game-library/data/sources/nmc-top100-scout-games.txt

SOURCE: /mnt/d/GoogleDrive/Cercetasi/carti-camp-jocuri/nmc-top100-scout-games.pdf
CONVERTED: 2025-01-11
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NMC TOP 100 SCOUT GAMES
Hi All
My name is Jimmy Cunningham and I'm a member of the NMC and also Provincial Commissioner for the North
East Province. I think that the Centenary Badge and the Procedure for achieving this gives great scope for

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exploring various new programme ideas for our groups. As you knew the criteria for achieving the 2nd part of
this Badge meant completing a task to organize a programme item that includes the number 100.
As a member of the NMC I felt it was important that we as a group took a lead in this. So I took on the
challenge of compiling this games book which I hope will be of great use to all Section leaders in the country.
I hope this book will give all leaders in all sections a resource of games for their Meetings and Camps.
The original idea I had was to compile 100 games with each of the 20 members of NMC contributing 5 games
each. But as I couldn’t achieve this I opened it up to all groups in the country and got some but not a lot of
replies. I made my target of 100 games.
I have also added an extra 219 games book of my own to the back which divides games into different
categories for ease of use. I want to thank Vincent Burns and Declan Reilly for their help in compiling this book.
I want to thank all the people that took time out to email me their games and I have included them in the book
with an acknowledgement that it was their selection.
With a total of 319 games in the book If you just used 2 of these games each time you had a meeting you would
be fit to run 5 years worth of games without using the same game twice.
This book is not complete it’s only the start of your own group personal games book so each time to play a new
game record it and put it into the book so you can build up a further library of games.
This book will be published on the scouting Ireland website and can be easily downloaded and added to.
Hope you enjoy this book and find it of some use as you proceed along the scouting trail
Jimmy Cunningham
20th August 2008

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NMC TOP 100 SCOUT GAMES
Jimmy Cunningham Selection
1.Spud:
Every scout is given a different ‘secret’ number, leader throws ball in the air and shouts a
number (scouts are in a circle). As soon as ball is in the air, everyone runs away. Whichever scouts
number is called runs to catch the ball, when they have caught it everyone else must stand still, the
scout with the ball then throws it at someone who is then ‘on’ and ‘out’.
2.Number Game:
Leader calls a number, say 5, scouts must get into groups of 5. Odd scouts left are out, continue until
only one left.
3.Cambridge and Oxford the Boat Race:
Teams sit on the floor in ‘rock the boat’ style. They hold on to the person behind at the ankles (person
at end holds onto shoulders). Each team must race (shuffling) to the end of the hall then turn around
and race again.
4.Wink/tongue Murderer:
All beavers are in a circle , a detective is outside ( 1 beaver). A murderer is chosen and then the
detective comes back in and has to figure out who the murderer is. The murderer kills people by
winking at them or sticking their tongue out until the detective figures out who the murderer is.
5.Jimmy’s Happy Game:
Skittle relay is where all patrols are lined up in formation one behind each other. On the whistle the
first person in the patrol is given a ball/log . They have to try and knock down a skittle at the other
side of the room and keep trying until they do. When they knock it they have to run up stand it back
up and then proceed to hand the baton on to the next member of the patrol. The winners are the first
patrol to finish.

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Michael Devin’s Selection
6.Smiles
Beaver/Cubs/Scouts form a circle all hold straight faces the leader throws his smile to one of group
that person has to smile and pass it on however when he passes it on he/she must keep a straight
face. If you smile while not holding the smile your out.
7. Emergency
All the section remove their shoes you place all shoes in the middle of floor get the section into a
circle turn off the lights and give them 3 mins to find their own shoes first lodge six or patrol with all
shoes on and tied in a straight line are the winner
8. Kings
Split the section into two remove all shoes and ask each group to select a king. Place each king on a
chair at each end of the hall. Each group have to try and get up to the other end of the hall and
capture the other side’s king. To stop a person getting near the king you have to lift then off the floor
and they are out. The side with both kings wins.(A chance for energy release)
9.Swamp
Each patrol stands on chairs on less then the number in the patrol/Six/lodge.(A group of six use 5
chairs).Each patrol then line up in a straight line and race up to the top of the hall and back without
getting off the chairs.
10.Mine sweeper (Ball in the bag game)
You place a ball in a plastic bag and tie a long rope to it. The group forms a circle around the leader he swings
the bag around in a circle as the bag arrives the young person jumps if the bag hits him or her they are out.

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Richard Scriven Selection
11.Dice
Six squares are chalked on the floor and numbered from 1 - 6. All the players run around the room
until the leader blows a whistle and then they choose a square and sit in it. The leader than throws a
dice (preferably a large one) All the players in the chosen numbered square are out! And the game
continues for there. It works better with large numbers.
12.Ladders
Everyone sits down in two lines opposite some one else. Every pair should have their feet touching.
Each pair is given a number; when their u=number is called the pair stand up and run up between
everyone’s legs (like a ladder) until they reach to the top, they then run on the outside to the end and
up the middle again until they reach their place. The first of the pair who sits down gets a point for
their side.
Suitable for Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts.
13.1,2,3 Go
The group is split in four and each one stands in a corner. When one is called everyone runs width
ways across the hall, then two is called everyone runs length ways and when three is called everyone
runs diagonally. There should be plenty of confusion, it can be run as a knockout game.
Suitable for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts
14.Pass Out
All the participants sit in a large circle and number off in fours. When a number is called everyone with
that number gets up and runs around the circle in the same direction. When someone is passed out by
another player they are knocked out. The object is for one person to be left running around at the
end. Then the game leader calls another and it continues.
Suitable for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts.
15.Bench Ball
This game involves patrol-sized teams. The object of the game is to score a goal by throwing the ball
to your own goalie who is standing on a bench at the end of the hall. Each team has a goalie at either
end of the hall. When they have the ball, players cannot move from the spot they are on, they must
throw it to a team mate.
Suitable for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts.

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Ciara Higgins’ Selection
16.Tiny Island
A circle big enough for all the people playing is chalked in the centre of the hall. The players are split in
half and each half is sent to a different end of the hall. When ‘Tiny Island’ is called by the leader, all the
players must run into the chalked circle. When the leader counts down from five, each player must be
fully in the circle (no feet or arms over the edge!). The circle gets smaller and smaller and players are
knocked out as they cannot fit inside.
Suitable for Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts.
17.Ship, Shore
One end of the hall is designated ship and one end is designated shore. The leader shouts ship or shore
and the players run to that end of the hall. The leader tries to catch the player out by, for example,
pointing at ship when calling shore, or by calling ship when the players are already at ship. The last
player to reach the end called or if a player moves from the end they are at when that end is called, is
out. The leader introduces new concepts into the game such as:
− Captain’s Coming: The players must all stand to attention and make a salute sign. They must
freeze as if the Captain is coming. If a player moves they are out.
− Sharks: The players must get themselves off the floor by what ever means necessary to avoid
the sharks.
− Scrub the Decks: The players must drop to their knees and scrub the ground.
− Climb the Rigging: The players must make a ‘climbing up a ladder’ motion.
− Ballroom Dancing: The players must get into pairs and begin ballroom dancing.
Suitable for Beavers
18.Numbers
The players all run around the hall and when the leader shouts a number, the players must get into
groupings of that number. If players cannot make up a grouping of that number they are out.
Suitable for Beavers, Cubs.
19.Pairs
The players get into pairs. They must then run around the hall, away from their partners. When the
whistle is blown they must find their partner, link arms backwards and sit down (with their arms still
linked). The last pair to find each other and sit down are out.
Suitable for Beavers, Cubs.

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20.Scotch
The players run around the hall and when they are running a tennis ball is introduced into the mix. When
a player catches the ball in their hands they shout ‘Scotch’. At this point all other players must freeze.
The player with the ball in their hands can turn by pivoting on one foot but cannot move otherwise. They
must throw the ball at someone and try and hit them to get them out. Once the ball has left the players
hands all the other players can move again and dodge the ball being thrown at them. If a player is hit by
the ball they are out.
Suitable for Scouts and Venture Scouts.
Michael John Shinnick Selection
These games provide a chance to learn by doing, involves variety, provides quick feedback on results
and are (above all) fun? The games involve Scouts in a series of emergency situations with which they
must deal correctly and quickly, they require no intricate preparations and can be run at the drop of a
hat.
21. Ice Rescue
Read aloud--once:
Your patrol is at a winter camp near an ice-covered lake. One of the Scouts disobeys orders and goes
out onto the ice. It breaks. He is struggling in the freezing water.
Send your smallest Scout to the other end of the room. He is the victim. (Wait until this is done.)
The tallest Scout in the patrol runs out to rescue him. When he gets close, the ice breaks under him
too. Now there are two Scouts in the water. (Wait until this is done.)
Demonstrate how you would handle this situation
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT—G
Correct Action:
The Scouts should lie flat on their stomachs and form a human chain. Each Scout holds the ankles of
the person ahead and the "chain" worms its way to the victim. This approach spreads the weight over
a larger surface.

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22..—GO Lightning
Read aloud--once:
This room is a big open field. This chair in the centre of the room (place chair in centre of room) is a
tall tree. Your patrol is hiking across the field. The sky has just darkened and there is the sound of
thunder. You have just seen flashes of lightning.
Each of you demonstrate what you would do.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO
Correct Action:
Scouts should get away from tree and keep low to the ground. Find a depression or ditch if possible
23. Accidental Hypothermia
Read aloud--once:
Your patrol is on a hike. The air temperature is around 10 degrees C. There is a cool breeze blowing.
Earlier, there had been some rain but now there's just a fine drizzle.
You meet another person on the trail. The tallest Scout in the patrol to act as this person.
(Wait until this is done).
When you greet him, he replies that it sure is a cold day. You notice that he is shivering and seems to
have difficulty speaking. His clothes are wet. Demonstrate what you would do.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!
Correct Action:
Get victim out of wind and rain. Insulate him from the ground and replace wet clothing. Put victim
into a pre warmed sleeping bag. As victim is conscious, give him hot fluids such as soup or tea. Build a
fire for warmth and huddle close for body heat. Do not rub or massage.
24 Fire in Tall Building
Read aloud--once:
Your patrol is visiting the tallest building in Canada. You are on the top floor. The door of this room is
the elevator. The other door (or corner) is the stairs. Suddenly an office opens and a woman comes
into the corridor. She says: "There's a fire four floors below us. Everybody must leave the building."
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!

