My Cart: Activities for Girl Scouts - December
December is a wonderful time to reflect upon the troops activities and celebrate the winter session. This is also a great time to give to the less fortunate and bring comfort to those who need.
During December, your Girl Scout Troop might want to try some of the following activities:
- Activities for Daisy Girl Scouts
- Activities for Brownie Girl Scouts
- Activities for Junior Girl Scouts
- Activities for Girl Scouts ages 11 - 17
Daisy Girl Scout Song - Everyday (to the tune of "Camp Town Races")
Thank you God for all you do, Ale-luya
Thank you God for all you do, Every single day.
In the Kitchen
Mommy cooks our dinner
In the kitchen ev'ry day;
When I'm watching,
Mommy sometimes says I'm in the way
When I'm as old as Mommy
I will learn to cook and bake
Then when I feel like it
I'll bake my own cake
Daisy Girl Scout SWAP - Chenille Candy Cane
Supplies: red and white pipe cleaners, pin back, scissors, glue
Instructions: Cut the pipe cleaners to the size that you want the candy cane to be. Twist red and white pipe cleaners together and bend into a candy cane shape. Glue on pin back or hang a red ribbon on it.
Reindeer Pin
Supplies: mini flat slotted clothespins, 5 mm wiggle eyes,
pins, glue, scissors, gold cord/string, 1/4" red pompoms
Instructions: Turn clothespin upside down. Glue on eyes,
and pompom for nose. Tie small strip of gold cord around
one antler. Add pin to the back.
Daisy Girl Scout Craft - Peppermint Candy Frames
Supplies: red and green peppermint candies, jumbo craft sticks, tacky glue, card board, and a photograph or drawing to put in the picture, clear acrylic spray (optional)
Instructions: Glue four jumbo craft sticks together to form a square. Turn the picture so it is facing you. Glue peppermint candies all the way around the edge. You can leave the wrappers on or take them off. If you take the wrappers off spray several coats of clear acrylic paint over the candy and let dry between coats, this will keep the candy looking fresh and keep ants away. Glue a picture backed with card board on the back of the craft stick frame. Cut out a stand and glue it to the back. This will be great gift for a family member.
Handprint Banner
Supplies: white felt/old cloth, green and red paint, yarn, wooden dowel rods
Instructions: Have girls press their hands in the green paing and arrange their print on the fabric in a circle/wreath
shape. Let dry slightly, then use fingertips dipped in red paint to put berries at the tip of each finger on the wreath.
Let dry, then glue fabric to top of dowel rod. Tie yarn around rod ends to hang.
Daisy Girl Scout Activity - Secret Pals
Girls can earn their considerate and caring petal. Have each girl pick a name out of a hat and have them bring a special gift to the next meeting - something they've made (if you go with a purchased item, make sure you put a limit on the spending). Or even better - send the gift in the mail or drop it off on the front porch - girls love getting mail. Have each girl reveal herself at the next meeting.
Stretch
Instructions: Place two objects on the ground about 20 feet away from each other (depending on number of girls). Girls will make a solid line, holding hands, between the objects. They have to stretch farther and farther to reach the objects as the distance increases.
Daisy Girl Scout Ceremony - Nickname Ceremony
Supplies: large cut glitter (that will not get lost in a girl’s hair), name tag with nickname on it
Instructions: Assemble girls and adults in horseshoe and explain that it is now time to begin the "Nickname Ceremony". Then read the following poem:
I knew a little mystery girl, she was a friend of mine.
We knew each other from grade school, it’s been a long, long time.
She had lots of pins and badges, you see, she’d been everywhere;
They were on her sash and uniform, but one thing wasn’t there.
This thing is like a special gift, this is given by someone you know.
You can’t see it, touch it, taste or feel it, but you’ll have it forever more!
I asked her if she had one. She replied, “Can I buy it? What’s that?”
I told her if she had one, she’d say “Yes!” right off the bat.
So, my friend doesn’t have this special thing, that you will get today.
When she found she couldn’t buy one, she hung her head & walked away.
When you receive you gift today, hold it dear to your heart.
And remember how you got it, no matter if we’re far apart.
Each one was chosen carefully, to fit you in and out!
Now I have you wondering, just what is she talking about?
Well, here goes, let’s give the first one to a super Daisy Girl Scout!
Leader: Go stand in front of the first girl and hold your hand over her head. Sprinkle glitter slowly over her head and shoulders and say the following:
"By the power vested in my as leader of Troop ____, I hereby bestow the following name on (girl’s real name). On this day and forever more, you will be known as (nickname)." Pin name tag on girl’s shirt. Do this with each girl until finished.
