The Badge Archive

Items Needed

• None (just the group and their creativity!)

Instructions

1. Select one Scout or player to be the leader. Have the rest of the players line up single file behind the leader.
2. The leader starts moving, performing different actions (e.g., walking, hopping, clapping) and traveling through the play area (e.g., weaving around obstacles). Players must follow and imitate the leader’s actions while staying in line.
3. After a few minutes or rounds, rotate the leader role so everyone gets a chance to lead.

Variations

There are 22 different variations:

Click to Expand → Animal Parade:

1. The leader chooses an animal and imitates its movements (e.g., an elephant stomping, a bird flapping).
2. Everyone follows the leader, copying the animal’s movements.
3. The leader changes animals frequently, and the group keeps up.
4. Rotate leaders after a few rounds.

–

Click to Expand → Clap and Copy:

1. Sit in a circle and choose a theme (e.g., vehicles or superheroes).
2. The first player says a themed word while clapping the syllables (e.g., “lor-ry!” with two claps).
3. Everyone copies the word and claps in rhythm.
4. The next player adds a new word and claps the syllables, continuing the pattern.
5. Use rhythm sticks or instruments for added fun.

–

Click to Expand → Copy Cats:

1. Choose one Scout to be “it.”
2. Explain that everyone else will copy the movements of “it” (e.g., jumping like a frog, tiptoeing, or imitating animals).
3. Begin the game with the leader performing movements while others mimic.
4. Switch the leader role after a few minutes to keep the game engaging.

–

Click to Expand → Copy Cats Freeze:

1. Select a Scout to be “it” and introduce a “trick move” (e.g., hopping on one leg).
2. Everyone follows “it,” copying their movements as usual.
3. If “it” performs the “trick move,” players must freeze immediately.
4. Any player who copies the “trick move” instead of freezing is out for that round.
5. Switch roles or restart after a few minutes.

–

Click to Expand → Copy Cats Pairs:

1. Select a Scout to be “it” and introduce a “trick move” (e.g., hopping on one leg).
2. Everyone follows “it,” copying their movements as usual.
3. If “it” performs the “trick move,” players must freeze immediately.
4. Any player who copies the “trick move” instead of freezing is out for that round.
5. Switch roles or restart after a few minutes.

–

Click to Expand → Dance Train:

1. Line up Scouts, and have one person at the front act as the dance leader.
2. The leader moves through the area while dancing, with everyone else copying their moves.
3. Change dance styles frequently (e.g., slow, fast, silly) to mix it up.
4. Switch leaders after a couple of minutes.

–

Click to Expand → Detective Follow:

1. Pick one Scout to be the “detective” and have them close their eyes.
2. Silently select another Scout to be the “leader.”
3. Once the leader is chosen, the detective opens their eyes.
4. The leader starts moving in a specific way (e.g., hopping, waving arms), and the group copies them while scattering across the play area.
5. The detective observes and tries to guess who the leader is.
6. The detective has at least three guesses or keeps guessing until they identify the leader.
7. Switch roles so everyone has a turn to play.

–

Click to Expand → Do and Say:

1. Choose one Scout or adult to be “it.”
2. “It” gives verbal instructions for a movement (e.g., “Jump!”), but performs a different action themselves (e.g., hops backwards).
3. Everyone must follow the verbal instructions, not the leader’s actions.
4. Add challenges by introducing “trick moves,” such as doing several correct movements in a row before switching to a wrong one.
5. Rotate leaders to keep the game engaging

–

Click to Expand → Expression Mimic:

1. Divide players into pairs or have one Scout lead the group.
2. The leader makes a facial expression, such as happy, sad, or surprised.
3. The other players copy the leader’s expression as closely as possible.
4. Switch leaders after a few rounds to let everyone have a turn.
5. Adults can lead the game initially for younger groups.

–

Click to Expand → Follow Ladder:

1. Place a rope ladder flat on the ground to serve as the activity area.
2. Select one Scout to be the leader.
3. The leader moves through the ladder in various ways (e.g., hopping, jumping, going sideways, or crawling on all fours).
4. Everyone in the group follows the leader’s movements along the ladder.
5. Switch leaders after each round to give everyone a chance to lead.

–

Click to Expand → Freeze Follow:

1. Select one Scout to be the leader, with the rest of the group lining up behind them.
2. The leader moves in any direction and performs different actions for the group to copy.
3. At random times, the leader spins around and says something like, “Who’s there?”
4. Everyone must freeze immediately.
5. If the leader catches anyone moving, that person goes to the back of the line.
6. Play continues with the leader switching roles after a few minutes.

