Tiger Cub Scouts Requirements to Earn in January Meetings

With the New Year comes new adventures for your Tiger Cub Scouts. Depending on when you host your first meeting of the new year, your tigers may be extremely excited to see their friends again. Be sure to plan for a little extra time for your cub scouts to socialize and share about their holidays. This will help your scouts to refocus on scouting and earning their next adventures in the January Tiger Cub Scouts meetings. To help your scouts continue their love of Cub Scouts, we try to plan a few extra outings during the colder winter months.

As always, we begin with looking at the holidays and special events this month. If you don’t already, be sure to plan out your calendar with school breaks and days off in mind as many families plan travel over these days away from school. Depending on your winter break schedule, you may wish to plan only one meeting in January.

We usually begin back to school early in the month, so find that two is usually good. Many Tiger dens have successful made Bobcat rank and Tiger rank by this time of year and so they begin to focus mostly on electives and awards. For our January Tiger Cub Scout meeting, we are focusing on Curiosity, Intrigue, and Magical Mysteries adventure and Tiger Theater adventure.

January tends to bring in the frigid weather for us, so we plan accordingly. While your first graders may not mind being outside in the cold, most of the adult partners will prefer indoor meetings or at least a fire whenever possible. With the New Year beginning, January Tiger meetings are a great time to review the Scout Law and Scout Oath. These can be added into games or other activities throughout the month to reflect and review.

With the New Year, we often have dens that are just getting started. That’s okay. We have done for you plans for your first and second Tiger Scout meetings. Tiger meetings and Tiger outings help you to outline your Tiger Scout year, as well as a done for you Tiger Cub Scout Camping Trip to earn Tiger rank. It’s never too late to begin cub scouts and you most definitely can make Bobcat rank and Tiger rank in the second half of the year.

January Special Events

January brings with it a renewed spirit and drive for all things, even scouting. With new year’s resolutions written and people looking to improve themselves, January can be an amazing month. The month of January is known as National Braille Month and National Hobby Month which all for lots of exploring for your Tiger Cub Scouts. January is also National Oatmeal and National Soup Month, which could be fun when including some food in your meetings.

There are many special days in January that your Tiger Cub Scouts may wish to celebrate. The second week of January is National Letter Writing Week, which would be a wonderful time to write a few thank you letters to adult partners or other guests of your Tiger Cub Scout meetings. Along with Martin Luther King Jr Day, on the third Monday in January, tiger scouts could write a letter to their future self describing themselves when they are grown.

January is a month of learning new skills. January 4th is National Compliment Day, so the perfect time to teach your scouts how to give and receive compliments. You could even create a compliment book now that your tiger scouts know each other better. You could also pair a January Tiger Cub Scout meeting with National Hat Day on January 15th. Our Tiger Scouts love wearing hats, even if it is just their uniform hat. January 19th is National Popcorn Day and January 23rd if National Pie Day if your den is interested in snacks during their meetings.

We love that January is national hobby month. January 11th is learn your name in morse code day, while January 25th is National Opposite Day. January 29th is National Puzzle Day and January 31st is National Backward Day. The 31st is also National Hot Cocoa Day too if your scouts love a special warm treat. These all pair well together with The Tiger Adventure Curiosity, Intrigue, and Magical Mysteries.

January Special Activities

Many families begin to feel the winter blues in January as the days begin to get longer but are still rather short. The limited sunlight can take its toll on Tiger Scouts just as is does for den leaders. With this in mind, we love to plan special activities that our Tiger Scouts can do while inside to help reignite their passion for scouting and bring a little fun into the longer nights.

We love to introduce our scouts to puzzles of all kinds. Most Tiger Scouts are ready for 100-500 piece traditional jigsaw puzzles, especially when working together. Tiger Cub Scouts can also attempt many other types of puzzles too! We love to work on word searches, easy sudokus, mazes, simple brain teasers, cryptograms, simple rebus type puzzles, picture hunts, and spot the differences. These are great gathering activities for your tigers. We love to always print two so that the scouts can take a second one home. These simple puzzles can helps parents during these indoor weather days.

In honor of National Braille month, this can be a really fun time to teach the scouts some braille. Maybe try writing their name using the Braille alphabet. We simply draw out the dots on a notecard or piece of cardstock. Then use dots of glue on each dot to make the raised Braille letters. If scouts are really interested in learning more Braille, they can write secret messages and decode them. Along with this you could introduce sign language as well. Our scouts loved learning the alphabet and practicing their name.

We also love ice painting in January. This can be a little messy, so we encourage your to have two drop cloths or table cloths. We use one table cloth on the table and another under the table (sometimes even two).

