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Native American Indian Activities for Cub Scouts

native american activities

While the Beat of the Drum elective activity has been retired, the activity is still a great opportunity to learn about the rich culture of American Indians.  Below you'll find some activities and resources that will teach your Cub Scout about American Indian culture.

Activity opportunities include:

  1. Learn about the history and culture of American Indians or other indigenous people who lived in your area long ago.
  2. Create a legend by building a diorama, writing a story, or presenting a skit.
  3. Complete one of the following:
    3A. Make a dream catcher.
    3B. Make a craft similar to one made by American Indians or indigenous people.
    3C. Make a drum. Once your drum is complete, create a ceremonial song.
  4. Complete one of the following:
    4A. Visit an Order of the Arrow dance ceremony.
    4B. Visit an American Indian event or an event presented by other indigenous people.
    4C. Learn and demonstrate ceremonial dance steps.
    4D. Create a ceremonial dance.

Books
There are many good books about Native Americans that are available for kids.  These two have hands-on activities and can be ordered through my Amazon affiliate links.

native american history bookmore than moccasins
Native American History for Kids: With 21 ActivitiesMore Than Moccasins: A Kid's Activity Guide to Traditional North American Indian Life

Drums
When you think about Native American musical instruments, drums come immediately to mind.  Making a drum craft is quick and easy.  You can use a coffee can, Nestle Quik container, oatmeal box or even form tube used in sinking a foundation!

Legend
Use these super-cool storytelling stones to create your legend. Scouts draw the word pictures onto stones.  They can tell a new legend simply by rearranging the stones.  While you're on the Kiwi Crate site, take a look at their fun activity crates that can be delivered directly to your door each month.

Dreamcatchers
Follow these easy instructions to make your dreamcatcher.

Clothing
The lowly brown paper grocery bag can easily be transformed into an American Indian vestThis vest looks great with the addition of some Native American symbols.  Check out this vest for some good ideas on making it a bit more sturdy.  My favorite vest-making method is this one.  By crumpling up the bag, it looks more like leather!

Native American Craft
This one Native American craft will be very popular with the Scouts!  It involves using a craft stick (you do have a huge box of these, don't you?), dental floss and q-tips to make a miniature bow and arrows set!  And it actually works.  After the Scouts have made the craft, they can shoot the arrows at targets.

Housing and Shelter
The first American Indian shelter that many of us think about is a teepee.  This is a great teepee craft for younger Scouts:  Paper Bag Teepee.  For our older Cub Scouts, check these out:  Cereal Box Teepee and Burlap Fabric Teepee.

Another shelter option is a wigwam.  Here's a super-easy method to make a wigwam using only construction paper and glue.  This wigwam uses cereal box cardboard and construction paper.

Games
I found this fun Native American dice game.  The instructions on the Mountain Pulse website are a bit involved, but you could simplify them.  Using undecorated sticks would save time.  But if your Bears have earned their Whittling Chip, this would be a great way to practice their whittling skills.

I hope this gives you some great ideas to use so that your Cub Scouts can learn more about American Indian culture.  I would love to hear about your activities, so share them in a comment below.

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. If this was helpful, sign up below for more fun Cub Scout activities!

Post Holiday Boredom Busters: 10 Fun Things to Keep Kids Busy and Off Electronics | