Scouting is all about adventure, learning new skills, and rising to challenges, but that doesn’t have to stop when you’re at home. Whether your scouts want to put their problem-solving skills to the test, try their hand at survival techniques, or get creative with hands-on projects, there are plenty of exciting activities they can do both indoors and outdoors, all from the comfort of their own home!
In this guide, we’ll explore a mix of fun and educational activities that keep the scouting spirit alive. Best of all, many of these activities help scouts work towards their badges, so they’ll be learning, achieving, and having fun all at the same time!
What are Scout Activities and Why Are They Important?
Scout activities are hands-on, skill-building tasks designed to help children grow into responsible, confident, and capable individuals. They’re focused on teaching a variety of skills, including leadership, teamwork, self-reliance, and problem-solving. Through scouting, children learn to step outside their comfort zone, explore new things, and collaborate with others. Whether indoors or out, these activities foster personal growth, resilience, and a sense of achievement.
For scouts, these activities are more than just fun, they also tie into the development of life skills. They’re designed to challenge young people to learn practical skills, build confidence, and appreciate the world around them, helping scouts earn badges that reflect their progress in different areas, from creative challenges to outdoor survival.
Whether through indoor activities, outdoor adventures, or team-building exercises, scouts gain valuable experiences that can benefit them for years to come.
5 Fun At Home Scout Activities Your Children Will Love
Scouting is all about adventure, learning new skills, and embracing challenges—and that doesn’t have to stop when you’re at home. Whether your scouts are working towards their badges or just looking for a fun way to spend their time, these activities will keep them engaged while developing valuable life skills. From building creativity and teamwork to problem-solving and self-sufficiency, each activity offers a mix of fun and learning.
Baking
Baking is a hands-on, rewarding activity that teaches scouts essential skills such as following instructions, measuring ingredients, and understanding the science behind baking. It’s also a great way to practice patience, planning, and teamwork, especially when baking as a family.
Scouts working towards the Chef Activity Badge can challenge themselves to bake a variety of treats, such as:
- Cakes and cupcakes – Great for learning about mixing, baking times, and decoration.
- Cookies and biscuits – Perfect for practising portioning and shaping the dough.
- Bread – A fantastic way to explore how ingredients like yeast affect baking.
- Hot cross buns or scones – Traditional bakes that teach kneading and dough consistency.
Why not encourage your scouts to experiment with different recipes and even present their baked goods in a mini “Bake Off” challenge for the family!
Knot tying practice
Knot tying is a fundamental scouting skill, essential for everything from building shelters to securing gear. Practicing at home is simple – all that’s needed is some rope, string, or even a shoelace. Start with the basics and work up to more advanced knots.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to five useful knots:
- Overhand Knot – The simplest knot, used for securing rope ends. (Make a loop, tuck the end through, and pull tight.)
- Square Knot (Reef Knot) – Ideal for tying two ropes of the same size together. (Cross one end over the other, then repeat in the opposite direction and tighten.)
- Clove Hitch – Useful for tying a rope to poles or posts. (Wrap the rope around the post twice, crossing over itself, and tuck the end under before pulling tight.)
- Sheet Bend – Great for tying two ropes of different thicknesses together. (Make a loop with the thicker rope, pass the other rope through the loop, around the back, and tuck under itself.)
- Fisherman’s Knot – Excellent for securing fishing lines or thin cords. (Tie an overhand knot with each rope around the other, then pull tight.)
To make knot practice more engaging, challenge your scouts to use their skills in real-life scenarios, such as creating a secure clothesline, tying a bundle of sticks together, or even setting up a simple pulley system.
Create a bug hotel
Encourage your scouts to connect with nature by building a bug hotel, a fantastic way to attract insects and learn about biodiversity. This hands-on project is not only fun but also helps children understand the role insects play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
How to Build a Bug Hotel:
- Find a base – Use an old wooden box, a stack of bricks, or even an upturned flower pot.
- Gather natural materials – Sticks, dry leaves, hollow bamboo canes, pinecones, and bark all make great bug-friendly spaces.
- Assemble the layers – Arrange materials in compartments, creating small spaces for different insects.