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Correct Action:
The Scout should go to the stair door, feel it and then open it. No one should enter the elevator.
Explain to the Scout that automatic elevator buttons are often heat activated and as a result the
elevator will take passengers straight to the fire floor. Then the doors won't close because the smoke
puts the electric eye out of action. The elevator shaft will act like a chimney flue and suck flames and
smoke into the elevator car.
25 Nosebleed
Read aloud--once:
Each of you has a nosebleed. Demonstrate how you handle this situation.
JUST SECONDS TO THINK AND ACT--GO!
Correct Action:
Each Scout should sit down and lean slightly forward. Breathing through the mouth, each Scout should
press his nostrils firmly together.
These games provide a chance to learn by doing, involves variety, provides quick feedback on results
and are (above all) fun? The games involve Scouts in a series of emergency situations with which they
must deal correctly and quickly, they require no intricate preparations and can be run at the drop of a
hat.

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Stephen Carey’s Selection
26.Swing Ball:
All participants stand in a circle and the leader stands in the middle with a ball on a rope (a ball in a
black bag works well). As the leader swings the ball the participants have to jump over it. If they hit
the ball they are out
Suitable for beavers, cubs, scouts and ventures
27.No Man’s Land:
Participants separated into two teams and two lines of chairs set across the hall about 3 foot apart.
The object is to hit someone on the opposing team with a ball, on being hit they are out. If someone
catches the ball there person who threw it is out! If the ball lands in “no mans land” its anybodies, but
can’t be throw at the opposing team from no mans land! Sponge balls are best.
Suitable for Cubs, Scouts and Ventures
28.Bucket Ball:
Participants are separated into two teams and a member of each team stands on a chair at the
opposing end of the hall to their team with a bucket in their hands. The object of the game is to throw
the ball into their teams bucket to score a point. It’s a non contact game and the only way the ball can
be intercepted by the other team is when its flying through the air. Also they can’t travel with the ball!
Suitable for Cubs, Scouts and Ventures
29.Danish 1,2,3
Participants are paired off and asked to stand in a circle in 2 deep. (i.e you then have an inner and an
outer circle) There are 3 commands. On the command of “1” the couple simply swap places. On
command “2” all the scouts behind must go under the legs of the scout in front of them. On command
“3” all the scouts behind must run around the perimeter of the circle (clockwise) back to their partner
and then go under their legs and stand back up. The slowest couple on each command is out!
Suitable for Cubs, Scouts and Ventures
30.Poision Ivy
Participants join hands in a circle and a chair is placed in the middle. If you hit the chair you are out.
The object is to get the person next to you to hit the chair.
Suitable for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Ventures.

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Martin Burbridge (Chief Scout) Selection
31. Human X’s and O’s:
Set out a grid of nine squares or chairs. Split into two teams, one X’s other O’s. No speaking or sign
language allowed. Each player takes up a position to see if their team can form a line of three either
diagonally, vertically or horizontally.
32. Spin Dizzy:
Relay team game. Place a coin on the floor at one end of the room with teams at the other. Each
player runs up and places a finger or thumb on the coin and does three circles returning to tag the
next player. Team to finish first wins.
33. Blindfold trail (indoor or outdoor):
Lay a course with sisal or rope. Take appropriate safety precautions. All but one/two member/s of
the team blindfolded. They must guide the team around the course with verbal instructions only.
34. Human snakes and ladders:
Construction snakes and ladders board on the ground. Use ropes for snakes and some other
materials, e.g. benches, for ladders. Throw a big dice and move that number of squares. If you land
on a ladder go up or on a snake go back down.
35. Pancake race:
Each Patrol makes pancake batter for pancakes. When almost cooked the pancake must be tossed in
the air with the frying pan passed to the next scout to catch it. He/she then makes the next pancake
and tosses it, passes the frying pan to the next scout and so on. If a pancake is not caught they have
to cook another one. First Patrol to cook enough pancakes for all the patrol to eat wins.

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Noel O’Connor Selection
36. Duck!!!
Each patrol lines up behind their PL. A bit in front of their patrols is a small spar. The first member
runs to the spar & throws it to the 2nd. The 2nd throws it back & DUCKS!!!!. The PL then throws it to
the third etc… until all members have caught. The PL then runs to the end of the team & the process
continues until the PL is back at the front. Don’t forget to DUCK!!!
37. Statues:
A game for the entire troop. Everyone moves around the den, (maybe to music), when the music
stops or lights go off, everyone must freeze. Last man is out… Laughing also counts as out!!!
38. Fruit Bowl:
Troop sits around in a circle with one person left out in the middle! Pick 4 fruits, each person is
assigned a fruit, (apples, oranges, bananas, pear). Call out a fruit name & all the apples must swap
chairs. The person in the middle must try capture a chair for himself to get someone else to stand in
the middle.
39. Sentry Towers:
One or two people sit on chairs near the top of the den, they are blindfolded. One by one the troop
must sneak past/crawl without being caught. You could get the people on sentry duty to either point
or throw a ball at their attackers.
40. Jousting Jockey Back Race:
Each Patrol makes lines up behind the PL at one end of the den. At the other end of the den there is a number
of plastic cups standing upright. The patrol can swap around who is the horse. A member of the patrol gives
another a jockey back as far as the cups, while the person is still on their back, they must try pick the cup up
using their lance (a broom handle!!!). First patrol back in line wins.

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Julie Malone’s Selection
41. Hunt the Leader
Outline
Playing time: From 60 to 60 minutes
Number of players: From 9 to 50
Played as: Team
Suitable location: Outdoors
Equipment
• Outrageous disguises
Description
The Leaders disguise themselves as well as possible and hide somewhere in the locality (a friendly
town is ideal). E.g. Elderly lady at hairdressers, tramp in park, punks in phone box etc. (All been done
before!).
Scouts have to find leaders and obtain password. I would suggest in small groups of 3-4 depending on
age etc. Works best when children are unaccompanied so older children are better.
Best bit is listening to the children debate who is to approach elderly lady/tramp/punk and ask if they
are really a Scout Leader!!
Lots of preparation needed!!
Takes several hours, but combines well with a shopping trip.
Also long periods of boredom for leaders, punctuated by short periods of stifling giggles!

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42. The Bomb Mission
An explosive wide game
Outline
Playing time: From 30 to 60 minutes
Number of players: From 12 to 36
Played as: Team
Suitable location: Outdoors
Type of game: Team
Equipment
• Balloons
• Whistles
• Torches
Description
This game needs to be played in an area with hiding places such as a wood.
Create a number of equal teams, each team will be sent off to a different part of the playing area.
A number of Leaders (or PL's) are given the task of either handing out the Bombs (balloons) or
discharging them (popping).
Each balloon is marked by the team who is carrying it so it can be identified later.
The thing that makes this game harder is that the Leaders hide themselves so that the Scouts have to
use their sense of hearing and sight to find them.
The disposal units have a whistle and the people who hand the balloons have torches. These are
sounded at 1-minute intervals so that they can be found.
At the end of the game the team who has disposed of the most balloons are the winners.
To add a new element into the game you can have extra Scouts who can pop the balloons in transit.
Before starting define a game over signal

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43. Below the Knees
Requires speed and agility to avoid being hit
Outline
Playing time: From 5 to 15 minutes
Number of players: From 10 to 40
Played as: Individuals
Suitable location: Indoors
Equipment
• A football
Description
Leaders stand in each corner of the room.
Players start in the centre of the room and are able to move around.
Object of the game is to avoid being hit "Below The Knees" by the football.
Leaders throw the ball into the centre of the room aiming to hit the players below the knees.
When a player is "out" they move away from the play area
Last one left is the winner
Variations: - more than one football
: - Players who are out join the throwers
: - Leaders stand in the centre and the players round around the outside

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44.Chair Attack
Outline
A game where you aren't out
Playing time: From 5 to 30 minutes
Number of players: From 4 to 100
Played as: Individuals
Suitable location: Indoors
Type of game: Individual
Equipment
• A Chair per person
• A very soft ball
Description
Each player has a chair, which is placed against a wall.
Every player stands up, and tries to kick the ball at any other Scouts chair. Once your chair has been
hit you sit down on your chair but you can still take part in the game but only from a sitting position
and if the ball comes to you.
Last person whose seat has not been hit with the ball is the winner.
An interesting variation is to have teams of three or four players. If the ball is kicked too high a penalty
of 2 minutes sitting down is imposed. If you want game to go on for a long time each player only sits
out for five minutes when the ball hits the chair.

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45.Quadrants
Fast and furious ball game
Outline
Playing time: From 10 to 20 minutes
Number of players: From 8 to 20
Played as: Team
Suitable location: Indoors
Type of game: Team
Equipment
• A long rope or four shorter pieces
• A large area clear of breakable items, but with some obstacles if available.
• Whistle
• Referee/timer.
Description
The room/enclosed area is divided into four equal quadrants by the rope. The players are divided into
equal teams & each team takes a quadrant.
The ball is thrown in and passed around. The Whistle is blown every 30 seconds and whoever has the
ball in their quadrant loses a point. Loser is first to lose all allocated points.
Aim of the game is to get the ball out of your area and into some else's as fast as possible.

