Exciting Entertainment Ideas for Brownies, Girlguiding, and Scout Events

Hosting Brownie, Girlguiding, and Scout events provides an opportunity to offer young participants a chance to connect, learn, and grow through engaging activities. Planning entertaining and educational events can be a fulfilling experience, as these activities foster teamwork, creativity, and a sense of adventure.

In this article, we’ll delve into a variety of innovative and captivating entertainment ideas for Brownies, Girlguiding, and Scout events. From interactive games to campfires, wilderness survival to silent disco parties, these activities offer a diverse range of experiences that will ignite imaginations and create cherished memories for all participants

1. Campfire Sing-Alongs:

• Gather around a campfire and sing some classic campfire songs. The warm glow of the fire and the camaraderie of singing together create memorable moments that foster a sense of belonging and togetherness. Encourage everyone to join in, regardless of their singing abilities, and create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
• Example: “Kumbaya,” “This Land Is Your Land,” or “Make New Friends” are timeless campfire songs that resonate with the spirit of friendship and adventure.
  
  

2. Outdoor Adventure Challenges:

• Organise treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, or nature walks in local parks or wooded areas. These activities encourage exploration, teamwork, and appreciation for the natural world. Provide participants with maps, clues, or guidebooks to enhance the sense of adventure and discovery. Consider incorporating educational elements by including information about local flora, fauna, or historical landmarks along the route.
• Example: Create a scavenger hunt list including items like pinecones, feathers, and different types of leaves. Encourage participants to work together to find and collect each item while learning about the environment around them.
  
  

3. Crafting Workshops:

• Set up crafting stations where Brownies and Scouts can create their own badges, bracelets, or nature-inspired artwork. Crafting promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and self-expression. Provide a variety of materials such as beads, yarn, fabric, and natural objects like twigs or stones to inspire their creativity. Encourage children to personalise their creations and share the stories behind them.
• Example: Teach them how to make friendship bracelets using colourful threads or create badges inspired by the local flora and fauna. Provide templates, stencils, or examples to guide their designs and offer assistance as needed.

4. Interactive Storytelling:

• Invite a storyteller to captivate the children’s imaginations with tales of adventure and friendship. Storytelling fosters imagination, empathy, and a love for storytelling traditions. Choose stories with themes relevant to scouting values such as teamwork, courage, and respect for nature. Encourage audience participation by asking questions, acting out scenes, or allowing children to contribute their own ideas to the story.
• Example: Narrate stories about legendary Scout or Brownie adventures, or tales of bravery and teamwork. Use props, costumes, or visual aids to enhance the storytelling experience and make it more engaging for the audience.

5. Outdoor Games and Sports:

• Organise relay races, tug-of-war, or football matches to encourage teamwork and physical activity. Outdoor games promote healthy competition, cooperation, and physical fitness. Provide a variety of games suitable for different skill levels and interests, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and have fun. Emphasise sportsmanship and fair play, and celebrate everyone’s efforts and achievements.
• Example: Set up an obstacle course featuring challenges like crawling under ropes, balancing on beams, and climbing walls. Divide participants into teams and time each team as they navigate through the course. Award prizes for the fastest team, as well as for creativity and teamwork.
  
  

6. Cooking and Baking Activities:

• Teach the children basic cooking skills by preparing simple snacks or desserts together. Cooking activities foster independence, creativity, and an appreciation for good food. Choose recipes that are easy to follow and allow for personalisation and experimentation. Encourage children to try new ingredients and flavours, and emphasise the importance of safety and hygiene in the kitchen.
• Example: Make crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, or bake cookies in the shape of Scout symbols. Provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations, and allow children to take turns measuring, mixing, and baking.

7. Educational Workshops:

• Invite local experts to give talks or workshops on topics like environmental conservation, first aid, or wilderness survival skills. Educational workshops inspire curiosity, learning, and a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Choose speakers who are knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about their subject matter, and encourage interactive participation through demonstrations, hands-on activities, or Q&A sessions.
• Example: Learn about local wildlife and habitats, or how to identify different types of plants and trees. Take participants on a guided nature walk to observe and learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystems in their local area.
  
