Indoor Challenges for Cub Scouts

Tongue Depressor Hockey

• It's not exactly ice hockey, but this challenge is just as much fun to watch. To prepare for the game, divide the scouts into equal groups and have them form a line. Position miniature hockey nets about six feet in front of each team and give the first scout a tongue depressor and a ping pong ball. With the tongue depressor in his mouth, each scout must get on his knees and attempt to hit the ping pong ball into the net. Once successful, he retrieves the ball and returns to his team. A team is declared the winner once everyone has scored.

Crawling Obstacle Course

• This relay challenge requires some supplies and preparation, but the end result is well worth the effort. For each team, set up a course consisting of a six-foot pole suspended across two chairs, a bicycle tire, a bowling pin and a pair of balloons. Each scout must tie his legs together with a length of rope, then navigate through the obstacle course. He'll crawl beneath the pole, wriggle through the bicycle tire, knock over the pin with his nose, then pop the two balloons and crawl back to his group. The team to finish first wins.

Golf Relay

• For each player in this relay race, you'll need one piece of golf attire, such as a putter, hat, sweater or glove. Divide the scouts into groups of six and designate one player from each team to be the "model." Position the models in the center of the relay area and place a putting cup on the far side. When play begins, each team member runs up to his model and dresses him in a piece of golf attire. Once he's wearing all of the items, the model turns and putts a golf ball into the putting cup. The first team to sink the putt wins.

Balloon Race

• Mark off a playing area with a start and finish line. Form groups consisting of six to eight scouts and have them line up at the start. Give each group one large balloon and one small balloon. The first player must balance the small balloon on the larger balloon as he runs or walks to the finish line. If the balloon falls off, he must return and start again. When he makes it to the finish, he turns and runs back to his team, handing the balloons off to the next player. The first team whose players finish wins.

Jousting with Fingers

• This challenge may seem like a showcase of size and strength, but it's really more about dexterity and quickness. Have two scouts face toward each other and join their right hands together in an arm wrestling grasp. Each scout then extends his index finger. The first scout to touch his finger anywhere on the other scout's body, excluding the right arm, is the winner.

Paper Airplane Fun

• With a sheet of paper for each scout, you can create a game that will test running speed and engineering skill. Instruct the scouts to make a paper airplane. Designate a starting line and a finish line across the room. The scouts line up at the starting line and throw their airplanes toward the finish, then run to where their planes landed and throw again. The first scout to make it across the finish line wins.