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Francis Minogue Selection
46. ZIG ZAG (Energy Release)
Get the Patrols to line up in straight lines kneeling on 1 knee behind a marker (Chair or similar). Each
Marker is given a number: 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. The numbers remain stationery through-out the game.
When you call 1 & 4 for example – row 1 changes places with row 4 (zig sagging through rows 2 & 3 to
get to their new places). The last scout in their new place on one knee is out.
Repeat until only 1 scout remains. The faster the game is played the better.
47. Fruit bowl (Energy Release)
All Scouts sit in a circle on chairs. The Game Leader goes around the circle assigning everyone a fruit in
turn from Apple, Orange, Pear, Banana.
When Apple is called – all the Apples must stand up and as quickly as possible run across the circle to
an unoccupied chair on the other side. Each round at least one chair is removed from the circle. The
Scout who ends up without a chair is out.
When Fruit bowl is called – all Scouts get up and cross the circle to another unoccupied chair.
Continue the rounds until only one scout remains.
48. Bamboo Circle Game
Get all the Scouts to stand in a circle holding a Bamboo Cane upright touching the floor (between 5 & 6
foot long). The calls are Left, Right and About.
When Left is called – each Scout must let go their Bamboo Cane (The must simply let go – do not allow
scouts to push the cane in any direction). They then move left to catch the Cane on their immediate
left. Any scout who fails to catch the Bamboo cane is out.
When Right is called – each Scout must let go their Bamboo Cane (The must simply let go – do not allow
scouts to push the cane in any direction). They then move right to catch the Cane on their immediate
left. Any scout who fails to catch the Bamboo cane is out.
When About is Called – each Scout must let their Bamboo Cane (The must simply let go – do not allow
scouts to push the cane in any direction). Spin around through 360 degrees and then recatch their own
Bamboo Cane. Any scout who fails to catch the Bamboo cane is out.
Continue until 2 scouts remain. Then position the Scout about 10 feet apart. When you shout Go – both
let go their cane and race across to catch the other cane. IF both are successful increase the Gap and
continue running the races until one Scout fails to catch the cane.

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49. Compass Game (Energy Release & Compass Skill)
Allocate the 4 walls in the room one of the 4 Cardinal Points (North, South, East & West). When you call
North – all the Scouts must run to the North wall. The last person to touch the wall is out. Continue
until only 1 scout remains.
For added complication – use the instructions for the Corners of the room (I.e. North East; North West;
South East and South West)
50. Leap frog relay
The Patrols stand in rows with about 2 metres between each Scout. The Scouts bend over and the last
one in line leapfrogs over their backs. As soon as he has got into position 2 mts. in front of the last one,
the next Scout at the back of the line starts to jump, and so on. The first Patrol to finish leapfrogging is
the winner.

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John Brennan’s Selection
51. Blow Ball
Two table tennis balls required. Mark a course say 6meters wide with a chalk line. Participants
on command blow the tennis ball over the line. First over wins.
52. Nose Ball
Staying with the tennis ball same set up but this time nose it across the line blowing it means
your out.
53. Blow Cones
Make 2 cones from A4 paper. Set up 4 anchor points(Chairs?)
Tie one end of a piece of string of say 10 meters to one chair each. Place the cone on the string
by passing it through both ends and secure to the opposite chair making two "courses" on
Command the participants move the cone along the string by blowing into the cone. First
Home wins.
54. Ship to shore
Action Game using words Ship, Shore, Bombers, ones, twos etc. Designate one Wall as Ship
one as Shore and the floor becomes bombers. On Shouting Ship they run to the designated
wall, Shore to the designated Wall and fir bombers hit the floor. 5 minutes and all the energy is
gone.
55. Object Chase
Place the group into a large circle with hands open behind their back. One is nominated and
given an object (Say a pen) and the individual walks or runs around the outside of the circle.
The participant places the pen into the hands of his or her choosing and runs round the circle
to get back to that persons place in the circle before being caught. If not caught person 2
carries on in the same fashion. If caught then person 1 starts again.
56. Pick and Chase
Two parallel rows of participants numbered off. The rows should be at least 2 meters apart.
Place an object in the centre of the floor and call off a number say 2. The idea is to get out grab
the object and back to your own side without being caught. A winner is someone who gets
away without being caught

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1st/10th Westmeath Mullingar Selection
57. Nosey Parker
Scouts line up in relay formation. First Scout in each line, puts a matchbox on the end
of his/her nose, completes a given course, and returns to pass the matchbox to the next scout,
without using their hands…from nose to nose, and so it continues!!
58. Squankles
Scouts in relay formation, each scout grabs his/her own ankles and without letting go,
must complete the course in relay fashion.
59. Scramble
Each scout removes his/her footwear and places it in a pile in the centre of the room, then the
scouis all face the walls of the room. Leaders mix the footwear up, carefully separating those left in
pairs. On a given command, the scouts must find their shoes, put them on and first patrol back in
formation at alert, wins! (This game is especially difficult in a dark hall if the lights are turned on and
off at 15 second intervals!)
60. Shark Island
A rope is laid in a circle on the floor. This is the island. Get all scouts to stand inside the
rope boundary. When a leader shouts “All Clear” the scouts must leave the island because it is safe to
do so, and step outside the rope. At this point, a leader pulls the rope (loop) a little tighter, making
the island a little smaller. When a Leader shouts “Sharks”, the scouts must all get back on the island.
Any scout not able to get inside the rope is out. The Leaders keep reducing the size of the island every
couple of minutes during the “all clear” sessions. Last one on Island is the winner!!
61. Tug ‘o’ Knots
Every scout has a 1 metre length piece of rope. In patrols or relay formation, on a given
command, each scout joins his/her rope to the next scouts rope. First team finished with one rope
made from all pieces, wins points; then have a tug of war by joining two opposing teams ropes
together. Winners get points for winning tug of war. Tug of war ropes are separated after each heat.
At the end of the tug of war, each group reforms into patrols / relay formation and on command untie
all the knots. First patrol with all 1 metre pieces of rope untied gain the last points. Team with most
points wins. (Very useful for weekly patrol challenges).

--- PAGE 22 ---
Geraldine Smith, PSO in Dublin Province Selection
62. Jingle the Keys
The players stand in a circle with one in the centre with his eyes shut. The leader gives keys on a ring
to one of the players, who jingles them and then holds them still, whereupon the centre player tries
to go and get them. If he cannot locate them, he is helped by a slight jingle. When he locates them,
the leader nods to another player who says, “Bring them to me.” The centre player, with his eyes still
shut, tries to take them to the one who requested him to do so.
63. The Prince of Paris
The players sit in a semi circle and number off consecutively. The leader is seated at the end to the
right and starts the game by saying, “The Prince of Paris has lost his hat. Did you find it, Number Six,
sir?” (Naturally, the leader may call on any player.)
Number Six immediately answers, “What sir! I sir?” The following conversation is continued between
the leader and Number Six:
Leader: Yes sir, you sir!
Number Six: No sir, not I sir!
Leader: Who then, sir?
Number Six: Number Ten, sir!
The leader now tries to say, “The Prince of Paris has lost his hat,” before Number Ten can say, “What
sir! I, sir?” If Number Ten succeeds, he and the leader carry on the identical conversation, which took
place between Number Six and the leader. Should the leader succeed, he and Number Ten exchange
places. Should any player make a mistake in repeating the conversation, he must exchange places
with the leader.
64. Buzz
The players are seated in a circle. One player starts the game by saying, “One;” the next says, “Two;”
the counting proceeding around the circle until the number seven is reached, for which the word
“buzz” is substituted.
The players continue counting, always substituting “buzz” for any number in which the digit seven
occurs, such as seventeen or twenty seven. “Buzz” is also substituted for any number which is a
multiple of seven, such as fourteen or twenty one. Upon reaching seventy, the counting proceeds as
“buzz-one,” “buzz-two,” etc. Seventy-seven is “buzz-buzz.”
Should a player say “buzz” in the wrong place, give a number when he should have said “buzz,” or call
a wrong number, he drops out of the game. The counting continues from where the mistake was
made. The game proceeds until all are out.
65. Telegrams
The player’s sit in a circle and each try to write a clever telegram the words of which begin with the
letters of his right-hand neighbour’s name. For instance, Smith would require words beginning with
the following letters: S m i t h. When the telegrams are completed, each passes his on to his right
hand neighbour and each in turn reads the one he received.

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66.A Trip to Europe
The players sit in a circle. One of them, whom we shall call “Smith” starts the game by saying, “I’m
going to Europe and I’d like to have all of you go along if you will bring the things I want you to bring. I
am going to take a salmon.” If the player knows the game, he takes something the name of which
begins with the first letter of either his given name or his surname, and is welcomed into the party,
but if the player is unacquainted with the game, he may offer to bring something that is not
acceptable, and therefore be told regretfully that he cannot go. The game goes on until all discover
why they mayor may not go on the trip to Europe or until they give up.