  

8. Talent Show or Skit Performances:

• Encourage the children to showcase their talents by organising a talent show or by performing skits related to scouting or guiding. Performing arts activities build confidence, creativity, and teamwork. Provide opportunities for children to rehearse, collaborate, and support each other throughout the process. Celebrate everyone’s unique talents and contributions, and create a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
• Example: Perform a humorous skit about the adventures of Scout leaders trying to navigate through a forest. Encourage children to write their own scripts, create costumes and props, and rehearse their performances together.

9. Campfire Cooking Competitions:

• Challenge the children to prepare and cook meals over a campfire, with prizes for the most creative or delicious dishes. Cooking competitions encourage innovation, teamwork, and culinary skills. Provide a variety of ingredients and cooking equipment, and allow participants to plan and prepare their dishes according to their own tastes and preferences. Emphasise safety and hygiene practices, and provide adult supervision as needed.
• Example: Have a competition to see who can cook the best foil-wrapped dinners using ingredients like vegetables, sausage, and potatoes. Encourage participants to experiment with different flavour combinations and cooking techniques, and allow them to present their dishes creatively for judging.
  
  

10. Service Projects:

• Organise activities that allow the children to give back to their community, such as cleaning up local parks, car washes or volunteering at a food bank. Service projects instill empathy, compassion, and a sense of civic responsibility. Choose projects that are meaningful, impactful, and age-appropriate, and provide guidance and support to help children understand the importance of their contributions.
• Example: Plant trees or flowers in a community garden, or host a fundraiser for a charitable cause. Involve children in planning and organising the project, and encourage them to reflect on the positive impact they are making on their community.

11. Nature Photography Expedition:

• Equip the children with digital cameras or smartphones and encourage them to explore their surroundings, capturing photos of interesting plants, animals, or landscapes. Photography expeditions promote observation skills, creativity, and an appreciation for nature’s beauty. Provide guidance on basic photography techniques such as composition, lighting, and framing, and encourage children to experiment and express their unique perspectives through their photos.
• Example: Organise a photography scavenger hunt, where participants must snap pictures of specific natural elements, such as a bird in flight or a blooming flower. Provide a list of photo prompts and challenges to inspire creativity and exploration, and allow children to share and discuss their photos with each other.
  
  

12. Outdoor Movie Night:

• Set up a projector and screen in a safe outdoor area and host a movie night under the stars, featuring family-friendly films with themes of adventure, friendship, or outdoor exploration. Outdoor movie nights create magical experiences and foster a sense of community. Choose movies that are age-appropriate, entertaining, and relevant to the interests and experiences of the participants. Provide cosy blankets or seating options for everyone to enjoy. Combine the outdoor cinema with silent disco headphones for a creative and immersive way to enjoy the film.
• Example: Screen classic movies like “The Goonies,” “Swiss Family Robinson,” or “The Parent Trap” for a night of cinematic fun. Create a festive atmosphere with popcorn, snacks, and drinks, and encourage children to dress up as their favourite movie characters for added fun and excitement.
  
  

13. DIY Outdoor Science Experiments:

• Conduct simple science experiments outdoors, exploring topics like water conservation, plant growth, or weather patterns. Outdoor science experiments foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for experimentation. Choose experiments that are safe, easy to set up, and relevant to the natural environment, and encourage children to observe, question, and explore the world around them.
• Example: Create homemade rain gauges to measure rainfall, or construct solar-powered ovens to cook delicious treats using sunlight. Explain the scientific principles behind each experiment, and encourage children to make predictions, record their observations, and draw conclusions based on their findings.