Magic Tunnel
Girls line up at the door in pairs, joining hands and making an arch. Each pair goes through the arch to the door, starting with the pair farthest away. As the girls are leaving they sing "Good Night Girl Scouts."
Brownie Girl Scout Song - Thank You for the Food We Eat (to the tune of Michael Row the Boat Ashore)
Thank you for the food we eat, Hallelujah.
Thank you for the friends we meet, Hallelujah.
Thank you for the birds that sing, Hallelujah.
Thank you Lord for every thing, Hallelujah.
Little Snowflake
Oh, tiny little snowflake
So lightly floating by,
A long, long way you've traveled
To visit from the sky.
Come, rest upon my window;
You've journeyed very far.
You're such a pretty snowflake,
A silv'ry winter star!
Brownie Girl Scout SWAP - Felt Stockings
Supplies: red and green felt, cotton balls, glue, scissors, pin back, red or green ribbon, hole punch
Instructions: Cut tiny little stockings out of red or green felt. Glue bits of cotton on the top for trim. Make a hole with the hole punch and tie a small piece of ribbon though the corner of the stocking to hang. Glue on pin back or stick a safety pin through the ribbon. Add troop number or name.
Holiday Wreath
Supplies: safety pins, green pipe cleaner, translucent green beads, red star-shaped beads, red beads, scissors
Instructions: Cut pipe claner in half. Slide half through coil of pin to middle. On one side slide a red bead, then a red star bead. On the other side, slide a red star bead, then a red bead. Follow with two green beads, one red bead, two green beads, one red bead, and one green bead on each side. Bend into a wreath shape and twist the ends together.
Brownie Girl Scout Craft - Ice Cream Cone Holiday Tree Craft
Supplies: Sugar cones, green frosting or white and add green food coloring, small candy like red hots and tiny M&M’s, cake decorating toppings or sprinkles, and paper plates.
Instructions: Turn the cone upside down on a paper plate and cover the entire cone with green frosting. Decorate the tree with candy and toppings.
Snowman Gift Tag
Supplies: 2 1/2" by 5" paper tags, black/orange/pink markers, scissors, hole punch, 1 1/4" round slpit ring key tags, small strips fo holiday fabric
Instructions: Punch two holes at the bottom of the paper tags on each side. Use the black marker to color key tags and draw a wiggly outline around the body. Use the black marker for the eyes and mouth, orange for the nose, and pink for the cheeks. Attach the key rings through the holes for feet. Tie a fabric strip in a knot around the neck.
Brownie Girl Scout Activity - Caroling
Put together a caroling book of holiday songs (try to find some songs from other holidays celebrated in different countries) and go caroling around your community invite the girls families to join. Go to a nursing home or hospital and sing songs to cheer the patients and the elderly up for the holidays. Afterwards have cookies and hot chocolate to warm up.
People to People
Instructions: Girls are paired up randomly, leaving one girl as the "caller". The "caller" gives commands to the pairs,
which they must follow (example: knee to knee, back to back, etc). Keep matching until the "caller" says "people to
people." That's when everyone, including the "caller" has to find a new partner. The person left without a partner is
the new "caller".
Brownie Girl Scout Ceremony - Investiture Ceremony
Narrator should read the parts in bold, with girls acting out the other parts.
In Girl Scouting we have one Law with ten parts.
I will do my best to be honest and fair - Three girls enter with each holding a glass and one holding a bottle of opened pop. She pours a little into each glass making sure they are equal and says “Now let’s be as fair as we can about this”.
I will do my best to be friendly and helpful - A Brownie enters with a lop-sided cake and proudly announces that she helped her mother make this lovely cake. Next, the mother enters with flour all over her and her hair a mess and a general disheveled appearance.
I will do my best to be considerate and caring - Two girls appear in archway and take turns saying “You go first - No you go first” Repeat about four times then both crowd through archway together.
I will do my best to be courageous and strong - Two girls enter, one wielding a whip and a chair, like she is taming a lion, the other lifting a “heavy” object over her head (ballons on each eand of a gift wrap roll work well to look like a barbell).
I will do my best to be responsible for what I say and do - One or two girls enter carrying stuffed “pets”, pretending that they are real. They are feeding, watering, brushing and walking them. They also talk to them lovingly.
I will do my best to respect myself and others - Three girls enter, each holding a small hand mirror. Looking into the mirror, they say to themselves “I respect you, I respect you, I respect you”. They then turn to each other and repeat the same thing.
