Grab some of the best craft ideas for Girl Scouts to make at meetings and while camping.
Get ready for a brand new year with over 50 of the best Girl Scout Craft projects including crafts, service projects and printables! Back to Troops season is that time before the new year kicks in when leaders and girl are doing their planning. It is so important to include the girls in this time. Girl-led activities are always the most successful.
I love these Best Girl Scout DIYS For Girls of All Ages! They are do-able, fun and have purpose behind them. I have collected ten great ideas for Back to Girl Scout Troop season and put them all here in one place! Some of these ideas are great for all ages and some are more specifically geared towards certain age groups. With the changing of the school years comes the moving on (and sometimes up) for Girl Scout troops too. We call it Back to Troop Girl Scouts season!
The greatest thing that I love most about Girl Scouts is that the more simple ideas are the best ones for older girls to do WITH younger ones. Whether your troop/service unit is focusing on friendship, connection, service or even S.T.E.A.M., there is something in here for you. These craft ideas work for all kids – girls and boys – whether in scouting programs or not. Whether you use these for back to troop planning or last minute ideas, I’ll be thrilled.
Best Girl Scout Crafts Service Project Ideas
Service Projects are always the best. There is something beautiful about creating and making with a purpose. Here are some of the best service projects our troop has done over the years. I love all of these Girl Scout craft ideas.
Handmade Cards – Making cards is a great activity for all ages (and moms too)! Once the cards are made and collected, they are awesome to donate to the Ronald McDonald house. People staying there often don’t get to leave much other than to go to the hospital. This Back to Troop idea is tried and true.
First Aid Kits from Pencil Boxes – These are a great way to learn about first aid and make a difference.
Hygiene Kits for the Shelter – This one really makes an impact – especially if the girls get to deliver the kits.
Fleece Blankets for the Dog Shelter – For all the animal lovers, this is perfect.
Valentine Service Project Idea – Spread love and make a difference at the same time.
Canned Food Collection Robot – This would be super fun to build from recycled cookie boxes.
Easy Walker Pockets for Elderly – Create a way to make a difference for a local retirement home!
Hand Painted Birdhouses – Getting girls together to paint wooden bird houses is a great way to create and connect. The birdhouses can be given to a retirement home or a local park.
How to Paint Outdoor Birdhouses – Here are complete directions for painting birdhouses.
Camping Craft Ideas
If you are planning to take a camping trip this year, be sure to include lots of crafts. I put together a whole article PACKED with Girl Scout Craft ideas for this and am excited for you to check it out!
FREE Printables
Whether you are crafting to earn badges, team build, express creativity or for the fun of it – there is bound to be an idea here that is perfect for your troop!
You can grab these two in a post that I shared a while back.
If you want to make booklets for each girl with Girl Scout ideas, here you go!
Here are tons of fun printables to use during cookie season.
Sewing Project Ideas
Projects with Girl Scout Fabric – If you have girls who want to learn to sew, these projects might work great for you!
Girl Scout Tote Bag – This might be my favorite Back to Troop Girl Scouts idea of all. My troop has been carrying these bags for seven years now and they are still in great shape! The girls have been using them since they were a Brownie Girl Scout craft and they are now in high school.
Character Building Pillows – This is another sewing project to make a Character Building Pillow. It creates a tool for connection and learning the promise/law.
Felt Water Bottle Carriers – If you a felt crafter, these water bottles are a fun project that can be used for the whole year. This is one of the Best Girl Scout Crafts because it uses recycled bottle made felt.
Rainbows, SWAPS and Bridging Craft Ideas
Girl Scout Craft Activities always should include SWAPS. There are tons of amazing ideas for these but rainbows are always winners. Whether used as a bridging swap craft idea or for camp, these are all fun. Rainbow SWAPS are always a great idea. Here are a bunch of rainbow and SWAPS and Bridging ideas.
Several Other Best Girl Scout Crafts For Girls of All Ages
- Girl Scout Game Pieces with Sculpey Clay
- Friendship Bracelets
- Resin Bottle Cap Girl Scout Troop Charms
- Tie Dying Silk Scarves While Camping
- Handmade Jewelry with ImpressArt
- Girl Scout Law Game
- Girl Scout Masking Tape for the Win
- Clothespin Role Model Dolls – If you have a need to focus on diversity and what make us each unique, this a a great project using clothespins and craft thread to make role model dolls.
Crafts for Having Organized Meetings
Being organized for meetings makes a difference. We have a bucket that holds some of our materials while reminding us what we are all about. These Girl Scout craft ideas wouldn’t be complete without this bucket that can be used for storing important things.
Furthermore, girls need a place to sit. Here are TWO different ideas….a sit-upon and a sit-a-can. The Sit-A-Can is great camping storage idea to keep critters from being able to smell or detect snacks or fruity bath products. Plus, they are super fun to decorate and customize.
Also, there are LOTS Of other ideas on this blog for Back to Troop Girl Scouts.
COOKIE BOOTH IDEAS
Additionally, it is never too early to start planning for cookie season in my opinion! Check out this POST for ideas.
Tips for Girl Scout projects:
There are lots of ways to support girls in being successful with their Girl Scout crafts projects. Here are some helpful tips that are proven.
- The simple ideas can be taught by older girls to younger girls.
- Group projects are great for building friendship and connection.
- Try to incorporate Girl Scout cookies in fun new ways!
- Service projects are more fun with a personalized craft or two.
Why Painting with Kids is a Good Idea
Painting with kids is so much more than a craft project or simple activity. It is a way for kids (of all ages really) do many very important things. Here are some fabulous reasons to get kids painting.
- It helps them convey ideas and share.
- Painting gives kids an opportunity to express emotions — even ones that might be hiding deep inside.
- It uses several senses to paint and through that kids make connections.
- Exploring color, the process and the outcomes teaches cause and effect.
- When kids made handmade masterpieces, it boosts confidence.
Preparation Steps for Painting with Kids
One of the biggest factors in creating successful paint crafts with kids lies in the prep. Here are four things you can do to prepare for a great time crafting.
- Expect a little mess. Prep your area knowing that paint can spill, drip and splatter. Cover your work are with kraft paper before starting.
- Provide aprons for the kids. If you don’t want to but them, they can wear old adult sized shirts as aprons.
- Have paper towels nearby and ready if needed.
- Know the dry time of the project before starting. If there are several steps, there might be a dry time involved. Have a puzzle or activity on hand to do during that in between time. You can grab free ones here on the blog.
Girl Scout Craft Ideas for All Year Round
Too busy to make these right away?! Pin them for later! Pin this post to your favorite craft board on Pinterest and it’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready. Girl love to craft year round whether for fun, to learn and earn badges or to make a difference. I love sharing these posts and projects with you and hope that you find them to be inspiring and do-able.
If you love these best girl scout craft ideas back to troop ideas, please give this post a five star review and help me share it on Facebook and Pinterest!
Cheers to Crafting!
Laura