For ice painting, you will need an ice cube tray, food coloring, popsicle sticks, flour and water. We mix 1 tbsp of flour with approximately 1 cup of water. The flour helps to thicken the paint just a little. Then pour into your ice cube tray. Add the food coloring into each cube separately so that you can make different colors. Insert a popsicle stick and freeze. I like to freeze for about 30 minutes and then adjust the popsicle sticks to make sure they are more centered, but the kids can paint with tilted sticks too. The scouts then paint with the ice cubes on a piece of paper.

Our Tiger Scouts also love snow. It can be fun to make a few different snowy recipes with the scouts. We love to use instant snow to make fake fluffy snow with just a little water. Place a little instant snow in each scout’s hands, add a few drops of water. When the snow forms, all the scouts can add their snow to a larger container. Another snowy recipe is to mix equal parts white hair conditioner with baking soda. This fake snow is our favorite packing snow and it feels cold too! Another fun snow recipe is equal parts corn starch and foamy shaving cream. This snow will pack just not as well as the baking soda version.

Our Tiger Scouts love to test out the different types of snow and we also talk about which snow is the best for building, which is the easiest to shovel, and how to walk in the different types of snow.

Most of these activities can be tied into one of the adventures or done just for fun. Below we will explore a Tiger Scout specific adventures that we love for the month of January.

Curiosity, Intrigue, and Magical Mysteries Adventure Requirements

Curiosity, Intrigue, and Magical Mysteries is perfect for January and National Hobby month! This adventure is all about learning new hobbies such as practicing magic, sign language and breaking secret codes.

1. Create an invitation to a magic show, learn a magic trick, then put on a magic show.
2. Spell your name using Braille and sign language.
3. Create a secret code. Share it with your den or family.
4. With the other Scouts in your den or with your family, crack a code that you did not create.
5. With he help of your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, conduct a science demonstration that shows how magic works. Share what you learned from your science demonstration.

Curiosity, Intrigue, and Magical Mysteries Meeting Agenda for Tiger Cub Scouts

We open this meeting by asking the scouts to create two invitations to their magic show for requirement 1B. We schedule the show for our next meeting and try to host the show at the local library. On a piece of paper, write out the necessary invitation information. Let your scouts add the relevant information below and then decorate their invitation with magic and theater drawings. We never add an RSVP, but you could definitely add one. Another option is to add a Zoom link for family members who don’t live local to be able to attend.

Next, teach your Tiger Cub Scouts two or three magic tricks. We love the jumping paperclip trick in the Tiger Handbook. Our Tigers also loved learning how to guess the card a volunteer picked, making fake snow (which could also be your science demonstration), and threading the needle rope magic trick. If you add the fake snow, you have met requirements 1A and 5.

After our magic tricks, we introduce the Tigers to Braille and sign language for requirement 2. We like to start with sign language because it gets them moving again. To introduce sign language, we explain what it is and why it is used. Then we quickly introduce the finger motions for each letter of the alphabet. Bring a sign language handout for each cub scout and let the scouts work with their adult partner to learn how to spell their name. Be sure to give the scouts some time to share.

Now it’s time to introduce Braille. For this, bring a Braille print out of the letters. We introduce Braille, what it is and why it is used. Then we challenge our scouts to write their name in Braille. Using a notecard or card stock, have the scouts make each letter in their name using a pencil for ease of erasing. Once the scouts are happy with their name, they can add dots of glue over the Braille dots for each letter to make their name raised.

Then we move on to a secret codes. Since January 11th is National Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day, we love to introduce Morse Code to our Tiger Scouts as a secret code. They can learn to what Morse Code is and use it to write their names, then they can try to figure out each other’s names in Morse Code too. Our Tiger Scouts loved learning Morse Code. You can challenge your scouts to create their own code and send each other messages or bring a message to the next den meeting.

Curiosity, Intrigue, and Magical Mysteries Crafts

With Curiosity, Intrigue and Magical Mysteries Tiger elective adventure, we include two different craft like activities. Our scouts love to write their name in Braille and conduct a fake snow science demonstration.

When writing their name in Braille, the scouts will need a copy of the Braille alphabet and to understand the 6 dot system used. Sometimes it is helpful to draw out 6 dot frames for each letter in their names so that the Tiger Scouts can more easily draw the Braille letters.

1. Prepare notecards or card stock for each scout. Lightly draw the number of 6 dot Braille frames to match the number of letters in each scout’s name.
2. Scouts write the letters of their name under the 6 dot Braille frames, one letter per frame.
3. Scouts color in the dots that correspond to each letter of their name.
4. Place a drop of glue on each colored dot and let dry.

We love to try the fake snow demonstration in January because it really does look like magic to the scouts. We make three types of snow: instant snow, baking soda & hair conditioner, and cornstarch & foamy shaving cream. The scouts love seeing the transformation and are shocked by the close match to snow.