I will do my best to respect authority - Three girls and an older girl scout. The girls form a straight line. The older girl gives orders such as “About face” “Left face” “Right face”. Each girl turns in opposite direction for general confusion.
I will do my best to use resources wisely - One girl enters holding a recyling sign or trash bin.
I will do my best to make the world a better place - Some girls enter with pet rocks and potted plants. One shows others the new house she just made for her pet rock. Others talk to their plants, etc.
I will do my best to be a sister to every Girl Scout-Two girls enter wearing outfits with the sleeves and skirts sewn together. THe girls say in unison, "Some people say sisters argue, I’m sure this you’ve heard. But the thing that describes us best, you’ll find, inseparable is the word".
Everyone repeats the Girl Scout Promise and sings "Girl Scouts Together"
Daylight Taps
Thanks and praise for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, 'neath the sky
As we go, this we know: God is nigh.
Junior Girl Scout Song - God Our Father (to the tune of "Are You Sleeping")
God our father, God our father
With this bread, with this bread
We receive thy blessing, We receive thy blessing,
A-a-men, A-a-men.
God our father, God our father
Once again, once again
We receive thy blessing, We receive thy blessing,
A-a-men, A-a-men
He's Got the Whole World in his Hands
When singing this song and you sing "whole world" make a circle
with your hands starting at the top and bringing your hands
together with palms up and move up an inch or two.
He's got the whole world in his hands (4 times)
He's got the darling, darling Daises in his hands (3 times)
He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the itsy, bitsy Brownies in his hands (3 times)
He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the jazzy, jazzy Juniors in his hands (3 times)
He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the silly, silly Seniors in his hands (3 times)
He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the Loud Mouth Leaders (sing loud mouth leaders loud) in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands
He's got the whole world in his hands (4 times)
Junior Girl Scout SWAP - Holiday Tree
Supplies: green pipe cleaners, colored pom poms, plastic rhinestones or sequence, gold stars, glue, scissors, pin back.
Instructions: Bend green chenille stems (pipe cleaners) into a Christmas tree outline. Glue little poms or sequence on the points and a star on the top. Glue on pin back.
Beaded Snowflake Pin
Supplies: tinsel pipe cleaner, 8mm crystal beads, translucent beads, pin, glue, scissors
Instructions: Cut pipe cleaners in 3" pieces. Line up three pieces and slide a bead down to the middle of the three.
Bend the ends into a snowflake shape. On each end, alternate crystal and colored beads. Bend ends over to hold
beads in place. Add pin to the back.
Junior Girl Scout Craft - Laundry Scoop Sleigh
Supplies: laundry detergent scoop, dollar store garland, candy canes (large, small and individually wrapped), hot glue gun, candy
Instructions: Make the runners out of regular size candy canes using the hot glue gun, glue one on each side of the laundry scoop making sure that the long end of the scoop was in the front. Next put small candy canes on the back of the sleigh for back runners, again using the hot glue gun. Then apply the garland or any other material for the reigns and decorations. The only limit to the decorations is one's imagination. The final step is to fill the sleigh with candy and give it away, or take it home to munch on.
Paper Angels
Supplies: coffee filters (two each), cupcake paper liners (two each), satin ribbon, multicolor garland/pipe cleaner,
sequins, black permanent marker, scissors, glue, pink blush, stapler, jumbo craft sticks, yarn/paper twist
Instructions: Stack coffee filters so edges are staggered thane folded in half. Make 1/2" pleat at center top of skirt and
staple the pleat.Cut craft sticks in half for head and glue to skirt, about 1" above skirt. Fold two cupcake liners in half
and flatten. Glue to back at each side of head. Sequins or yarn/paper tist can be used for hair-glue to top of head.
Twist garland/pipe cleaner to make a halo. Place on head and glue at back. Use marker for eyes, nose, and smile.
Apply blush to cheeks. Tie ribboninto bow and glue over skirt staple. Cut length of ribbon and tie ends in knot. Glue
to back of head for a hanger.
Junior Girl Scout Activity - Holidays Everywhere
There are a number of holidays celebrated all over the world besides Christmas. Talk about some of the other holidays around the world and some of the traditions and come up with some activites the girls can do from these traditions. Here are a few Holidays below:
Hanukkah is the Jewish Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication. The Hebrew word hanukkah means dedication. The Hanukkah holiday begins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (approximately December) and lasts eight days.