--- PAGE 24 ---
4th Port Dodder Sea Scout Group Selection
67. My Grandmother Doesn’t Like Tea
One player who knows the game begins saying, “My grandmother doesn’t like tea but she likes
coffee.” The other players ask if she likes this or that, for example, “Does she like cake?” The first
player may answer, “No, but she likes cookies.” If there are players in the group who know the game
they join with the first player and tell what their grandmothers like or do not like, and as they others
discover the reason for these likes and dislikes, they also join this group. This continues until all the
players have discovered that “grandmother” does not like anything the name of which contains the
letter “t,” but she does like everything the name of which contains double letters
68. Wireless
Two people take hold of the ends of a towel or string and swing it round and round between them,
ostensibly “to get the air waves going” but in reality to listen for someone to speak. When someone
does speak, one of the two asks the other if he got the message. If he is uncertain as to who spoke,
he says, “No,” and his confederate suggests that they begin again. If he is sure of the identity of the
speaker, he says, “Yes,” and leaves the room. His confederate gives the “message” to the person who
spoke immediately before the other player said he got the message. The “message” may consist of a
piece of paper, or anything easily concealed. The player returns and names the person who received
the “message.” The others try to discover how the trick was done.
69. Wink
Half the players sit in chairs in a circle with one extra chair vacant, and a player stands behind every
chair. The one with the empty chair winks or nods his head at any seated player, who immediately
tries to escape before the person behind his chair tags him. If he gets away, he occupies the vacant
chair but, if tagged, he must remain in his own chair. The object is to keep one’s chair occupied.
70. How Do You Like Your Neighbour?
The players sit in a circle, with one in the centre. They number consecutively, including the centre
player. The centre player goes up to anyone of the other players and asks, “How do you like your
neighbour?” He may answer, “Very well,” in which case all the players must change seats, or he may
say, “Not at all,” whereupon the questioner asks, “Whom would you rather have?” He may say,
“Number Six and Thirteen” (any numbers). These two numbers must then exchange seats with the
two who sit on either side of the person who named them. During the exchange, the questioner tries
to get a seat. The one left without a seat is the next questioner.
71. Ocean Wave
The players arrange their chairs close together in a circle. One player then goes into the centre, which
leaves one vacant chair. The centre player calls “Shift right (or left)” and changes the call whenever he
wishes. The players endeavour to keep the chair on the right or left occupied while shifting as
directed. In the meantime the centre player tries to get a seat. Whoever is at fault in case he
succeeds exchanges places with him.

--- PAGE 25 ---
Tina Finn Selection 32nd Rathgar Scout Group
72. Magpies
Equipment: 1 matchbox per child.
How many things can each child fit in the matchbox in 10 minutes?
Blade of grass, daisey, feather, pebble, etc.
73. Guessing Game
Equipment: Have 10 items of fruit and veg ( in season ) in a large pillow case.
Each child in turn feels inside the bag and tries to guess what they are. You could play this as a tasting
game as well. Blindfold the child and they taste a selection of fruit and veg.
74. Back to Back Run
The children find partners, stand back to back and link elbows. Their challenge is to run to a spot and
back, one facing forwards and the other backwards. To return to the start point after reaching the
given spot, they don't turn around but merely switch roles.
75. Character pair matching
Write names of farm animals on two cards for each animal. Distribute randomly to the children and
get them to find their corresponding pair by making the noise of that animal.
76. Balloon Blow
Equipment: Balloons ( blown up)
Line the children up into two teams and give each child a balloon. On the word "GO" each child must,
in turn, blow their balloon along the floor to the end of the hall ( or a marked spot ). and then return
to the end of the line as fast as possible. The next child then takes their turn.

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4th Fermanagh Scouts, Lisnaskea Selection
77. Dice Game
You need six large sheets of card and a large dice. On each sheet of card draw large dots to
correspond with each side of the dice. Lay the card on the floor. The children run around and stand on
one of the pieces of card, throw the dice and whatever number it lands on the children standing on
the corresponding number are out.
78. Tyre game
We use a tube from the inside of a large tyre that is inflated as big as it will go. Divide the children into
two teams and number them 1 – 8 etc. Get them to stand at opposite ends of the hall. When you call
a number the person from each team with the corresponding number run forward and try to drag the
tyre back to their team to score a point. This is great craic with the tyre as it is so big it is easy for both
team members to pull on. Even better fun if you call two numbers at the same time. We usually finish
with calling all the numbers.
79. Snow Shoes
This game originated in Canada and we came across it when we were doing scouting around the
world. You need to divide the children into teams and you need two plastic shopping bags per team.
The idea is to get from one end of the den to the other using the bags as stepping-stones, as the bags
slide under their feet it makes it more fun. Done in a relay fashion the first team with all their
members back first is the winner.
80. Prayer or promise relay
Print out the prayer / promise and cut into words or phrases (which we have laminated and prepare
one set for each team) place them all jumbled up on a table at one end of the hall. Divide the kids into
teams. Done as a relay the idea is to get them to run down to the table and select one section and
bring it back to the team, as each member returns they start to assemble the words into the correct
order and the winning team is the first one to collect all the pieces and have them in the right order.
This is a great game for the start of the year to help them learn the prayer and promise.
81. Scott’s Game
Get the children to scatter around the hall in groups of three with arms linked. One person has to do
runner and one to do catcher. The catcher chases the runner but if the runner links onto one of the
groups of three the person at the opposite end of the link has to let go and become the runner. If the
runner gets caught they automatically become the catcher. This is a game that can last for ages.

--- PAGE 27 ---
3RD Monaghan Carrickmacross Venturers Selection
82. Cereal box.
Group of 3 to 20.
Equipment:- A cereal box.
The Cereal box is placed in the centre of the room and all the participants from a circle around it. The
first person walks forward and picks up the box with their teeth not using their hands and not letting
their hands touch the ground. The bit they grab in their teeth is then ripped of the box and the box is
replace in the centre of the circle. The next person in turn picks up the box in the teeth and rips of a
bit. As the game continues the box get smaller and is harder to pick up using only your teeth. There
are two reason someone is put out. If they touch their hand on the ground or if they cant pick up the
box. The last person left in the circle is the winner.
83. Shave the Balloon
Equipment :- Balloons ,bic shavers and shaving foam.
Fill the ballons with shaving foam and cover the outside of them with foam. The aim of the game is
the first person to shave all the foam of the balloon is the winner.
84. Electricity game
2 teams of people lye on the ground and hold hands to from a chain. The team must keep the eyes
closed for the duration of the game. Then the leader sits at the end the holds the first persons hand in
the team. The leader squeeze’s the hand of the first in the line. They first in the line squeezes the
hand of the second in line and the second squeeze the third and so on to the top of the line. When
the last person in the line receives the squeeze he/she jumps up the runs to the end of the room and
tips the wall. The first team to tip the wall wins.
85. Polo game
For 2 teams of 4 to 8 people.
Equipment:- Cocktail stick for each person, packet of polo sweets.
The teams sit on the ground with there back against a wall shoulder to shoulder in a line. Each person
is given a cocktail stick. Each person must put the cocktail stick in the their mouth and hands behind
their back. The first person is given a polo and it is place on their cocktail stick. They must pass the
polo to the next in line using only the cocktail stick. The polo is passed from cocktail stick to cocktail
stick to the end of the line. The two teams can have a race.

--- PAGE 28 ---
132nd Eagle Troop, Bayside Selection
86. “Bomb the Bridges” 4-6 Tennis balls
The scouts stand scattered around the Den with their legs around 2ft apart. Each scout’s legs
form a “bridge” which may be bombed. To bomb a “bridge”, a tennis ball must be thrown
between the scout’s legs (hitting a player’s legs is not enough). Once bombed, the scout is out
and must sit down. However, they may still take part by continuing to throw the tennis balls to
bomb other players. The last scout standing is the winner. To prevent being bombed the scout
may protect his/herself using hands to catch or deflect the tennis ball. Scouts may not move
their feet or crouch to prevent being “hit”. Balls which are out of reach may be retrieved
quickly by the nearest players so that play can continue. The greater the number of balls the
harder and faster the game becomes!
87. “Row Ball” I Large Ball
Troop/Pack is divided into two teams who sit in parallel lines about four feet apart, but facing
in opposite direction. The feet of each player should just touch the seat of the scout/cub in
front. A mark is made halfway down the aisle between the two teams. The ball is placed on
this mark. When the Leader calls “Row”, the players use their inner hands only and try to drive
the ball to the front of their respective teams. If this is done a goal is scored. The ball must stay
on the ground. As a variation, turn the teams around and use the other hands.
88. “Tail Grab “ Rope or Cloth
Each Patrol stands in a line behind their Patrol Leader. Each scout holds the belt or waist of the
scout in front. The last scout has a “tail” tucked into their trousers (piece of cloth or rope)
. On the word “GO” the patrol leaders have to move around the room and try to get as
many of the other patrols tails as possible. Any patrols that break their chain are disqualified.
The winning patrol is the one with the most tails.
89. “Table Tennis Ball Relay” Party blowers and table tennis balls
Each player gets a party blower ( the type that unrolls when you blow it ) that he/she uses to
push the table tennis ball across the floor. The scout/cub can only use the party blower,
nothing else, he/she can’t blow the ball themselves or touch it in any way except for the
blower.

--- PAGE 29 ---
90. “Tilt” Billy half filled with water for each team, An aluminium foil cake container per team, An
Alka-Seltzer tablet per team
For each patrol, put an Alka-Seltzer tablet in each foil cake dish and then float one cake dish in
each patrol’s billycan. The patrols must now transport the billycan through an obstacle course
without the tablet getting wet or falling into the water. They are not allowed to touch the foil
case or the tablet. The patrols could either carry the billycans by their handles, or, if you are
feeling very mean, you could get them to pick them up between two poles!!
3rd Carlow Borris Selection
91. Tight Rope
Equipment: 1 large and long rope
Get all the scouts to stand in a circle each member holding the rope. Get all members to pull
outwards from the circle on the rope (tighten the rope). Each member in the circle is given a number
and when their number is called they must climb onto the rope and walk around the circle on the
rope use the members of the circle as support… change it up by having 2 people walk the circle in
opposite directions.
92.Inside out
Patrols stand in a straight line side by side and hold hands. Objective of the game is for each patrol to
turn themselves inside out?? The last member of the team must climb under the legs of the first
member of the patrol, second member and so on, without anyone breaking hands. Watch them tie
themselves into a knot, this works good with a large group also?

