CUB SCOUTS FUN ACTIVITIES
More Fun for Every Cub Scout
Great Cub Scout experiences don't have to be complicated. Whether you're planning a den meeting, pack activity, or family outing, explore simple ideas that bring Scouts together, encourage discovery, and create lasting memories.
Choose an activity category below to find inspiration for outdoor exploration, games, cooking, sports, creative projects, and places to visit throughout the Atlanta area. Many activities require little preparation and can be adapted to fit your Scouts' ages, interests, and abilities.
Outdoors & Nature
Fresh air, open spaces, and a little curiosity can turn an ordinary day into a memorable Cub Scout experience. Explore parks, discover wildlife, and enjoy activities that encourage observation, teamwork, and appreciation for the natural world.
Nature Walks & Hikes
Explore a nearby park, trail, or Scout camp. Encourage Scouts to observe their surroundings, identify plants and wildlife, and discover something new along the way. Choose a route appropriate for the group's age and abilities.
Scavenger Hunts & Nature Discovery
Turn an outdoor outing into a discovery challenge. Create a checklist of leaves, rocks, animal tracks, and other natural features for Scouts to find. Encourage observation without disturbing plants, animals, or their habitats.
Camping & Campfires
Bring families together for an evening of songs, stories, outdoor games, and shared experiences. Whether planning a pack campout or a simple campfire program, choose age-appropriate activities and follow Scouting America's outdoor safety requirements.
More Outdoor Activity Ideas
Try birdwatching, stargazing, gardening, kite flying, geocaching, outdoor photography, or a neighborhood cleanup. Many of these activities can be adapted for den meetings, pack gatherings, or family outings with minimal preparation.
Wheels & Sports
Get Cub Scouts moving with activities that build confidence, coordination, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. From bike rides and skating to friendly games and sporting events, there are plenty of ways to bring your den or pack together.
Biking & Cycling
Plan a family bike ride, practice bicycle safety, or organize a cycling skills course. Choose age-appropriate routes, encourage helmet use, and help Scouts develop confidence while riding together.
Sports & Team Games
Bring Scouts together for kickball, soccer, relay races, or other friendly competitions. Focus on participation, teamwork, and good sportsmanship rather than winning. Adapt activities so every Scout can take part.
Skating & Bowling
Organize a den or pack outing to a skating rink or bowling center. These activities provide opportunities to practice coordination, encourage friends, and enjoy time together outside regular meetings.
More Ways to Get Moving
Try miniature golf, disc golf, obstacle courses, playground games, hiking challenges, or a family field day. You can also plan an outing to watch a local sports team and introduce Scouts to different athletic activities.
Cooking & Food
Bring Cub Scouts together through hands-on cooking, creative snacks, and shared meals. From simple recipes to outdoor cooking experiences, food-related activities teach practical skills, encourage teamwork, and give Scouts something delicious to enjoy together.
Simple Recipes & Snacks
Let Scouts prepare easy snacks such as trail mix, fruit kabobs, or no-bake treats. Practice measuring ingredients, following directions, and keeping food preparation areas clean. Choose recipes appropriate for each age group and accommodate food allergies.
Outdoor Cooking
Introduce Scouts to outdoor meal preparation with foil-packet recipes, simple camp meals, or supervised cooking demonstrations. Practice food safety, proper cleanup, and age-appropriate cooking skills while following Scouting America's applicable activity and fire-safety guidelines.
Food-Themed Pack Gatherings
Organize a family picnic, pizza-making night, or potluck gathering. Invite Scouts to help plan the menu, prepare simple dishes, and share responsibilities. These activities create opportunities for families to connect while celebrating the fun of cooking together.
More Food & Cooking Ideas
Try a pancake breakfast, homemade ice cream, a trail-mix challenge, cookie decorating, a family recipe exchange, or a visit to a local farmers market. Scouts can also explore where food comes from, learn about nutrition, and practice preparing simple meals.
Water Fun
Make a splash with activities that introduce Cub Scouts to fishing, swimming, and exploring the outdoors around water. Whether enjoying a day at the lake or visiting a local pool, these experiences encourage confidence, teamwork, and an appreciation for aquatic environments.
Fishing & Pond Exploration
Introduce Scouts to fishing at a local pond, lake, or approved fishing area. Practice casting, identify common fish, and explore aquatic habitats. Even without catching a fish, Scouts can enjoy learning about the wildlife living in and around the water.
Swimming & Pool Activities
Plan a supervised swimming outing or pool gathering where Scouts can practice water confidence, enjoy age-appropriate games, and spend time with friends. Select an appropriate swimming location and follow Scouting America's Safe Swim Defense requirements.
