions like “What does being a good citizen mean to you?” or “How did you help others when you were younger?” Keep the answers short and easy to understand.

At the end, give them a take-home assignment. They will talk to a real grandparent or older adult at home. After the conversation, they will draw a picture or write a sentence about what they learned. This helps them practice talking to elders and understand different ideas about citizenship.

Spreading Smiles with Handmade Cards

This activity will take about fifteen minutes. Lions will make greeting cards for seniors or veterans. This is a simple way to show kindness and make someone’s day better. It also helps Lions learn that small actions can have a big impact.

Start by talking about why cards can make people happy. Explain that some seniors may not get many visitors. A colorful card with a friendly message can bring them joy. If you are making cards for veterans, talk about how these heroes have served our country and deserve our thanks.

Give each Lion a piece of construction paper and markers. Encourage them to draw pictures and write short messages like “Have a Great Day!” or “We Appreciate You!” Stickers and other decorations can make the cards even more special. Remind them that neat work and bright colors will help make the cards look cheerful. Parents should help write the messages.

If time allows, take a group picture with the finished cards before sending them. This helps the Lions feel proud of their work. When the cards are delivered, share with the Lions how much their kindness was appreciated. This will help them see the value of helping others.

This activity will take about ten minutes. Lions will make their own mini sandwiches. This gives them a chance to work with their hands and make choices. It also shows them that working together in the kitchen is another way to help at home.

Set up a simple sandwich-making station. Place mini rolls or slices of bread on a plate. Offer a few fillings like cheese, deli meat, butter, jam, or cream cheese. Use plastic knives for spreading. Give each Lion a napkin for their sandwich.

Let the Lions build their own sandwich. Some may need help spreading the ingredients. Encourage them to ask a friend or their adult partner for help. Remind them that helping in the kitchen is just like helping with other chores at home.

As they eat, talk about ways they can help in the kitchen at home. They can set the table, stir ingredients, or clean up. Simple tasks make a big difference. This snack is a fun way to practice working together and helping out.

This closing will take about five minutes. It is a chance to bring everything together and remind Lions what they learned. Gather everyone in a circle so they can listen and share. Keep it simple and fun.

Talk about the Scout Law and how it connects to the den meeting. Focus on being helpful and kind. Ask Lions how they were helpful today. Remind them that they helped by drawing pictures of their families, learning about chores, and making cards for others. These small actions make a big difference.

Now, ask each Lion to share one way they will help at home or in the community. If they are unsure, give them ideas, like helping a sibling, cleaning up after playtime, or saying thank you to someone. Keep the answers quick so everyone gets a turn.

End with a fun cheer. Have everyone stand tall like strong lions. Say, “Lions Roar for Service!” and have them give their best lion roar. They can cup their hands like lion paws and pretend to swipe the air as they roar. This gives them a fun way to celebrate their hard work before heading home.

Lion King of the Jungle Adventure

The Lion King of the Jungle Adventure helps young Cub Scouts learn about citizenship in a fun way. Lions will explore what it means to be part of a family and a community. They will see how small actions, like helping at home or talking to an older adult, can make a big difference. By learning about responsibility and kindness, they start to understand how they can help others.

This adventure also encourages Lions to give back to their community. They will participate in a service project to help those in need. They will see how working together makes tasks easier and more meaningful. Talking with older adults will help them learn about citizenship from a different perspective. Through these activities, Lions will gain a sense of pride and learn the importance of being helpful, respectful, and caring toward others.

See more resources for the Lion King of the Jungle adventure here and here.

How long should this King of the Jungle den meeting last?

This den meeting should take about 60 minutes. Each activity is planned to keep Lions engaged while covering all the requirements.

What if a Lion does not want to draw their family?

That’s okay. Some children may prefer to describe their family instead of drawing. You can ask them to tell you about their family or use stickers and magazine pictures to make a collage instead.

What if some Lions already do chores at home?

That’s great! Ask them to share what they already do. They can still play the helper charades game and pick a new chore from the take-home worksheet to try at home.

What kind of service project works best for this den meeting?

Making greeting cards for seniors or veterans is a simple and meaningful project. It is easy for Lions to do, and it helps them understand the joy of giving. If you have another simple service project in mind, you can use that instead.

What supplies do I need for the snack?

For the make-your-own mini sandwiches, you will need small rolls or bread, cheese, deli meat, spreads like butter or jam, plastic knives, and napkins. Make sure each Lion can easily put together their own snack.

What if a Lion does not want to share during the closing?

Some Lions may be shy. Encourage them gently, but don’t force them to speak. They can nod or give a simple answer like “help my mom” or “clean up toys.” The goal is to help them think about being helpful, not to make them uncomfortable.

What if we run out of time?

If time is short, you can send the chore checklist home instead of doing the helper charades game. You can also move the discussion part of the closing to snack time. The most important thing is to keep the den meeting fun and engaging.

How do I deliver the greeting cards to seniors or veterans?

Check with a local nursing home, senior center, or veterans’ organization ahead of time. Many places are happy to receive homemade cards. You can drop them off yourself or arrange for a small group to deliver them later.

This King of the Jungle den meeting gives Lions a fun way to learn about helping others. They will see how small actions, like doing a chore or making a card, can make a big difference. These simple lessons help them understand what it means to be a good citizen.

The activities in this den meeting keep Lions engaged and active. They will draw, play, create, and work together. They will also practice sharing and thinking about others. By the end of the den meeting, they will feel proud of what they have done.

As a den leader, your job is to guide them and make sure they have fun while learning. Keep things simple and positive. If something doesn’t go exactly as planned, that’s okay. The most important thing is that Lions feel excited about helping at home and in their community.

This adventure helps Lions build good habits that will stay with them as they grow. They will start to see that even the smallest Scout can make a big impact. And they will leave the King of the Jungle den meeting with new skills, great memories, and maybe even a mighty lion roar!