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93. 5cent race
Patrol relay game. Each patrol stands at the bottom of the hall in a straight line. At the top of the hall
have a target drawn on the floor (See below blue 5pts, yellow 10pts and red 15pts). Give each patrol a
5cent piece each. Objective is to transport the 5cent from one end of the hall to the other using only
their Buttocks or inner thighs. (Watch them waddle). Once the coin is safely transported the scout
then attempts to drop it in the target zone. Patrol with the most pts at the end wins?
94.Tazmanian Devil
All you need is a sweeping Brush. Get the scout to hold the head of the sweeping brush into their
chest with the handle point up. With their chin resting on the handle and looking at the top of the
broom handle the scout must spin around fast a set number of times (depending on age). Once they
have achieved this they must now bend over and attempt to touch the top of the broom off the floor.
(Be ready to catch them).
95. Spoons
Equipment:
3 Spoons and 3 chairs, basins or zones
Place the 3 chairs in the shape of a triangle (5-10 paces away from each other). Place the 3 spoons in
the middle of the triangle (equal distance from any chair). Now break the scouts into 3 equal groups
and number them 1 to X. With each team standing at their chair their objective is to get 2 spoons on
their chair. The person with the most stamina prevails.
Rules: Only can ever have 1 spoon in your hand and no physical contact

--- PAGE 31 ---
Aoife FitzPatrick, Section Leader 7th Dublin, Donnybrook Selection
96. Danish 1-2-3
Divide the troop into pairs and arrange them in a circle. The Scouts should stand in their pairs one behind the
other. When the leader blows the whistle once they must switch places with their partners. When the leader
blows the whistle twice the person behind must crawl under the legs of their partner. When the leader blows
the whistle three times the Scout at the outside must run around the circle in a clockwise direction, get back to
their partner, crawl under their legs and stand up in front. The last pair to stand back up in their places are out.
97. Stormy Seas
Each Scout gets a chair and the troop sits in a circle. Each member of the troop is given the name of either
mackerel, cod or herring. When the leader calls “Mackerel”, all the mackerels must get up run around the outside
of the circle and back to their places. When they reach their own chair they must crawl under it and sit back
down. If the leader blows a whistle while they are running they must change direction. The last person back is
out (It’s a good idea to ask them to leave the circle but leave their chair there to maintain the size of the circle).
If the leader calls “Stormy seas!” everyone must get up and run around the circle.
98. It’s under a cup
Place a row of about 20 paper cups down the middle of the hall turned upside down. Under each cup place an
object (such as key, whistle, spool of thread etc). Divide the troop into two teams and line them up on either side
of the hall. Number them off from 1 to whatever. The leader calls a number and an object. The Scouts may only
use their right hand to lift cups up and place them back down. The first one to find the object and bring it back
to their team wins a point. Don’t allow the Scouts to fling the cups all over the place as all the objects will be
revealed. The rest of the teams should be looking on trying to memorise where all the other items are.
99. Timebomb
Divide the hall into four even quadrants, with one patrol or team in each one. A leader throws in an object (not
bouncy, ie a ball doesn’t work for this. Use a rucksck or a sleeping bag in it’s stuff sack, or a cushion). The patrols
must get rid of it out of their area. A blindfolded leader blows a whistle at various intervals. Whichever team has
the bomb in their area when the whistle blows gets a point against their team. The team with the least amount
of points at the end wins.
Alternatively, whoever touches the bomb last before the whistle blows is out. One by one the teams start to get
smaller and it becomes harder to defend your own area. If one team is completely out the other teams will lose
points/players for throwing the bomb into the empty quadrant.
We usually begin by playing the original way and finish up by eliminating people.

--- PAGE 32 ---
100. Prisoner’s Base
Divide the troop into two teams. Place a barrier of chairs or benches across the middle of the hall and each team
stands in either end of the hall. Towards the back wall of each half draw a chalk line on the ground – this is the
prison.
A ball is thrown in. Whichever team catches it goes first. They must try to hit the members of the other team
with the ball below the waist. If the ball hits the ground first it doesn’t count – the ball must hit the player cleanly
on the legs and must hit the ground afterwards. If the ball hits a player’s legs but is immediately caught by
someone else the player who has been hit is not out.
When a player is hit they must cross over to the prison on the other side of the hall taking the ball with them.
They then have one free shot to hit a player from the other team. If they hit someone from the opposition they
are allowed to return to their team and the person they hit must cross over to the other prison. However, if they
miss they must remain in the prison until the ball comes to them. If the ball crosses the prison line it is the
prisoners’ throw. The rest of their teammates may deliberately throw the ball high and into the prison to help
free their prisoners.
If a player catches a ball which has been thrown at them the person who threw the ball is out and must go straight
to the prison without a free throw.
The last person on a team to be hit still has one free throw once they get to prison and may turn the game around!
The winning team is the one to send all the opposition to prison.
Set up for the hall is as follows:
a B A b
A = Team 1
a = Team 1’s prison
B = Team 2
b = Team 2’s prison

--- PAGE 33 ---
3rd Monaghan Cub Selection
101. Ball between Legs
The Cubs form a circle with legs apart and with their feet touching their neighbours feet. They place one hand
behind their back. A ball (a light, soft sponge ball is ideal) is thrown into the circle and the Cubs use their free
hand to try and knock the ball between the legs of the other players. They are allowed to defend themselves
with their free hand.
If the ball passes through someone’s legs, that person is out. They come out of the circle and the circle moves
in to close the gap so that the game can continue. The first Cubs who are out can help to retrieve the ball, and
once enough Cubs are out, a second game can be started to keep them occupied. As the number of Cubs in the
circle gets fewer the game becomes more frenetic
102. Corners
Identify each corner by a coloured balloon. When the music starts the Beavers run around or dance in the
middle of the hall. When the music stops the Beavers run to any corner. Pull one of the colours out of the bag.
All the Beavers in that corner are out, the music starts and the game continues.
The last Beaver in wins.
103. Dice
Six squares are chalked on the floor and numbered from 1 - 6.
All the players take part. They run around the room until the leader blows a whistle and then they choose a
square and sit in it.
The leader picks the quietest player to throw a dice. All the players in the chosen numbered square are out! Its
a gamble!!
104. Head Catch
Cubs stand in a large circle with a Leader standing in the middle and the leader takes in turn to throw a ball to
each player.
As the Leader throws, he will say either 'Head' or 'Catch'. The Cub must do the opposite either catching or
heading the ball.
If the player does the wrong option they must sit down and the winner is the last player standing.
To make it slightly more taxing the Leader can randomly choose Cubs as opposed to just going round the circle
in order.
Some additions are for the players to go down an their knees rather than being out and if they get it right next
time they are back standing, get it wrong and they are out.

--- PAGE 34 ---
3rd Monaghan Carrickmacross Scout Selection
105. Matching Cards
Equipment
Fronts off Christmas or Birthday cards
A pair of scissors
Cut the Cards up into halves, make it more interesting by cutting the cards with a curved line not a straight one.
When the cards have been cut, hand one half to one beaver and the other half to another beaver and do the
same with the next card and so on until each beaver has half a card. The beavers then go around looking for the
beaver with the other half of their card and when they find them they have to introduce themselves to each
other. This is a great game to play on the first night back after Christmas, especially if you have new beavers
joining the colony.
106. Moon Men
Equipment
Pieces of card, approx 150mm x 200mm (6" x 8"), large enough for two Beavers to stand on at the same time,
with their feet completely on the card.
You will need enough pieces for all your Beavers to stand on (12 pieces of a colony of 24 etc)
Sprinkle the card around the room
Get the Beavers walling or running around the card 'craters' in a circle
When a Leader shouts 'Monster Coming' each Beaver must jump in a crater, represented by having all of both
feet on a piece of card.
To start with there are enough pieces of card for all the boys, but after each go, remove one piece of card. Any
Beaver failing to fit in a crater is out.
The game continues until there are just two Beavers left.
VARIATIONS:
Many variations can be played, such as playing in shark infested waters. When the Beavers hear 'Shark
Coming!' they have to climb on an island
With this version you can shout 'Tide Turning' to reverse the direction the Beavers walk/run around; 'Storm!' to
get them to exaggerate their swimming movements.

--- PAGE 35 ---
107. Nuts!
Equipment
A plate per player
5 items per player, ie. spoon, pen, pencil sharpener, anything!
Each Beaver stands by his plate with his five items on it. At the blow of a whistle they have to go to another
Beavers plate and take one item from it, and put it onto their own plate. They continue to do this, going to any
Beavers plate, until the second whistle is blown. The winner is the Beaver with the most items on their plate.
108. The Chair Game
Each player stands behind a chair which are arranged in a circle, with the chairs facing in.
On a shout of "1", the players move one chair to the left.
On "2" the players move one chair to the right.
On "3" the players sit down on the chair they should be standing behind.
The last person to sit down in the correct chair stays sitting down and that chair must then be avoided by
everyone else.
Common shout would be "1,1,1,2,2,1,3!" etc...
If this gets too easy, reverse the meaning of "1" and "2" half way through the game

--- PAGE 36 ---
109. Backbreaking Skittles
Equipment
Sturdy chairs are required if playing with Scouts!
Several light/soft footballs
Six plastic skittles
Chalk (or sting to divide area)
This is best played in an enclosed area such as a hall.
Divide your area in half with a chalk line, which is not to be crossed by either team.
Select two equal teams. Place three skittles per team equally spaced across the hall about 20 feet back from
the line, in each team's territory.
The idea is for each team to knock down all three of the opposing team's skittles, whilst defending their own.
Several balls are used at once, however they can only be reclaimed from within the team's own territory, no
crossing the line. The winning team's score is the number of their own skittles standing once the other teams
are all knocked down. A number of rounds can be nominated and the aggregate score calculated for the final
score. Players may only throw the balls under-arm. Using back and side walls to rebound off is allowed and is a
good way to get round blockers. Teamwork in the form of passing along the line will also help. All players must
stay on their feet when blocking incoming balls, and only one player at a time may directly block each skittle.
110. Holding your Water
Equipment
Lots of water bombs filled with cold water
Holding yu
111. Find it
A football is placed in the middle of the hall, and one Scout from each Patrol is blindfolded, each starting from
different positions but all an equal distant from the ball, crawls forward to find the ball. His aim is then to
return to his Patrol with it. Each Scout must crawl on his stomach the whole time, unless the Scooter prefers
them to be on all fours. If a Scout finds the ball, the others can try to take it from him by any means possible
until the ball reaches a base. A struggle may result. Should the ball be returned to the wrong base, the owner of
that base wins. Some prefer this game to be played in dead silence, while others allow
Patrols to shout advice and directions to their representative.

--- PAGE 37 ---
112. Over and under
The Patrols line up in file order. The Patrol Leader runs to the front of the play area, and touches a marker,
returns to the front of the Patrol and crawls between the legs of the Scouts, through the Patrol, touches a
marker behind the Patrol and returns to his place over the backs of the Patrol. When he is in place, number two
sets off over the back of the Patrol Leader, runs to the marker in front, back and under the legs of the Patrol,
over the backs of the Patrol and back
into his place. This is continued until the whole Patrol has had a turn.
113.Find the Colour
A Leader calls a colour and the Patrol Leader, or a Scout taking turns, gets something that colour to the Leader.
The first one gets a point, the highest score wins.
114.Skittle Knockout
Two teams sit either side of the hall and everyone is given a number.
A skittle is placed in the middle of the floor with a chair at each end of the hall and a tennis ball on each one.
When a number is called the two players with that number run to their designated chair, sit down and throw
the tennis ball at the skittle, each gets two chances and the one who knocks the skittle down first gets a point.
115.Fumball
This is in individual competitive game to develop skill in catching and accurate, quick throwing.
A line is drawn on the ground parallel to and about 3 metres away from the wall, and another line at about
waist height on the wall.
The players stand behind the line and one throws the ball at the wall. It has to hit below the line.
The ball must be caught cleanly by whoever is closest to it when it bounces back. If they fumble it, miss it or it
hits them, they have to run to the wall and touch the wall before another player can retrieve the ball and throw
it at the wall.
If the second Scout fumbles it, or it hits the wall above the line, they too have to run and touch the wall before
someone else throws the ball at it, and so on.....
If the ball hits the wall before the Scout touches it, he/she either loses a life.
This is a fast and chaotic game, and it needs careful control, but the Scouts (and older Cubs) enjoy it very much.
116. Obstacle Course
Make an Obstacle Course out of the chairs etc. define a route to be used.
All members of the Patrol must complete the course in turn. Or this can be a race between patrols.

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117.Beach ball
The game involves keeping a beach ball in the air. The group stand in a circle and try to keep the ball up for at
least 100 touches. This figure increases as it is reached.
To increase the difficulty add the rule of only fingertips to keep the ball up, then only 1 touch per person in a
row so people have to work as a team.
If the ball touches the floor or a rule is broken the count starts again from 0.
First patrol to 100 wins
118 A Bit Of A Handful
The items as described within the equipment list are placed on a table/floor at the end of a room opposite the
associated team.(each team must have the same items in each pile)
On the word go, the first member of the team walks briskly/runs to the table and selects the first item of
equipment, picks it up and returns to his team, passes it on to the next person who goes to the table and
collects a second item of equipment and returns with both pieces to his team, passes it on to the third
person.....and so on.
The team who gets all of the equipment from the table to the team wins.
The idea is that they should collect the item which will carry most equipment, ie the box, first, and place the
rest of the equipment in it - and leave the heaviest item till last....they usually don't do this.
If they drop anything they must stop, pick it up and continue on.
It may be made more complicated by placing obstacles in the path for them to negotiate but safety is
paramount - obstacles should only be used for the older sections.
Idea of things to place on table i.e. wellingtons(1 off), coat, hat, scarf, magazine, rope, ball, bowl, bamboo cane
- (anything in the hut is ideal but each team must have the same)
119. Caterpillar Relay
The first scout runs up the hall and back, he then puts his arm between his legs and grabs the 2nd scouts hand,
they then run up the hall and back.
Each scout joins the chain until the whole Patrol are linked.
First patrol to finish wins
120. Three Chair Relay
1. The first two Scouts have to get up the length of the hall and back using the 3 chairs.
2. All members of the Patrol must go up and back at least once.
3. Scouts must not touch the floor, nor move a chair whilst standing on it (no bouncing!!!.)
From here on is a games selection of my own divided into different Categories for ease of selection

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IDEAS AND TIPS

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This is just a list of some ideas to help in the organisation and running of the games.
Sin Bin
It is often a problem in games where the people who are out lose interest in the game and start to mess
about. The Sin Bin gets over this problem very nicely. Somewhere in the hall you put six chairs in a line,
this is the Sin Bin. As each person is out they go and sit in the first vacant chair in the line. When the line
of chairs is filled up, the next person out changes places with the first person who was out who then goes
back into the game. This can be continued for as long as the games last and keeps the boys interested in
the games.
How To Get Equal Size/Weight Teams
In many games where there are two teams, it is a good idea if opponents are similar sizes. An easy way of
achieving this is given below: Get all the lads to line up at one side of the hall, tallest at the left shortest to
the right. Tell the lads to count off in twos down the line. Get all the number two's to take two steps
forward. You now have two teams, get each team to count off left to right 1 to N. Tell team 2 to walk in a
line anticlockwise around the hall until they are lined up along the opposite wall of the hall. You will now
have two teams of boys where each number on one team has an opponent on the other team of a similar
size. Another advantage of this system is that if lads have to race to the centre, they will have an equal
distance to run.
Motion Detectors
It is often useful to know when an object has been moved beyond a certain amount or with what severity
it has been moved. There are many ways of doing this some of these are listed below:
• An oblong tobacco tin with a layer of paper punch chads sprinkled in the bottom. A thin layer of
something sticky such as syrup is smeared on the underside of the lid and the lid placed on the tin. If the
tin is tipped over or subjected to violent movements, some of the bits of papers will stick to the lid.
Penalty points may then be deducted for the number of chads that are stuck to the lid of the tin.
• A number of small ball bearings on a dish inside a box. Any slight movement will cause the balls
to move. Severe movements will cause the balls to roll off the dish. Penalty points are taken off for every
ball off the dish.
• When laying out obstacle courses or minefields, it is nice to have trip lines that will operate
switches to set off lamps, buzzers etc. A simple but effective switch for this can be made from a spring
loaded wooden clothes peg. A metal drawing pin or thumb tack is pushed into the inside of each jaw and
a wire is connected to each one. The heads of the drawing pins are the switch contacts. A piece of card
connected to your trip line is pushed between the contacts to open the switch. When a player snags your
trip line, the card is pulled from the jaws of the clothes peg and the circuit is made. How you fix the
clothes pegs is left for you to decide.
Pressure Pad
What devious people we leaders are, but isn't it fun. How about pressure pad switches to put on the floor
which will switch on a circuit when stepped on. You can make these very easily and can throw them away
when the game is finished. All you need is two sheets of aluminium foil about the size of a standard sheet
of paper for each switch and some paper or plastic drinking straws. The aluminium foil should be as flat
as possible. Connect a wire to each sheet using a small crocodile clip or paper clip. Lay one sheet on the
ground where it is likely to be stepped on. On top of this lay some drinking straws, these are to keep the
two sheets apart. Lay the second sheet on top of the straws. Wires can be taped to the floor or covered
with carpet. [Connect the wires to a battery and small light bulb. when the sheets of aluminum foil touch
each other, the bulb should light up.]

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Emergency Games Box
Over the years this will prove to be a real blessing.. Listed below is a list of items that you could put
together to make an emergency games box.
• A large bag of elastic bands (rubber bands).
• Boxes of chalk, white and coloured.
• 4 candles or night lights, 1 per patrol.
• Boxes of safety matches.
• A miniature cricket bat, wicket and small soft ball for indoor cricket.
• Ball point pens.
• Markers or felt tip pens.
• Short lengths of soft white rope with the ends whipped for knotting games.
• Assorted balloons.
• Pipe cleaners.
• A reel of cotton for making trip lines for minefields.
• Roll of sticky tape.
• BluTak or similar for sticking things to walls.
• A couple of large dice.
• Blank cards or small sheets of paper for writing instructions.
• Box of thumb tacks or drawing pins.
• A small torch (flashlight) with spare bulb and rechargeable batteries.
• 4 small pairs of scissors.
• A pack of playing cards.
• A packet of AlkaSeltzer tablets or similar.
• Various whistles and noise makers.
• Paper clips
• Safety pins
• 4 triangular bandages
• 4 orange plastic 'Track cones' (highway departments also use these)
• Cloth strips in 3 colours strips (each) are 3 inches wide and 18 inches long (great for arm bands or
blindfolds) strips are 6 inches wide, with an overhand knot in the middle (great for 'Bacon', or 'Capture'
flags)
Giving Out Instructions
You will find that prior to starting a game, it will help if you get the lads to sit down when giving the
instructions on how the game is to be played. This ensures that they are not walking about or looking
somewhere else, so they are more likely to be listening to what you are saying.
Leaders Are Fragile
Please try not to get involved with actually playing the games. Although we as leaders are probably a lot
bigger than the lads, we are also more fragile. By this I don't mean that we are all a load of old codgers,
but we don't heal as quickly and our bones are more brittle. TAKE CARE!!!!!