Boating & Paddle Sports
Explore opportunities for Cub Scouts to experience approved boating activities with qualified supervision. Introduce basic watercraft safety, proper life jacket use, and respect for waterways while following the age-specific restrictions and applicable Scouting America aquatics requirements.
More Water Fun Ideas
Try water-themed relay games, splash-pad outings, shoreline wildlife observation, or a visit to an aquarium. Scouts can also explore water conservation, learn about local watersheds, and discover how to protect rivers, lakes, and streams.
Safety First: All swimming and boating activities must follow Scouting America's applicable aquatics safety policies, including Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat. Check age-appropriate activity restrictions before planning.
Games & Creativity
Encourage Cub Scouts to think creatively, work together, and try something new. From building race cars and launching model rockets to playing games and creating artwork, these activities develop problem-solving skills, confidence, and imagination.
Pinewood Derby & Model Building
Bring Scouts and families together to design, build, and race Pinewood Derby cars. Explore simple model-building projects that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and friendly competition. Celebrate craftsmanship, effort, and sportsmanship as much as race results.
Games & Group Challenges
Keep den and pack meetings lively with relay races, team-building challenges, puzzles, and classic group games. Choose activities that encourage participation, cooperation, and friendly competition while giving every Scout an opportunity to contribute.
Crafts, Rockets & Creative Projects
Inspire creativity through painting, woodworking, kite making, and age-appropriate rocket projects. Scouts can explore new materials, practice following instructions, and take pride in creating something of their own. Select projects appropriate for their abilities and supervision requirements.
More Games & Creative Ideas
Try a Raingutter Regatta, space-themed activity night, paper airplane contest, LEGO building challenge, puppet show, talent night, homemade board game, or photography project. Many of these activities can be incorporated into regular den meetings or special pack gatherings.
Make It Inclusive: Choose activities that allow every Scout to participate, regardless of experience or ability. For projects involving tools, launching devices, or other potential hazards, follow Scouting America's age-appropriate activity guidelines.
Places to Explore
Discover the people, places, and stories that make Atlanta special. From museums and historic landmarks to fire stations and community events, local outings give Cub Scouts opportunities to learn, ask questions, and experience something new together.
Museums & Discovery Centers
Visit museums, science centers, or hands-on exhibits where Scouts can explore history, technology, art, and the natural world. Encourage curiosity through interactive displays, demonstrations, and activities that make learning engaging and memorable.
Community Heroes & Civic Visits
Arrange a visit to a fire station, police department, library, or local government office. Scouts can meet community helpers, learn how public services operate, and discover ways they can make a positive difference in their neighborhoods.
Historic Sites & Local Landmarks
Explore historic neighborhoods, landmarks, and cultural destinations that tell the story of Atlanta and Georgia. Visits to significant sites help Scouts connect classroom learning with real places, important events, and the people who shaped their communities.
More Places to Explore
Plan a visit to a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, working farm, airport, train museum, theater, or local festival. Explore nearby colleges, nature centers, and community events for additional opportunities to introduce Scouts to new interests and experiences.
Planning Tip: Contact destinations in advance to ask about group reservations, educational programs, admission costs, and age requirements. Consider transportation, accessibility, and applicable Scouting America supervision policies when organizing an outing.
Plan a Safe, Successful Cub Scout Activity
The best Cub Scout activities combine fun, learning, and thoughtful preparation. Whether organizing a den meeting, pack outing, or family gathering, choose experiences that match your Scouts' ages, interests, and abilities while following Scouting America's safety guidelines.
Before Your Activity
- Choose age-appropriate activities. Review Scouting America's guidelines to ensure the activity is suitable for your Cub Scouts.
- Plan for proper supervision. Follow Youth Protection policies, required adult leadership standards, and activity-specific supervision requirements.
- Prepare families. Share the location, schedule, costs, transportation arrangements, and any equipment or clothing Scouts should bring.
- Consider every Scout. Plan for accessibility, dietary restrictions, medical needs, and opportunities for everyone to participate.
- Review safety requirements. Check applicable guidance for aquatics, camping, transportation, tools, and other specialized activities.
- Keep the focus on fun. Encourage teamwork, curiosity, and participation rather than competition or perfect results.
Helpful Planning Resources
Guide to Safe Scouting – Review Scouting America's policies and activity safety requirements.
Annual Health and Medical Record – Find medical forms and guidance for Scouting activities.
Cub Scout Program Resources – Explore program information and additional activity ideas.