During Hanukkah, gifts are exchanged and contributions made to the poor. On the first evening, one candle is lighted in a special eight-branched candelabrum called a menorah or hanukkiyah. Beginning on the second night, one candle is added every night until the total reaches eight on the last night. The candles are lighted by a separate candle called a shamash.
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday based on the traditional African festival of the harvest of the first crops. It begins on December 26 and lasts for seven days. The word Kwanzaa, sometimes spelled Kwanza, comes from a phrase which means first fruits in Swahili, an East African language. The holiday was developed in 1966 in the United States by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Pan-African studies and black cultural leader. It combines traditional African practices with African American aspirations and ideals. The holiday centers around the Nguzo Saba, seven principles of black culture that were developed by Karenga. These principles are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven principles. In the evening, family members light one of the seven candles in a kinara (candleholder) and discuss the principle for the day. Members of many families exchange gifts, some of which are homemade.
Circle in a Circle
Instructions: Divide girls into two groups and have them join hand in a cirlce. ONe person places a hula hoop around her arm and without breaking hands, the team has
to move the hoop around the circle. The two groups can compete against each other or make one large group and compete against time.
Junior Girl Scout Ceremony - Original Candle Ceremony
Speaker # 1 - As I light the right “candle”, and see the small sparks ignite to a bright flame, it reminds me of the Girl Scout movement and small girls growing in knowledge and self-respect as they, too, grow from the small spark of Daisies and Brownies to glow as Juniors, flame as Cadettes and blaze as Seniors.
Speaker # 2 - As I light the left “candle”, I am reminded of the Promise and Law followed by all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. It too starts as a small spark, but ignites to a warm feeling of friendship and understanding as girls bridge from level to level and gain greater understanding of the meaning that it gives us.
Speaker # 3 - The central “candle” that I light reminds me that Girl Scouting burns bright in the hearts and minds of all who are dedicated to girls and to the Girl Scout Program. The flame that spreads from these candles far outshines the light that it sends forth. Its glow reaches around the world and forms a bonfire of friendship that only exists when girls and leaders share the common bonds that girl Scouting makes possible.
Speaker # 4 - The three “candles” sparking to bright flames encircle the earth in peace and friendship. Your light will help keep the Girl Scout movement alive and glowing. This light will glow in hearts and minds forever. Will you all please join in reciting the Girl Scout Promise?
After speaker # 4 leads the promise, she then says: “We will now blow out our candles, (or extinguish our flashlights) but their meaning will glow and burn their image on the hearts and minds of our girls for all eternity.”
Girl Scout Benediction
Stand in the Friendship Circle
Father, bless us and keep us
For all sister Girl scouts and Girl Guides
All over the world. Amen.
Activities for Girls ages 11 - 17
Girls 11 - 17 Song - Wayfarer's Grace (to the tune of "Praise God From Whom All Blessing Flow" by M. Elizabeth Worsfold)
For all the glory of the way.
For thy protection, night and day.
For roof, tree, fire and bed and board.
For friends and home, we thank Thee, Lord.
Spanish: Alabemos al Senor.
Demos le gracias al Hacedor;
Por el hogar y la amistad,
Gracias, Senor, Aleluya.
French: Pour la beautè de nos chemins,
Pour aujourdhui et pour demain,
Et pour ce pain que nous mangeons,
Pour nos amis, nous Te louons.
German: Für diesen Tag den Du gemacht
Für Deinen Schutz bei Tag und Nacht
Für Obdach, Wärme, Ruh und Brot,
Für alles sei Dir Dank, O Gott.
Girl Scouts Together
Girl Scouts together, that is our song;
Winding the old trials rocky and long.
Learnig our motto, living our creed
Girl Scouts together in every good deed
Girl Scouts together, happy are we
Friendly to neighbors from o'er the sea
Faithful to country, loyal to home
Known as true Girl Scouts wherever we roam.
Girls 11 - 17 SWAP - Macaroni Angels
Supplies: manacotti noodles 1-1.5 inches long, elbow macaroni, small wooden beads, bow-tie pasta, round wooden ball, cotton, gold metallic pipe cleaner, paint, glue, pin back
Instructions: Use small manicotti noodle (about 1-1/2 inches long) for body, elbow macaroni for arms, small wooden bead for hands, bow-tie pasta for wings, round wooden bead or ball for head, quilt batting or cotton for hair, gold metallic pipe cleaner for halo. Paint face on bead. Glue on pin back.