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NOPREPARATION GAMES

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The games in this chapter are all really easy to set up. Many of them needing no equipment others
requiring equipment which you are likely to have at hand.
121. Ankle Grasp
Gear Required = Chalk
Draw a ring 6' in diameter. The contestants enter the ring, stoop over and grasp their ankles. The object of
the game is to push your opponent over or to make him let go of his ankles. The player is automatically
disqualified if he steps out of the circle.
122. Australian Circle Game
Gear Required = 2 Tennis balls
A player stands in the centre of a circle, holding a tennis ball. He tries to throw this ball to someone in the
circle who will drop it. Another ball is also being passed around the circle from one boy to another. The
player in the centre may throw his ball to anyone, but he usually throws it to the boy about to receive the
ball being passed around the circle. If either ball is dropped, the one who dropped it changes places with
the boy in the centre.
123.Blind man's Knot
Gear Required = A rope per player, A blindfold per player
The squad is blindfolded. The leader passes down the line, holding a piece of cord knotted in one of the
familiar knots. Each boy may finger it for ten seconds to discover which knot it is. The squad is then
provided with a cord. At the word "Go" each blind player makes the knot he considers the right one. The
quickest (if correct) wins.
124. Bomb the Bridges
Gear Required = 24 tennis balls
The players stand scattered around the hall with their legs around 2 feet apart. Each player's legs form a
'bridge' which may be bombed. To bomb a bridge, a tennis ball must be thrown between the player's legs
(hitting a player's legs is not enough). Once bombed the player is out and must sit down. However, they
may still take part by continuing to throw the tennis balls to bomb other players. The last player standing
is the winner. To prevent being bombed a player may protect himself using his hands to catch or deflect
the tennis ball. Players may not move their feet or crouch to prevent being 'hit'. Balls which are out of
reach may be retrieved quickly by the nearest players so that play can continue. The greater the number of
balls the harder and faster the game becomes.
125. Capture The Fort
Gear Required = 1 Soccer ball
Divide players into two sides: Attackers and Defenders. Defenders form a circle, holding hands and
facing outward, with their captain in the centre. Attackers surround the fort at about eight or ten paces
distant. They try to kick a soccer ball into the fort; it may go through the legs of the defenders or over
their heads. If it goes over their heads, the captain may catch it and throw it out. But if it touches the
ground inside the circle, the fort is captured and the players change sides.

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126. Cat and Mouse
Gear Required = None
Organise the players into a rectangular grid, or maze, spaced so that they stand two arms lengths away
from their partners in all 4 directions. If you have an awkward number of players you may leave out up to
2 players they will be given roles later in the game. Before the game starts it is best to rehearse changing
the maze: Start with all the players facing in the same direction with their arms spread to their sides this
should create a number of rows. On the command 'Turn' everyone should turn round 90° don't be too
worried which way just as long as it is a quarter turn. This changes the maze from rows to columns. Two
players a 'cat' and a 'mouse' will run around the maze, the cat trying to catch and tag the mouse. They may
run around the maze and along the lines of arms but must not pass or stretch across them. You can shout
'Turn' at any point during the game to change the maze. Thus you may suddenly prevent the mouse
getting caught or put the mouse very close to the cat. When the mouse is caught start again with another
pair or start with a new mouse and allow the old mouse to 'grow' to a cat.
127. Chinese Ladders
Gear Required = None
This games only belongs here insofar as the boys are likely already arranged in the right format to play it.
The should sit down the length of the hall facing their partners, with their feet touching those of their
partners....like so. Starting at the top end of the diagram, upon command, the boys jump up, and run down
the hall over the legs of their team (who may not move those legs!) and then touch the end of the hall.
They run back around the outside, touch the top wall, and then make their way over any legs back to their
place, whence the next boy may do the same. It's a race. Note the way I have described it so that each boy
must sit down beyond the next person in his team; this helps prevent cheating by starting early. This game
can be made more interesting by providing simple obstacles around the two outside edges of the hall, eg
car tyres to get through, turned gym benches to walk along, or chairs to go under.
128. City, Town, Country
Gear Required = None
Players sit in two lines team A and Team B, each line numbered 1 to N. Player 1 in team A says to player
number 1 in team B the name of a city, town or Country. We will suppose for example that he says
'GERMANY". Player 1 in team B must now say a town city or country, beginning with the last letter of
Germany. Let us suppose that he says "YORK". Player 2 in team A now has to say a city, town or country
beginning with the letter K. This goes on all the way down the line. If a player fails to give a correct
answer or duplicates a previous answer, then a point is awarded to the other team. When the end of the
line is reached play begins at player number 1 again.
129. Compass Game
Gear Required = None
A game I used to play in scouts was the compass game. Everyone stood spread out around the room and
was told to orient themselves to 'north'. North could be real north or a convenient wall or corner in the
room. Everyone except for the caller and the referees closed their eyes (blindfolded if you don't think the
honor system will work). The caller then calls out a direction, like 'east' and then everyone turns (eyes still
closed) and points in the direction of east. The referee the goes around and taps the shoulder of anyone
not pointing in the right direction. They are out. The game continues until one player is left. It gets
interesting when you start calling headings and bearings.This is a good game as it only discriminates by
your sense of direction, which improves as you play.

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130. Compass Points
Gear Required = 8/16 Poles or a piece of chalk
This game will be found excellent practice in learning the points of the compass. Eight staves are
arranged in star fashion on the ground all radiating from the center. One staff should point due North. One
Scout now takes up his position at the outer end of each staff, and represents one of the eight principal
points of the compass. The Scoutmaster now calls out any two points, such as S.E. and N., and the two
Scouts concerned must immediately change places. Any one moving out of place without his point being
named, or moving to a wrong place or even hesitating, should lose a mark. When changing places, Scouts
must not cross the staves, but must go outside the circle of players. when three marks have been lost the
Scout should fall out. As the game goes on blank spaces will occur. These will make it slightly more
difficult for the remaining boys. To make the game more difficult sixteen points may be used instead of
eight. When played indoors the lines of the compass may be drawn in chalk on the floor.
131. Crabs, Crows and Cranes
Gear Required = None
This is a running about game which is good if you are in a large hall or outside with a lot of boys. Split
them into two teams, in two lines across the hall. There should be a gap of a few feet between them. Near
each end of the hall should be a home line. One team are the crows, the other the cranes.If you shout
cranes, the cranes team must run to their home line without getting tagged by the crows team. Any
member of the cranes that gets tagged has to join the crows team. If you shout crows, the crows team has
to run to their home line without getting tagged by the cranes team. Any member of the crows that gets
tagged has to join the cranes team.If you shout crabs they must all stand still. Anyone that moves must
join the opposing team. You start off each time with both teams lined up across the hall facing each other.
The game ends when one team has all the players. You can have a lot of fun rolling your RRRRR'S with
this. CRRRRRRRRABS, CRRRRRRROWS, CRRRRRRANES.
132. Crab Football
Gear Required = 1 ball •4 chairs
This is a version of football which can be played indoors using chairs as goal posts. The rules are much
the same as normal football with the exception that players must be in the crab position. That is on hands
and feet with back towards the ground. You may like to make additional rules to prevent the goal keeper
throwing the ball too far across the hall. For example, the ball must bounce at least once on their side of
the hall.
133. Distance Clove Hitch
Gear Required = Long Rope, Tree/Pole Twine or Maker
Using a very long rope and either a tree or a pole, the object of this game is to tie a clove hitch around the
tree (pole) without getting near the tree. Draw a circle around the object that the knot is to be tied to and
tell the boys that they must not go inside that circle. The knot can be tied, but only through the co-
operation and teamwork of the two boys. (Hint: One boy is a runner and the other stands in one spot.) We
did this at a Loggers Day for the Boy Scouts and it was as much, if not more fun for the adults to try it as
it was for the boys. It's not anywhere as easy as it sounds

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134. Dodge Ball
Gear Required = 1 ball
Divide boys into two teams. One team makes a circle and the other team stands inside it. The boys forming
the circle throw a large ball at the boys inside the circle, who are running around trying not to be hit. The
inside boys may not catch the ball. A ball hitting a boy on the head does not count. Only boys in the outside
circle may catch and throw the ball. Boys who are hit below the knee join the outside circle and try to hit
the inside boys.
Refinement:
Enter a six or patrol into the centre of the circle and time how long a team can stay in for. Passing the ball
across the circle will help catch out the more agile players!
135. Dog And Possum
Gear Required = 2 different bean bags
The Cubs form a circle. The Leader takes one bean bag (possum) which he starts on it way round the circle.
A moment later he starts the other bean bag (dog). The dog must catch the possum before it reaches the
starting point.
136. Exhaustion
Gear Required = None
The pack or troop sits in a circle and are numbered in 4's (ie 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4... ). When a player's number is
called he must stand up and run around the circle clockwise trying to catch and tag the player in front. When
tagged a player must return to his seat. The cub who is finally left wins. You may need to terminate the
round if two of the cubs are too evenly matched.
137. Head, Catch
Gear Required = 1 ball
A leader stands in a circle of boys and throws a ball to each boy in turn. When the ball is thrown the
leader shouts 'head' or 'catch' the boy must do the opposite. When a boy makes too many mistakes he is
out. The boy does not necessarily need to head the ball successfully an attempt is usually enough. Similar
to previous game but faster reactions are required.
138. Hide & Seek
Gear Required = None
We turn all the lights off in the entire church (including those intended to be left on permanently). One
scout stays in the meeting room and counts to twenty, the rest of the scouts hide anywhere (except for preset
off limits areas) in the building. "It" begins looking for the scouts. Once a scout is found, he joins "it" in
the hunt. The last scout found is the winner. The scouts especially enjoy jumping out of a dark corner and
scaring their scoutmaster.
139. Hop Knot
Gear Required = 1 Knotting rope
All the Cubs sit in a circle. With the exception of one who has the rope. On "go" he drops the rope at the
feet of one of the players, at the same time calling out the name of a knot. He then commences to hop round
the circle, while the knot is being tied. If tied correctly the tier becomes the hopper.