14. Wilderness Survival Skills Workshop:

• Teach essential survival skills such as building shelters, starting fires without matches, and identifying edible plants. Wilderness survival workshops build confidence, self-reliance, and practical outdoor skills. Provide hands-on demonstrations and opportunities for children to practice and master each skill in a safe and controlled environment, and emphasise the importance of preparedness, resourcefulness, and respect for nature.
• Example: Demonstrate how to construct emergency shelters using natural materials found in the wilderness, and practice fire-building techniques under supervision. Teach children how to identify common edible plants and berries, and how to safely forage for food in the wild.
  
  

15. Environmental Art Installation:

• Encourage children to create temporary art installations using natural materials found in the environment, such as leaves, branches, rocks, and flowers. Environmental art projects promote creativity, environmental awareness, and a connection to nature. Provide opportunities for children to explore and collect natural materials, and encourage them to experiment with different techniques and forms of expression to create their own unique artworks.
• Example: Build a nature-inspired sculpture garden or create intricate mandalas using colourful pebbles and flower petals. Collaborate with local artists or environmentalists to design and plan the art installation, and involve children in every step of the process from concept development to installation and exhibition.

16. Outdoor Yoga or Tai Chi Sessions:

• Lead relaxing outdoor yoga or Tai Chi sessions to promote mindfulness, relaxation, and connection with nature. Outdoor yoga sessions enhance physical and mental well-being while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural environment. Choose gentle, accessible yoga poses or Tai Chi movements suitable for all ages and fitness levels, and provide opportunities for children to connect with their breath, body, and surroundings.
• Example: Practice sun salutations or gentle Tai Chi movements amidst the tranquil beauty of a natural setting. Encourage children to close their eyes, listen to the sounds of nature, and feel the warmth of the sun on their skin as they move and stretch their bodies in harmony with the rhythm of the earth.

17. Geocaching Adventures:

• Organise geocaching excursions, where participants use GPS devices or smartphone apps to search for hidden containers or “caches” in outdoor locations. Geocaching adventures combine technology, navigation skills, and outdoor exploration. Choose geocaches that are suitable for children and families, and provide clues, coordinates, or hints to help participants locate each cache.
• Example: Create a series of geocaches containing Scout-themed treasures or clues leading to the next location in a scavenger hunt. Hide geocaches in interesting and scenic locations such as parks, trails, or landmarks, and encourage children to document their discoveries and share their experiences with others.
  
  

18. Stargazing and Astronomy Nights:

• Set up telescopes or binoculars for stargazing sessions, and teach children about stars, constellations, and planets. Stargazing activities foster curiosity, wonder, and a deeper understanding of the universe. Choose a clear, dark location away from city lights, and provide opportunities for children to observe and identify different stars, planets, and celestial events.
• Example: Host a meteor shower viewing party or identify prominent stars and constellations using stargazing apps or sky charts. Share fascinating facts and stories about the stars and planets, and encourage children to ask questions and share their own observations and experiences.
  
  

19. Silent Disco Party:

• Spice up the party atmosphere by renting silent disco equipment, allowing participants to dance and sing to their favourite tunes through wireless party headphones. Silent discos provide a unique and interactive entertainment experience, perfect for halls and outdoor gatherings. Choose a variety of music genres and playlists to suit different tastes and preferences, and provide opportunities for children to request their favourite songs and dance together in a fun and festive atmosphere.
• Example: Create themed playlists featuring upbeat songs or classic hits, and let the children dance away without disturbing the natural surroundings. Set up colourful lights, decorations, and dance floors to enhance the disco atmosphere, and encourage children to express themselves through movement and music in a safe and inclusive environment.
  
  

Creating memorable events for Brownies, Girlguiding, and Scout parties doesn’t have to be daunting. By incorporating a mix of engaging, hands-on activities, and educational experiences, you can craft events that resonate with children and foster their personal growth.

Whether you focus on outdoor adventures, interactive storytelling, or unique experiences like silent discos, these ideas offer something special for every child. Take this opportunity to inspire young minds, strengthen bonds, and create unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years to come!