- Place it in a quiet spot – A shaded area near plants is best for attracting bugs.
- Observe and record – Check back every few days to see what creatures have moved in!
For an added learning element and to share with the scout troop, scouts can keep a nature journal to document the types of insects they spot and research their roles in the environment.
Create a stop-motion video
Stop-motion animation is a brilliant way for scouts to get creative, practice patience, and develop digital skills. If your scout loves animation, storytelling, or playing with Lego, this activity will be a hit!
How to Make a Stop-Motion Video:
- Choose a theme or story – Simple ideas like a Lego character walking or a toy car race work well.
- Set up the scene – Use a plain background and ensure good lighting.
- Use a stop-motion app – Apps like Stop Motion Studio are great for beginners.
- Take photos – Move the object slightly between each photo.
- Playback and edit – Once all frames are captured, adjust the speed and add sound effects.
Scouts working towards the Creative Challenge Award or Digital Maker Staged Activity Badge can use this activity to practice storytelling, animation, and digital editing.
Want to brush up on your knowledge on scout badges and awards? Check out our blog What Is The Chief Scout Award?
Scavenger hunt in the garden
Encourage scouts and their parents to turn their gardens into a scouting adventure with a scavenger hunt! This activity sharpens observation skills, encourages exploration, and helps scouts learn more about their natural surroundings.
How to Set Up a Garden Scavenger Hunt:
- Create a checklist – Include items like different types of leaves, specific flowers, insects, or unusual rocks.
- Add fun challenges – Tasks like “find something rough,” “spot an animal track,” or “identify three birds” make it more engaging.
- Document findings – Scouts can sketch, take notes, or even take photos for a nature journal.
- Reflect and research – Encourage discussion about the items found, their significance, and how they support the ecosystem.
This activity is a great way to encourage curiosity and a love for the outdoors, helping scouts feel more connected to nature.
With these fun and educational at-home activities, your scouts can continue learning, building skills, and working towards their badges, all while having a great time. Whether they’re baking, mastering knots, creating animations, or exploring the outdoors, each activity brings a new opportunity to grow, achieve, and embrace the scouting spirit, right from home!
Tips for Parents and Leaders
- Set Up a Badge Challenge – Encourage scouts to earn multiple badges by grouping activities. For example, you could set up a challenge where scouts complete a series of activities within a week to earn a “Home Scout Badge” or “Nature Explorer Badge.”
- Make It Fun and Interactive – Scouts are more likely to engage if they see the activity as a game. Turn the scavenger hunt into a timed race or let them get creative with their stop-motion videos by incorporating costumes and props.
- Track Progress – Keep a record of all the activities and milestones your scouts have completed. This will not only help them stay motivated but also provide a fun way to reflect on what they’ve learned.
At Home Scout Activities Frequently Asked Questions
To help make these activities as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, here are some frequently asked questions:
- How can I adapt these activities for different age groups?
Many of these activities can be adjusted based on the child’s age and ability level. Younger children might need more guidance and simpler tasks, like basic baking or a scavenger hunt, while older children can tackle more challenging projects like advanced knot-tying or building complex stop-motion videos. - What supplies do I need for these activities?
Most of these activities require basic household items, like baking ingredients, string or rope, natural materials from the garden, and a device for stop-motion apps. You likely already have everything you need to get started! - How do I track progress for scout badges at home?
Scouts can document their activities and progress by keeping journals, taking photos, or even filming themselves completing tasks. This way, they can showcase their accomplishments to their fellow scouts and earn badges for the skills they’ve developed. - Are these activities suitable for small or large groups?
These activities can be easily adapted for both small groups and individuals. Many tasks, like baking or creating a bug hotel, can be done solo or in pairs, while activities like scavenger hunts and stop-motion videos work well in larger groups, encouraging teamwork.
Book your scouting adventure with PGL!
We hope these scouts activities at home are something your group might enjoy! If you’re not already heading on a Scout residential with PGL, then take a look at what we have to offer. We have a range of group residential trips to choose from, including multi-activity weekend breaks and Scout trips to Château de Grande Romaine.
If you have any questions, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today. They’ll be more than happy to help!
