Youth Activity Archive

Activity Description: Use an obstacle course to teach youth how to care for animals through hands-on practice stations.

Items Needed:

• Stuffed animals (each youth can bring their own)
• Small bowls
• Large pom-poms, wooden blocks, or dry beans to use as pretend food
• Measuring cups or scoops
• Hairbrushes or pet brushes
• Small cones or pool noodles
• (Optional) Painters tape to mark boundaries

Before the Meeting Starts

1. Set up the feeding station. (3 min).
   • Place a table or designated floor space at the start of the course area.
   • Set out the large pom-poms, wooden blocks, or dry beans in a container to act as pretend food.
   • Place the measuring cups and small bowls next to the food container.
2. Prepare the grooming station. (3 min).
   • Designate a middle area of the room for the grooming stop.
   • Lay out the hairbrushes or pet brushes on a stable, flat surface.
   • (Optional) Mark a waiting line on the floor using painters tape.
3. Arrange the exercise station. (4 min).
   • Line up either the small cones or the pool noodles in a straight row directly on the floor to serve as low hurdles.
   • Space the items out so there is enough room to safely jump over each obstacle one by one while carrying a stuffed animal.
   • (Optional) Mark a distinct finish line just past the final obstacle using painters tape.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 25 min):

1. Introduce the three animal care stations. (5 min)
   • Explain that animals need food, grooming, and exercise every day to stay healthy.
   • Show the feeding station equipped with pretend food, scoops, and bowls.
   • Demonstrate the grooming station with the brushes and the exercise station with the cones.
2. Complete the animal care obstacle course. (15 min)
   • Divide everyone into small groups or a single line.
   • Have them carry a stuffed animal through each station to scoop food, brush the fur three times, and jump over the obstacles.
   • Repeat the course so everyone gets a turn at every station.
3. Discuss how these actions keep real animals healthy. (5 min)
   • Gather in a circle with the stuffed animals.
   • Ask why animals need these three specific types of care?
   • Connect the activities to how real pets rely on people to stay safe and happy.

–

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)}

–

• Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!
• Choose a different Early Caring for Animals activity.