A Purr-fect New Friend

Activity Description: Practice caring for others by working together to meet the needs of a pretend animal friend.

Items Needed:

Stuffed animal (cat or dog)
Small blanket
Bowl or blue paper for water
Toy or pretend food

Before the Meeting:

Prepare the items. (2–3 min)
- Place the stuffed animal in the center of the circle. Keep the props visable nearby.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 10–15 min):

Explore feelings with movement. (2–3 min)
- Introduce the stuffed animal in the center of the circle as a new friend. Explain how meeting someone new can be a little scary and you might feel nervous
- Show what “nervous” looks like with your body and ask all youth to show what nervous looks like for them.
- Explain how we should be brave when being nervous and kind to new friends.
- Show what “brave and kind” looks like with your body and ask all youth to show what it looks like for them.
Approach the animal gently. (2–3 min)
- Show the props and explain that the animal has had a long journey and needs care.
- Explain that first everyone needs to approach the animal slow and gently to introduce themselves.
- Take turns using a slow and gentle walk to approach the stuffed animal.
- (Optional) If the group is too active, have everyone pantomime the actions in their own space.
Meet the animal’s needs. (3–4 min)
- Call out different needs, such as a place to nap, water, or food.
- Youth work together to bring the correct item to the animal and place it gently.
Reflect together. (2–3 min)
- Sit down around the animal.
- Ask everyone to make a face that shows how you feel when you are very hungry or very tired.
- Ask them how their heart felt when we gave the animal a blanket and water.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
_{(Not an official GSUSA Group)}

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
_{(Not an official GSUSA Group)}

See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
_{(No official Groups)}

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Published on April 9, 2026, by:

Tia Kennard

Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: The information published on The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

Carpenter, Alice, et al. 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2010, pp. 7-13.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Meeting : 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! Pt. 3” My.girlscouts.org, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., https://my.girlscouts.org/content/girlscouts-vtk/en/vtk.html. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Takahama, Valerie, et al. How to Guide Girl Scout Daisies through 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2010, p. 38.

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