There are Girl Scout activities to suit nearly any and every interest. Girl Scouts participate in a variety of activities that help them grow into confident, capable leaders while developing essential skills for life. From hands-on STEM experiments to outdoor adventures and creative arts, these experiences empower girls to explore their interests, build relationships, and make a positive impact in their communities.
Explore STEM
According to MIT, women comprised just 28% of the STEM workforce in 2023. By exploring everything from robotics to chemistry, girls learn how STEM shapes the world and discover their potential to be future innovators and leaders.
👩🔬 Mad Scientist Day – Get hands-on with chemistry, physics, and engineering experiments. Invite an expert to lead and answer questions, or book a science party provider to inspire an interest in science.
🐝 Bee Hotels – Learn about the importance of bees and then build bee hotels to create safe spaces for these fantastic creatures. Participants can earn a Save the Bees patch!
👩💻 STEM Careers – Utilize the materials provided by Girl Scouts of America to explore a variety of careers in STEM. Take it to the next level by bringing in community members in appropriate fields to present and answer questions.
Develop Life Skills
Mastering several life skills gives Girl Scouts the tools they need to navigate the real world with confidence and independence. Whether they’re learning mental health practices, communication, or gaining cooking skills, these Girl Scout activities prepare them for success in life.
🧘♀️ Yoga Session – Discuss the many physical and mental benefits of yoga, and then lead the group in a session. Or, invite a professional yoga instructor to be the guide!
🗣️ Public Speaking Bootcamp – Build confidence and leadership skills with lessons on speaking. Bring in a professional speaker or comedian for the event to inspire and be a model of communication.
👩🍳 Team Cooking Contest – Provide 3-4 random ingredients that teams have to incorporate into a savory dish or dessert. The best-tasting dish wins, but everyone should get a Cooking is Fun patch!
Grow in Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy
Through entrepreneurship and financial literacy, scouts gain hands-on experience in goal setting, budgeting, and smart decision-making. From launching creative projects and meeting with business owners, they develop the skills to become resourceful leaders and financially savvy individuals.
🦈 Shark Tank: Girl Scout Edition – Pitch product or service ideas to a panel of judges comprised of parent volunteers or local business owners. The best ideas receive a prize! A Cadette Business Creator Badge can also be earned by following all five steps.
👩💼 Girl Boss Summit – Invite successful women entrepreneurs to discuss how to start a business. Scouts can then ask questions and develop skills around goal setting, decision making, money management, and more.
👕 Clothing Redesign or Swap – Learn about budgeting and the impact of fast fashion. Invite scouts to bring in clothes to repurpose or swap with other scouts for a fun, eco-friendly twist!
Express through Art
Creative expression is a powerful way for Girl Scouts to build confidence, explore emotions, and develop unique talents. Whether through painting, music, or theater, artistic activities encourage self-expression and inspire new ways of seeing the world.
🎸 Music Lessons – Teach the scouts how music is made and offer an introduction to various instruments. Hire a local musician, such as a singing guitarist, to perform and answer questions.
🎭 Theater Workshop – Learn acting, improv, and stage presence by performing a short scene. Contact your local theatre group to see if any actors or actresses could help!
♻️ Upcycled Fashion Show – Scouts design and create their own upcycled fashion designs using old clothes. Then, host a fashion show for everyone to present their sustainable designs!
Build Relationships
Building healthy relationships is vital for young people. These fun Girl Scout events will help build meaningful connections and learn how to navigate friendships, collaborate effectively, and support one another positively.
😊 Friendship Bracelet Exchange – Build connections with fellow scouts through making friendship bracelets and discuss what makes a great friend. Take it to the next level by booking a Taylor Swift Impersonator!
💓 Galentine’s Day Party – Celebrate friendship on Galentine’s Day (Feb. 13), a holiday all about women supporting each other. Create milkshake kits and hand out this fun patch.
🔥 Ash Ceremony – A longstanding tradition, the ash ceremony involves taking ashes from one campfire and sprinkling them on the next. Through this, the scouts are reminded of the enduring legacy and bond of Girl Scouts worldwide.
Adventure Outdoors
Outdoor adventures encourage Girl Scouts to explore nature, develop resilience, and build essential survival skills. From hiking to camping, these activities foster a love for the environment while teaching teamwork, responsibility, and self-reliance.
🎥 Outdoor Movie Night – Rent an outdoor screen to enjoy a movie and nature simultaneously. Include the perfect snacks like s’mores, popcorn, and classic candy.
🧠 Escape Room in Nature – Create an outdoor escape “room” challenge with various nature-based skills, such as first aid, campfire, nutrition, map skills, and more. Or, check out this fun escape room to save the fairies!
🔎 Geocaching Treasure Hunt – Use the official geocaching website or app and this friendly guide to go on a treasure hunt. This is perfect for all age groups. Don’t forget about passing out a fitting patch!
Make a Difference with Service
By engaging in advocacy and community service, young people can become changemakers who stand up for their beliefs and fight to make the world more equitable. Whether organizing service projects or learning about civic engagement, these Girl Scout activities will help members gain the skills and confidence to make positive change.
🌳 Earth Day Tree Planting – Promote the Girl Scout Tree Promise and protect the planet from the effects of climate change by planting trees in your local community. Download the activity guide to get started.
🌊 Local Waterway Clean Up – Pollution in local waterways can impact human and wildlife health. Take a day to remove trash and debris from local rivers, lakes, or beaches.
🐶 Animal Helpers – Using old shirts, create dog toys and donate them to a local shelter. Scouts can earn the Cadette Animal Helpers Badge with a few additional learning activities.
Every troop is one-of-a-kind, and Girl Scout activities should be customized to match the unique interests of its members. By tailoring Girl Scout events to what excites and inspires your group, you’ll create meaningful opportunities for learning, growth, and fun. No matter the experience—whether it’s STEM experiments, outdoor adventures, or service projects—you will create memories and teach valuable skills that will shape them into joy-filled and confident leaders. 💚
Book something awesome for your next event! Find a variety of local musicians, speakers, petting zoos, and more on GigSalad.
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.