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140.Hot Potato
Gear Required = 1 Handkerchief
A scout is chosen as the IT. He stands in the center, while the others sit in a circle. The players toss a
handkerchief to one another; making many false moves and gestures. The IT must touch the handkerchief
while in the air. If he does so, the last to throw becomes IT. The passing cannot be delayed.
142. In The Pond
Gear Required = Chalk
Mark a big circle on the floor. This is the pond. The whole group stands around the edge. The leader is the
referee. When he shouts "In the Pond," you all jump into the circle. When he shouts "On the Bank," you all
jump out. But. sometimes he will try and trick you by saying "On the Pond" or "In the Bank." When he
does this, nobody should obey. Anyone who moves, on a wrong order, is out of the game or may pay a
forfeit and get back in.
143. Kill The Rattlesnake
Gear Required = 1 blindfold •1 rolled newspaper or stuffed hiking sock
This is a similar game to 'Whomp'em'. Jehosophat, the naughty slave, is nominated and must stand within
the circle of players. Another player is the blindfolded master. The master calls: 'Jehosophat! Jehosophat!'
and of course Jehosophat must reply: 'Yes Master, Yes Master' allowing the master to find him and hit him
with his stuffed hiking sock or newspaper. Jehosophat may move within the circle to avoid his master but
doing so may create enough noise for the master to find him.After the master has managed to find
Jehosophat (or after 2 minutes) a new Jehosophat is nominated and the old Jehosophat becomes the master.
Variation:
The hunter calls 'Rattlesnake' and the rattle snake replies by jangling keys or a tin with pebbles in it.
144. Keep Talking
Gear Required = None
This is a knockout competition, it is played in two's. Each person has to keep talking at the other person. It
doesn't matter what they are talking about, but there must be no repetition or pauses. You will need a referee
to decide the winner of each pair. We have played this several times and it has proved very popular. Each
time we have played it we have been surprised at the eventual winner. Often the younger scouts have walked
all over the older scouts in this game.
Variation:
We played this with our Boy Scouts they loved it. A likeable 8th grade 'motor mouth' won easily, his only
competition was our Jr. Asst. Scoutmaster, who was quoting plays, the Gettysburg address, etc, but
eventually ran out of material. We needed to set down a few ground rules though. The pauses had to last at
least 2 seconds, 'common strings', like letters, numbers, months, etc. could only be a maximum of 12 in a
row, you could not touch your competitor, and ONLY the (adult) judge could call a boy out for repetition.
This is a great 'I need it in a hurry' game!
145. Knotting Baseball
Gear Required = 1 Rope •Markers for bases
Same teams as baseball, but no bat or ball. Pitcher and batter each have a piece of rope. Pitcher calls name
of knot and throws his rope to anyone in the field. If batter reaches first with knot tied correctly, he is safe.
If knot tied (correctly) by fielder, reaches first before batter, he is out. If batter cannot tie knot called, he is
out. If fielder cannot tie knot called, batting side scores one run whatever else happens. Fielders can then
return ropes to second, third or home to "force" base runners. Make sure pitcher throws rope to all fielders
and not too frequently to first base.

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146. Knotty
Gear Required = A rope per pair of players
This is a game which is played by the the American Indians of Pueblo. Each scout is provided with a thin
rope that is a foot and a half long. Two players sit face to face with about 8 feet between them. One player
holds his rope in front of him and the other scout is the guesser. When the scout who is the guesser says
"Ready!" the other scout puts his cord behind him and makes any number of simple, single knots on it,
from one to four. The knots are made as fast as possible and when done, the player brings his empty hand
out in front of him. His opponent guesses how many knots there are on the cord. The guesser only has one
chance. Immediately upon the guess the rope is held out in front of the player who made the knots, in
order to prove the guess right or wrong. The scout making the knots tries to fool his opponent by only
making one knot, none, or several knots in the time it should take to make one, in order to fool his
opponent. His face can give the expression that his hands are idle when they are actually busy or vice
versa. When playing this game as a den competition, each player on each team has a turn at knotting and
guessing before the winning side can count coup. A team can have a brief conference before guessing the
number of knots made by the opposing den. In den competition it is best to have a referee such as the
Cubmaster or other leader to keep track of the score made by each team.
147. Lighthouse/Shipwreck
Gear Required = Enough blindfolds for half your group, a reasonably large room.
The Leader is the lighthouse. Half the troop (pack, company) are ships, and put on the blindfolds at one
end of the room. The other half are rocks, and distribute themselves on the floor between the ships and the
lighthouse. Please ask the rocks to keep their hands and feet in to minimize tripping. The rocks also
should not clump up. The lighthouse goes "WOO WOO" to guide the ships. The rocks go "SWISH,
SWISH" quietly to warn the ships of their presence. On go, the ships navigate between the rocks to the
lighthouse. If they touch a rock, they are sunk and must sit on the floor (and go "swish, swish" also).
When all the ships have made it to the lighthouse (or have been sunk), the rocks and ships switch places.
148. Marauders
Gear Required = A small object for each member of one team (eg. a woggle or pen etc.)
Divide the Pack into two teams. One team to stand with legs apart in a straight line (feet touching those of
the next Cub). In between each Cubs legs is a small object. The other team are the raiders and have to try
to steal the objects, without being caught. They can take them from any direction. The defender is not
allowed to move his feet, but can try to tag the raider below the elbow.
149. Motorway Crash
Gear Required = A bean bag or a similar sized object
Boys sit in sixes in a circle. One boy from each six is given the name of a car (eg. Ford, Nissan, Rolls,
Jaguar, etc.) When that name is called out those boys get up and run round the circle Various calls are
made that the boys have to react to: Join the M1Change direction Steep Hill Walk PunctureHop Fog-
Pidgin Steps AccelerateStart running CrashCollect object When 'Crash' is called the boys run back
through their own place and into the middle of the circle to pick up some item placed there. Once 'Crash'
has been called the boys can't change the direction they were running in.

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150. Buzz
Gear Required = None
This is a game from Taiwan. Players sit in a circle and start counting round the circle from "one." If the
agreed figure for the game is seven, each time the number being called includes the figure seven or is a
multiple of seven, the player keeps quiet and clasps his hands together. If anyone makes a mistake the
leader records a point against him.When the boys become good at this game, add one or two other
numbers, so they will have to keep very sharp not to get caught with numbers four, six and eight going on
at once. For one number the player clasps hands. For the second number he will put both hands above his
head. For the third number he can nod his head. Most players will find thinking of two numbers at once
difficult enough.
151. One, Two, Three
Gear Required = None
This is a game similar to 'Port and Starboard'. Start with all the players in one corner. When 'One' is called
the players must run across the width of the hall. When 'Two' is called they must run across the length.
When 'Three' is called players must go to the diagonally opposite corner. Allow the players a little
practice before you start to send off players who are the last into the correct corner and who are standing
in the wrong corner. To make the game more complex shout strings of numbers. For example 'One, One'
and 'Two, Two' brings players to the same corner they started in. 'Three, One, Two, Two' in the end
brings players along the length of the hall. The brighter players will try to work this out to avoid running
all the way.
152. Row Ball
Gear Required = 1 Large ball
Pack is divided into two teams, who sit in parallel lines about four feet apart, but facing in opposite
directions. The feet of each Cub should just touch the seat of the Cub in front. A mark is made halfway
down the aisle between the two teams. The ball is placed on this mark. When the Leader calls "row" the
players use their inner hands only and try to drive the ball to the front of their respective teams. If this is
done a goal is scored. The ball must stay on the ground. As a variation turn the teams around and use the
other hands.
153. Sardines
Gear Required = None
The 'opposite' of hide and seek. A few players go and hide in separate locations. After a delay everyone
else sets off to find the hidden scouts. When one scout finds another he must hide in the same place, until
all the players are hidden.
154. Signals
Gear Required = Various noise makers such as whistles, rattles and bells
This game is similar to the game where you shout out Port and Starboard. The players are told what
action they must perform when a certain sound is heard. Play this a few times with nobody being out, then
start taking out people who do the wrong action or who are the last ones to do the action.

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155. Sinbin Dodge Ball
Gear Required = 1 ball •6 chairs
This is yet another adaptation of the dodge ball game. A player tries hit another player under knee level
with the ball. Once a player is hit he goes into the sinbin for a short time. Players may move anywhere in
the hall to avoid the ball, but may not travel with the ball. The sinbin is a row of 6 chairs which the scouts
stand (or sit) on. At the start of the game the sinbin is empty. When the first player is hit he sits on the
foremost chair, the next player out sits in the next chair and so on until the sinbin is full. When a player
enters a full sinbin he pushes everyone along a chair. The player at the front of the 'queue' is pushed out
and goes back into the game. Thus 6 players need to hit before a player who has just entered the sinbin
can return to the game.
Refinement:
Use more than 1 ball. Refinement: Play in patrols ask scouts to remember how many times they were hit
and award points to the patrol with the smallest total number.
156. Snake/ Indian File Dodge Ball
Gear Required = 1 ball
This is a continuous game with no winners or losers. Five or six players stand in a line in the center of a
circle formed by the rest of the troop or pack. Each player in the line puts his arms round the waist of the
player in front. The object of the game is for the players around the circle to hit the player at the end of
the line or snake, below the knees with the ball. The snake can move around inside the circle to make this
more difficult. When the player at the back of the snake is struck by the ball, he leaves the snake and
moves into the circle of throwers and the player who threw the ball, joins on as the front man of the
snake. The game carries on for as long as you wish.
Variation:
One patrol is in the middle of the circle at a time and the patrols compete to stay in the circle for the
longest time.
157. Speak And Do The Opposite
Gear Required = None
I couldn't think of a better title for this, but it is fun to play both for kids and adults. Each team sends a
person to challenge a member of another team. The person challenging says something like 'I AM
PATTING MY HEAD' but in fact they are rubbing their tummy. The person being challenged has to say
in reply 'I AM RUBBING MY TUMMY' and at the same time be patting their head. If they fail to do it
properly in a given time or get it the wrong way round, then the challenging team wins a point.
158.Spots
Gear Required = 1 Felttip pen (nonpermanent!)
The pack sits in a circle and are given a number from 1 to n. (n=total number of players). It is easier for
the cubs if the numbers are in sequence and not random. One cub (number 5) starts by saying 'I am 5 spot
and I have no spots, how many spots does number 8 have?'. Cub number 8 replies in the same manner and
nominates another cub. If one of the cubs takes too long or makes a mistake he is awarded a spot which is
painted on his chin or cheek. He will then have 1 spot. This game is particularly good at cub weekends or
holidays since you can tell which cubs have washed properly!
Refinement:
Use lipstick instead of felttip pen it gives an extra incentive for the cubs to get things right.