Build teamwork, trust and problem-solving skills with fun Scout games and challenges designed to get groups working together and communicating effectively.
Activity Overview Can your team use grid references to find the hidden checkpoints? 👦 Age: 8–18👥 Group size: 4–30⏱️ Duration: 45–60 minutes📍 Location: Outdoors⭐ Difficulty: 3/5 Grab a map, split into teams and get ready to explore. In this navigation activity, teams must use grid references to find a series of hidden checkpoints around an…
Activity Overview Can your team build a stable star-shaped campfire? 👦 Age: 8–18👥 Group size: 4–24⏱️ Duration: 45–60 minutes📍 Location: Outdoors⭐ Difficulty: 3/5 A good campfire doesn’t happen by accident. Before you strike a match or create a spark, you need to think about the location, fuel, airflow, structure and safety around the fire. In…
Activity Overview Can you spot the hazards before they cause a problem? 👦 Age: 8–18👥 Group size: 4–30⏱️ Duration: 45–60 minutes📍 Location: Indoors or outdoors⭐ Difficulty: 2/5 Imagine you’ve just arrived at a campsite. Everything looks fine at first, but there could be hazards hiding in plain sight. A loose guyline, a bag left on…
Activity Overview Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 15–30 minutesGroup size: 6-20Best for: Beavers, Cubs, ScoutsSkills: Communication, teamwork, listening, problem-solving, concentration The Silent Line-Up Challenge is a simple teamwork game where the group must arrange themselves in a particular order without speaking. The leader chooses the rule for the line-up, such as height, birthday month or first name alphabetically….
Activity Overview Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 20–30 minutesGroup size: 6-20Best for: Squirrels, Beavers, CubsSkills: Communication, confidence, teamwork, observation, creativity Survival Charades is a simple team game where young people act out outdoor and survival activities without speaking while their teammates try to guess what they are doing. It needs no equipment and can be adapted for different…
Activity Overview Difficulty: Moderate–AdvancedTime: 60–120 minutesLocation: Campsites, activity fields and suitable outdoor training areasBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and experienced Cubs with appropriate supervisionSkills: Pioneering, design, knots, lashings, problem-solving, teamwork, planning and leadership Pioneering design challenges give Scouts a problem to solve rather than a structure to copy. Instead of providing step-by-step instructions, give…
Activity Overview Difficulty: Moderate–AdvancedTime: 60–180 minutesLocation: Campsites, activity fields and suitable outdoor training areasBest for: Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and experienced Cubs with appropriate supervisionSkills: Pioneering, knots, lashings, teamwork, planning, problem-solving, communication and leadership Pioneering competitions challenge patrols to use knots, lashings, poles and teamwork to complete a practical task against a time limit or…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Use fictional scenarios, role-play or appropriately trained simulated patients rather than creating real injuries. Explorers should only practise first aid techniques they have been taught by a suitably qualified instructor. Don’t ask young people to perform procedures beyond their training. For a real emergency, follow current first-aid guidance, contact the emergency services…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Shelter-building activities should take place in a suitable, supervised area following an appropriate risk assessment. Check for unstable trees and branches, steep ground, water hazards and other environmental risks before starting. Never encourage Explorers to climb trees, construct unstable structures or deliberately expose themselves to severe weather. Follow landowner requirements and leave…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Fire activities should only take place with appropriate adult supervision, suitable facilities, permission and a completed risk assessment. Follow your organisation’s current fire-safety guidance and any restrictions applying to the site. Keep suitable extinguishing equipment immediately available and never leave a fire unattended. The objective of advanced fire lighting is better judgement…