1. For the Instant Snow, purchase instant snow and add water slowly.
2. For a cold packing snow, mix equal parts baking soda with white hair conditioner.
3. For an alternative dense snow mix equal parts cornstarch with foamy shaving cream.

Tiger Theater Adventure Requirements

We love the Tiger Theater Adventure in January as well! A visit to the library is the perfect indoor trip. This adventure is all about learning telling stories through theater.

1. With your den, discuss the following types of theater: puppet shows, reader’s theater, and pantomime.
2. As a den, play a game of one-word charades.
3. Make a puppet to show your den or to display at a pack meeting.
4. Perform a simple reader’s theater. Make a mask afterward to show what your character looks like.
5. Watch a play or attend a story time at a library.

Tiger Theater Meeting Agenda for Tiger Cub Scouts

Begin by planning to attend a library storytime or other theater event. We love to pair this meeting with our magic show, so reserving a room in the library is a must. This meets requirement 5.

We love to open the Tiger Theater meeting by creating a Tiger Scout puppet for part of requirement 3. We asked each scout to make themselves as a puppet however they would like. Some wanted to be a tiger while others wanted to try to look just like them.

Then we move on with a game of one-word charades to earn requirement 2. We use the 12 points of the Scout Law as a refresher for the Tiger Scouts after the long winter break. The scouts simply pick a word and then act out the word for the other scouts to try to guess the trait of the Scout Law. Our scouts had so much fun with this and were all laughing by the end.

Then we introduce the different types of theater in the Tiger Handbook: puppet shows, reader’s theater, and pantomime for requirement 1. The scouts have already done some pantomime with the charades, so help them to see this connection. Most scouts will be familiar with puppet shows, while reader’s theater might be new to them. A reader’s theater is basically when the scouts can read straight from the script while acting. They will still want to practice, but will not need to memorize their lines.

Our scouts wanted to make a puppet show, so we asked them to make puppets to introduce their magic show to finish requirement 3. This worked really well as our scouts and we used the Tiger Scout puppets that they made at the beginning of the meeting. To make a stage, we placed a table cloth over a table and had the scouts hide on one side with their puppets above the table. Super simple and easy for Tiger Cub Scouts.

Then our Tigers introduced their magic show with their puppets and performed their magic show for their audience.

Tiger Theater Crafts

For Tiger Theater, our Tiger Cub Scouts enjoyed making paper bag puppets and masks for reader’s theater.

Paper bag puppets are super easy. Just remember that the bottom of the bag and part of the side become the face. Where the bottom of the bag ends is the top of the face and the side then becomes the bottom of the face.

1. Turn paper bags upside down.
2. Let the scouts draw the puppet. We use pencil for easy erasing for mistakes.
3. Then scouts can color or glue scraps of paper, googly eyes, yarn, and other art supplies to create their puppet.

We love to make paper plate masks. These are great because the Tiger Cub Scouts can place over their face or wear on a string around their necks. Just like with puppets, scouts can color or glue scraps of paper, googly eyes, yarn or other art supplies to create their masks.

1. Draw an outline of the mask using pencil.
2. Then let scouts color or glue scraps of paper, googly eyes, yarn, and other art supplies to create their mask.

January Service Projects for Tiger Cub Scouts

January is a wonderful time to offer a service project for Tiger Cub Scouts. With new year resolutions and striving to do better, many families are interested in service projects at the beginning of the year. Service is such a big part of scouting and helps to grow youth that help others. Multiple adventures require service projects too and offering a few always helps those busy families.

Shoveling Snow

If you happen to live in an area where you get a lot of snow, put your Tiger Cub Scouts to the task. Spend a day helping neighbors or visit an older senior neighborhood to shovel sidewalks and driveways. See a fire hydrant? Teach scouts to shovel around the fire hydrant. Scouts can even shovel near parks or other community areas so that everyone can still enjoy the area.

Senior Center Visit – Puzzle Fun

National Puzzle Day is January 29th, so this is the perfect time to volunteer at your local senior center or nursing homes. The residents love to see the scouts and often times enjoy their tales so much. Plan a puzzle day for the residents and bring a variety of jigsaw puzzles for the residents as a donation. What a great public speaking event. The scouts could preform their magic show too!

Write Thank You Cards

Thank you cards are a great service project for the busy family. Your scouts can make cards for service men and women, first responders like firefighters and police officers, busy hospital staff, or even their teachers. Taking a moment to remember all the hard work others do is such a good reflection opportunity for your Tiger Cub Scouts. January 9th is Law Enforcement Appreciate Day, so might be a great time to thank the police officers in your town.

