10 activity ideas to look after your wellbeing
Scouts offer a wide range of activities that promote and support positive mental health. Why not try some with your group? Here’s our top ten activities to help young people build confidence online, listen to their friends’ feelings and find simple, screen-free ways to relax.
Step Forward, Step Back
Suitable for: Scouts and Explorers
This is a great activity that helps young people think about being safe and responsible online.
When you run this activity, an example statement might be: ‘Step forward if you’ve seen something online that’s given you bad dreams.’ The game provides a great opportunity for young people to talk about their concerns.
How Are You? Times Two
Suitable for: Cubs and Scouts
Sometimes people say they are OK when they’re not. This active listening game, supported by the Rail Industry, encourages young people to pay attention to their friends’ feelings and to always ask twice if they’re alright.
Go on a Mindfulness Walk with GO Outdoors
Suitable for: All sections
This relaxing activity encourages young people to put away their phones and devices and use their senses to find out what makes them feel calm – using the S.C.O.U.T. approach.
Animal Yoga
Suitable for: Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts
After a full-on session of fun and games, cool down and relax with some animal poses from frog to dog and even octopus. Taking deep breaths and stretching helps to calm the body and mind.
Fun with Feelings
Suitable for: Squirrels
Everyone feels sad sometimes, and that’s OK. This activity helps young children understand and talk about different feelings, big or small, while thinking about what makes them happy.
Keepy Uppie
Suitable for: All sections
Problems can seem to mount up all at once, but we don’t have to juggle them alone. This balloon game teaches young people that asking for help makes their worries feel less scary.
Sound Fists
Suitable for: All sections
Spending quiet time outside helps us appreciate and connect with nature. Invite your group to slow down, open their ears and raise a finger each time they hear a new sound.
Feel Good Chatterboxes
Suitable for: Beavers and Cubs
With a piece of paper and a few felt tips, this activity will get your group thinking about advice and helpful reminders to cheer up friends when they’re feeling sad.
Advice could include ‘take five deep breaths’ or ‘you are loved’.
Craft a Kindness Calendar
Suitable for: Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs
One small act of kindness, like a smile or a thank you, could make a huge difference to someone’s day – and it makes us feel good, too. This activity, supported by Hobbycraft, is a creative way to think of good deeds to do for a whole month.
Find out more about the 'Craft a Kindness Calendar' activity
The Price of Honesty
Suitable for: Scouts
Being honest and kind isn’t always easy but it’s the right thing to do. In this Money Skills activity, in collaboration with HSBC UK, young people explore real-life situations and decide what the right and wrong choice might be.
A situation might be: You found a purse full of money in a public place. What would you do? How would your choice impact others?