Instant Snowman
Supplies: mini black beads (2 each), black and orange foam/construction paper/poster board, white crystal glitter or tiny Styrofoam pieces, mini Ziploc bags (can make own out of larger bags or saran wrap and glue edges), scissors, pins, marker, index card/paper
Instructions: Cut 1/2" of black foam/construction paper/poster board, inot a hat shape. Cut a small piece of orange paper into a carrot shape. Add to bag, along with
two black beads and a small scoop of glitter. Add pin and a tag that says:Instnat Snowman-just add water.
Girls 11 - 17 Craft - Glass Crystal Ornament
Supplies: clear glass ornament with removable top, crystals (found in the floral arrangement section of your craft store), food coloring, sequins, beads, glitter, lace, or anything tiny you want to put inside the ornament, base to set ornament in (optional), and Liquid Nails Sealant - Clear Seal all-purpose sealant.
Instructions: Find something you can use to hold the ornament upright while you work. Remove the metal lid and metal hanging wire from the glass ornament. Dip the ends of the metal hanging wire in the sealant or spray the end with a rust proofing paint. Let them dry. You will be putting water in the glass ornament. If you don’t seal the metal it will rust and discolor your ornament. Fill the ornament with a few sequins or beads, add water (you can add food coloring to the water if you would like) to fill the ornament about half full and then a few sprinkles of crystals. You will probably only need to use 1/4 teaspoon or less of crystals per ornament. The crystals will expand quite a bit. Let the ornament stand a few minutes so that the crystals expand. After the crystals have expanded, you can use something skinny and long like a pencil or craft stick to push the sequins in place next to the glass. Put more water in the ornament up to where the ends of the wire top will be. You don’t want the wire to come in contact with the water in the ornament if possible because it rusts. Put in more sequins and crystals. Use your craft stick to push the sequins around. Let the ornament set for at least half an hour. (If you are not happy with the results, you can start all over by placing the ornament under running water, the sequins and crystals will come out.) Now you are ready to put the lid on. Make sure you don’t have crystals or water in the top area of the ornament where the metal wire will be inserted. If you do, remove any excess with your pencil. Now fill the rest of the ornament with the clear sealant up to the top. Insert the wire and metal top. Let dry and then remove any excess sealant by pealing it off.
Holiday Light Bulbs
Supplies: light bulbs (used/burned out), acrylic paint, paintbrushes, wire for hangers, water
Instructions: Carefully paint light bulbs with holiday shapes, colors, etc. After they are dry attach wire around the coiled end to hang.
Girls 11 - 17 Activity - Santa Letter
Check with your local post office about the letters they receive for Santa. See if your troop can answer these. Make sure to read them since some children will ask for help with their sick or divorced parents. Remind the girls to not promise any wishes but say things such as: "The elves have been very busy making toys", or "I see you are on my list of good boys and girls", or "Rudolph really likes carrots. Will you leave him some this Christmas?".
Truth
Instructions: Have each girl write on a pice of paper one thing about her that is true that none of the other girls know. Then write two things that are not true, but could
possibly be. The cards are then mixed together and one person can read them out while the other girls try to guess which person's card it is and which line is the truth.
Girls 11 - 17 Ceremony - Values of Life Cermony
Props: large Trefoil, seven candles
Leader (pointing to Trefoil): The emblem you see before you represents the Girl Scout program. The seven candles represent the seven rays of the sun. We will now tell you what each of the seven rays stands for. Have the girls say the following while lighting the candle:
1: WISDOM – Wisdom does not necessarily mean superior knowledge. It means putting to the right use the knowledge one possesses.
2: COURAGE – Courage is not the quality that enables people to meet danger without fear; it is being able to meet danger in spite of your fear.
3: CHARITY – Charity is not limited to donations to the less fortunate. It is acceptance of others even when you do not understand them.
4: JUSTICE – Justice is the practice of dealing fairly with others without prejudice or regard to race, color, or creed.
5: FAITH – Faith is the conviction that something unproved by physical evidence is true. Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by that which we cannot see.
6: HOPE – Hope means to expect with confidence. Always hope for better things to come. A person without hope is of little good to herself or her community.
7: LOVE – There are many kinds of love – love of family, love of home, love of fellow man, love of God, and love of country. All these loves are necessary for a full life.
Indian Taps
Day is done (hands outstretched, palms down)
Gone the sun (raise outstretched hands)
From the lake (raise hands)
From the hill (raise hands)
From the sky (raise hands toward sky)
All is well (right hand to left shoulder, elbow bent)
Safely rest (left hand to right shoulder)
God is nigh (bow head on arms folded at shoulder)
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