Activity Overview
Girl Scouts imagine and design a toy or game to play with a pet, then demonstrate it to their group.
- Discuss with Girl Scouts some ways to make animals feel cared for and loved.
- Divide Girl Scouts into groups, and have them come up with a game or toy to play with an animal.
- Guide them in writing about or drawing a picture of their game or toy and sharing with the group.
Leader Guidance
Say:
- Can you think of some ways you might make an animal feel appreciated?
- Animals need to have their basic needs met, which means they need things like food and water. They also need attention and kindness, and lots of time to have fun and play—no matter their habitat!
- Toys and games are an important part of exercise, especially for indoor pets. They can stretch their legs, use their problem-solving brain, and strengthen their heart!
- We need to make sure animals get the playtime they need.
- Today, we’re going to make up a game or design a toy to play with a pet.
Divide Girl Scouts into small groups. Have each group pick an animal (a common pet), or assign one, and design a game or toy that would be fun for that animal. Ask them to think about questions like, “What does this animal like to do? How can you make a game or toy that would keep it happy and active?”
Once Girl Scouts have come up with a game or toy, give them time to write about it or draw pictures showing how it would be played or designed. When finished, bring the group back together and invite Girl Scouts to share their game or toy with the group if they’d like. They can also demonstrate how it would be used and explain why the animal would have fun with it.
Optional: Have Girl Scouts make a pet-friendly toy or game with provided materials.