Book Drive

As the holidays end and children head back to school, they will need books to read. Your scouts could host a book drive to donate to children in need. If you happen to have a literacy project near you, they could also help package books for children in need.

Used Toy Drive

With the holidays ending and children filled with so many new toys, it’s the perfect time to hold a used toy drive. Work with the scouts to collect toys they no longer want but are still in good condition. Then donate these toys to a local children’s hospital, library, foster family program, domestic violence shelter, etc. Many families will happily part with toys in the beginning of the year and are actively looking for places to donate.

Donate Blankets to a Local Hospital

With the cold weather coming in, blankets are a great way to help others stay warm. Make a few no sew tie blankets with the scouts to donate to a local children’s hospital or cancer center. If your scouts can tie their shoes, they can make these easy no sew blankets.

Donate School Supplies

With children heading back to school, many will need additional school supplies. Work with an organization or local school to donate school supplies to families in need so that all children have the supplies they need for the second half of the year. Many children will need additional pencils, pencil top erasers, crayons, markers, and glue.

Tiger Cub Scouts January Outings

January is a great time to plan a few outings for your Tiger den. Usually families are looking for fun things to do with their children and really want to get out of the house. We find that planning a few outings in January also helps our scouts to be more engaged and looking forward to the rest of the scouting year. As you plan outings, be sure to have an emergency plan in place in case you need to cancel at the last minute for weather. We love a quick group text message, but many dens prefer a phone tree to ensure parents receive the communication or posting on a Facebook page.

Visit a Library for a StoryTime or Other Performance

As we plan Tiger Theater for January, we often pair this Tiger adventure with a trip to a local library. We plan to attend a special storytime or weekend theater performance at the library. This is a great way to get your scouts together and be warm inside.

Fireplace Outing

Many Tiger Cub Scouts do not have a fireplace in their home. Planning a trip to someone’s home with a fireplace can be great for Tiger Cub Scouts. You can teach about fireplace safety while enjoying a nice toasty fire. This is a great way to share stories of our holidays and spend a little time reconnecting after the winter break.

Snowshoe Hiking

January tends to be rather cold by us, but our Tiger Scouts never seem to mind. Adult partners are another story, but if we plan for a short walk, we usually have the support needed. If you happen to get snow in your area, plan a snowshoe hike with your Tiger Cub Scouts. Walking on snow is a skill that takes practice and using snowshoes can be rather difficult at first, but soon becomes second nature. For your first trip, plan a large open area, preferably flat. Ask your scouts to wear snowpants so that when they fall (as they usually do), they stay dry and have a little extra padding.

Ice Skating

January usually brings in the temperatures to allow for outdoor iceskating. We have a variety of options in our area from indoor skating rinks, manmade outdoor skating rinks and pond skating. Work with your families to determine their level of interest in the different kinds of ice skating and plan a skating party for your scouts.

Go Sledding

Out Tiger Cub Scouts love sledding. After a beautiful snowfall, plan a weekday trip to a sled hill near you. We love to ask all the families to bring a sled or two of their own. This provides a nice variety of sleds for the scouts to view, try out, and compare. Some scouts will love round sleds while others will prefer the longer sleds. Scouts may enjoy sledding with friends or sledding alone.

Be sure to remind your families to dress for the weather. Scouts will need snowpants, jackets, hats, gloves, and boots. They may also wish to bring along handwarmers and hot cocoa to stay warm while outside. We have had some luck grabbing a hot cocoa box from a local donut shop.

Ice Fishing

If you happen to live near a fishing pond or lake, plan an ice fishing expedition. This can be a little tricky with needing the right temperatures and thickness of the ice, but your Tiger Cub Scouts will have a blast. Our Tiger Scouts love fishing and ice fishing adds a little extra fun to their winter. Just be sure to clearly cover safety rules and check the thickness of the ice before beginning fishing.

We’d Love to Connect with You!

You’ve got these January Tiger Cub Scout meetings! If you are only able to plan one meeting this month, that’s okay! Don’t stress out about needing to do everything, especially with the winter break. Hopefully you found the Tiger January meeting plans a big help with your planning. Our den sure had a lot of fun.

Leave a comment below and let us know if you’ve earned your Tiger Theater or Curiosity, Intrigue and Magical Mysteries elective adventures. What worked well for you? What would you have tried differently? Did your scouts love the adventures as much as ours? If you are looking for more Cub Scout leader tips, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below.

Hi, I’m Nicole.

Here at Creatingbutterflies we provide families with practical solutions to real life problems for everything parenting, scouting, dual language, and enjoying time outdoors. We are a family of 6 with 4 wonderful becoming bilingual children who loves scouting, camping, and hiking with their family. Mom is an educator and dad is a firefighter/paramedic.