Activity Description: Scouts follow a story and copy gentle stretches and movements to help their bodies feel calm, playful, and strong.
- Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Me Time badge requirements.
Info Needed: Scouts learn that stretching is a way to care for their bodies and feel good. They listen to a story and copy movements described by the characters.
Items Needed:
- Printed copy of Noodle the Stretchy Cat story (See below)
- Open space to stretch and move safely
- (Optional) Paper and crayons or pencil (for reflection)
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20–40 minutes):
- Prepare for Movement (5–7 minutes)
- Find a clear spot at home or outside with enough space to stretch and move safely.
- Sit in a comfortable position and take three slow breaths.
- Gently wiggle fingers and toes to get ready to move.
- Look at the story pages and be ready to read one part at a time.
- Read and Stretch Along (15–20 minutes)
- Read each short part of Noodle the Stretchy Cat.
- When you see a movement prompt, stop reading and do the stretch.
- Adjust the motion to fit what feels good for your body.
- Movements may include reaching, twisting, tiptoeing, crouching, or bouncing.
- Move slowly and gently, stretching should feel good, not rushed.
- If tired, take a break and come back when you’re ready.
- Reflect on Movement (5–10 minutes)
- Think about which movement felt best.
- Circle or draw your favorite stretch from the story.
- Optional reflection questions:
- Which part made you feel calm?
- Which movement made you giggle?
- How does your body feel after all that moving?
Noodle the Stretchy Cat
Read the story and move as directed.
It was a sunny morning in Noodle the cat’s house.
She woke up in a cozy spot near the window.
👉 Now stretch your arms up high like Noodle waking up!
Noodle yawned, blinked her eyes, and looked around.
She was ready for a day of adventure.
👉 Reach side to side like you’re searching a room.
She tiptoed past her food bowl and peeked into the laundry room.
A basket was sitting right in the middle.
👉 Walk on tiptoes across the area.
Inside the basket were socks, lots of socks!
Noodle thought they looked like puddles.
👉 Jump side to side like you’re hopping over sock puddles.
Then she spotted a dangling string.
It looked like a flying bug!
👉 Reach one arm way up high like you’re grabbing the string.
Noodle crouched down low, like she was ready to pounce.
But the string was gone!
👉 Crouch low and wiggle your fingers like paws.
She looked up and saw her tiny human watching her.
They were giggling.
👉 Sit tall and proud like Noodle showing off her moves.
Noodle decided she was done with chasing and hopping.
She stretched her whole body and got comfy again.
👉 Stretch arms, legs, and even your face like you’re relaxing in the sun.
That was a purr-fect start to the day!
After her cozy morning stretches, Noodle felt ready to explore even more.
She padded into the hallway and heard a sound… wiggle-wiggle-squish!
“What was that?” she thought.
👉 Turn your head side to side like you’re listening for sounds.
She crept forward and peeked into the bathroom. The noise was louder now.
👉 Tiptoe across the area, as quiet as a whisker.
It was coming from the tub!
Noodle climbed up the side and looked in.
There were towels. Bubbles. And… something moving under the bubbles!
👉 Stretch your arms up like you’re climbing, then reach forward and look down over an imaginary wall.
Suddenly—POP!
A rubber duck bounced out of the bubbles and landed on Noodle’s head!
👉 Sit down and pretend a soft rubber duck landed on your head. Gasp!
Noodle giggled. Well, as much as a cat can giggle.
She playfully batted the duck with her paw.
👉 Crouch low and tap your hand forward like a paw swipe.
Then she raced into the living room, duck bouncing behind her like a chase game.
👉 Run in place like Noodle is zooming through the house.
She zoomed over a pillow mountain.
She zoomed under a blanket tunnel.
👉 Jump in place like you’re leaping over pillows. Then duck down low like crawling under a blanket.
When she reached the bookshelf, she stopped.
Her tiny human was building a block tower nearby.
Noodle sat beside them and watched the tower grow tall.
👉 Sit cross-legged and stretch your arms up like you’re building something really high.
Then, CRASH! Noodle’s tail wiggled and knocked the tower over.
Oops.
Her human laughed. “Noodle! You’re so stretchy today!”
👉 Sway gently side to side like a wiggly tail. Then giggle!
Noodle purred proudly. It had been a big day: bouncing ducks, zooming rooms, stretchy mischief.
She curled up in her favorite chair and flopped into a noodle shape.
👉 Flop gently to one side like you’re relaxing, then stretch everything one last time.
It was nap time now. But later?
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