–

Click to Expand → Mirror Balances:

1. Divide players into pairs and have them stand facing each other.
2. One player starts as the leader and performs poses, such as standing on one leg, stretching tall, or crouching low.
3. The other player copies these poses, mimicking the leader’s movements.
4. Switch roles after a few poses, allowing both players to lead.

–

Click to Expand → Mirror Image:

1. Divide players into pairs and have them sit facing each other.
2. One player is the “leader” and performs movements, such as waving an arm, jumping, clapping, or patting their knees.
3. The other player copies these movements as if looking into a mirror (e.g., leader waves their left arm, the other player waves their right).
4. Switch roles after a few minutes to give both players a turn as the leader.

–

Click to Expand → Mirror Sequence:

1. Divide players into pairs and have them face each other.
2. One player performs two actions in sequence (e.g., reach up and clap), saying “1” for the first action and “2” for the second.
3. The other player copies the sequence while saying “1, 2” aloud.
4. Gradually extend to three or more actions if players are comfortable.
5. Swap roles after a few rounds to let both players lead.

–

Click to Expand → Music Leader:

1. Gather a selection of musical instruments (e.g., drum, triangle).
2. Choose one Scout to start as the leader.
3. The leader picks an instrument and moves around the space while playing it (e.g., stamping to a drum, tiptoeing to a triangle).
4. The group follows the leader, matching their movements to the sound.
5. Encourage the leader to play fast, slow, loud, or soft for added variation.
6. Rotate leaders so everyone has a turn.

–

Click to Expand → Obstacle Course:

1. Set up an obstacle course with cones, ropes, or chairs.
2. The leader goes through the course, adding fun movements (e.g., crawling under, jumping over).
3. The group must follow the leader while navigating the course.
4. Rotate leaders to keep it engaging.

–

Click to Expand → Pied Piper:

1. Choose one Scout or adult to start as the leader.
2. Line up the rest of the group behind the leader, leaving some space between each person.
3. The leader moves in any way they like (e.g., big or small steps, high or low movements, fast or slow, or imitating animals).
4. Everyone else follows the leader, copying their movements while keeping the line together.
5. Rotate leaders after a few minutes to give everyone a chance to lead.

–

Click to Expand → Shadow Steps:

1. Pair up Scouts and have them stand side by side.
2. One Scout becomes the “Shadow” and must follow the leader’s movements, staying as close to them as possible while mimicking their every step.
3. Add challenges like changing speed, direction, or making sudden stops to keep it exciting.
4. Switch roles after a few minutes.

–

Click to Expand → Simon’s Leader:

1. Combine “Follow the Leader” and “Simon Says.”
2. The leader adds “Simon says” before instructions to make it valid (e.g., “Simon says hop on one leg”).
3. Players only follow commands that begin with “Simon says”; otherwise, they must stay still.
4. Players who move incorrectly are out for that round.

–

Click to Expand → Sound Echo:

1. Gather everyone into a circle.
2. The first player or adult leader makes a noise (e.g., “woooo!” or an animal sound like a monkey or cow).
3. The next player copies the sound, passing it to the next person in the circle.
4. Continue until the sound has gone around the circle.
5. Try adding sound effects or phonics sounds for variety, like “bang!” or “eee!”

–

Click to Expand → Stepping Stone Lava:

1. Scatter rubber spots across the play area to act as “stepping stones” over lava.
2. Choose one Scout to be “it” and have the rest line up behind them.
3. The leader steps on the spots in creative ways (e.g., jumping sideways, taking giant steps, stepping backward).
4. The rest of the group follows the leader’s path and movements while avoiding the “lava.”
5. Rotate leaders after a few minutes for variety.

–

Click to Expand → Train Challenge:

1. Mark out a “train track” (e.g., a circle of cones or a path).
2. Choose one Scout to start as the “train.”
3. The train completes one lap of the track alone.
4. After finishing the lap, the train picks up the first “carriage” (another Scout) by linking arms or holding waists.
5. The train and carriage complete another lap, then pick up another carriage at the station.
6. Continue until all Scouts are part of the train and complete the final lap together.

–

–

For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

–

• Return to Game Time

–

References:

• Rohlf, Karen. “Mother, May I?” Blog.dressagenaturally.net, blog.dressagenaturally.net/111-mother-may-i. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.