Skates, Sledges and Snowballs

Report Copyright Infringement View in OSM UK

Description

An evening of winter games!
Session Objectives
Encourage physical activity in a fun, inclusive way
Build teamwork and encouragement
Reinforce the idea that success = trying your best
⏱ Session Breakdown
Time Activity
5 mins Opening ceremony & teams
30 mins Olympic activity stations
5 mins Whole-group finale game
10 mins Medal ceremony & reflection

Resources

Equipment Checklist
Cones
Beanbags or soft balls
Hoops or floor tape
Pool noodles or sticks
Bucket
Paper medals / stickers / chocolate coins

For old ideas
Large Fruit Box for sledge
2 Tissue boxes for skates
Rolled up socks for snowballs

Instructions

1. Opening Ceremony (5 minutes)
Leader instructions:
Bring Beavers into a circle.
Explain:
“Tonight we’re having our own Beaver Mini Olympics. The Olympics aren’t about winning – they’re about trying your best and supporting your team.”
Split Beavers into 4 small teams (lodges ideal).
Each team chooses:
A country name (UK, Italy, Canada, Japan, etc.)
A team cheer or pose

2. Olympic Activity Stations (30 minutes)
Rotate teams every 5 minutes using a whistle, clap, or call.

Station 1: Speed Skating Relay
Kit: Cones
One Beaver pretends to skate to the cone and back (gliding feet along the floor)
Tags the next Beaver
Continue until all have gone
Focus: Speed, encouragement, turn-taking

Station 2: Curling Accuracy
Kit: Beanbags or soft balls, hoop or taped target
Roll or slide the beanbag towards the target
3 attempts each
Focus: Control, patience, trying again

Station 3: Gymnastics Balance
Kit: Tape line on floor / bench / floor spots
Walk heel-to-toe along the line
Add a star jump at the end
Focus: Balance, coordination, confidence

Station 4: Ice Hockey Slalom
Kit: Pool noodles or sticks, ball, cones
Dribble the ball around cones
Walk or jog depending on space
Focus: Coordination and control

Station 5: Snowball Throw
Kit: Scrunched paper “snowballs”, bucket or use plastic balls
Throw snowballs into the bucket from a line
Focus: Aiming and perseverance
Important leader note:
No scoring or competition between teams
Praise effort, not outcomes
Every Beaver completes every station

Station 6: Ski Jump Long Jump
Kit: Tape or chalk line, floor spots / paper plates
Beavers stand behind a marked line
Jump forward with two feet together
Place a marker where they land
Each Beaver has 2 attempts to beat their own jump
Focus: Leg strength, balance, confidence
Safety notes:
Standing jump only (no run-up)
Clear landing space
Encourage safe landings with bent knees

Important leader note:
No scoring or competition between teams
Praise effort, not outcomes
Every Beaver completes every station

3. Whole-Group Finale Game (5 minutes)
? Olympic Torch Relay
Kit: One cone or rolled paper torch
Teams line up
Torch is passed carefully along the line
When finished, team sits down quietly
Purpose: Calm teamwork before the ceremony

4. Medal Ceremony & Reflection (10 minutes)
Setup:
Teams line up facing leaders
Optional: play or hum Olympic-style music ?
Medals: Every Beaver receives a medal (paper, cardboard, sticker, or chocolate coin).
Suggested wording:
Gold – For trying something new
Silver – For great teamwork
Bronze – For amazing effort
Leaders shake hands and say one positive comment per team.

Reflection Questions (ask while seated)
“What was your favourite Olympic event?”
“What was tricky?”
“How did your team help you?”

Old Ideas
Sledges: Lodges compete against eavh other by pulling one another down the hall in the sledges (fruit boxes)
Skating: Beavers put the tissue boxes on their feet and skate arounf the hall
Snowballs: The hall is divied into halves and half the colony on each side. The snowballs (rolled up socks) are given to the Beavers and after a set amount of time the side with the fewest number of socks on it wins.

Badge Links

Health and Fitness - Agility
Health and Fitness - Agility
Health and Fitness - Agility
Personal - Leader challenge
Teamwork - Challenge
Teamwork - Team game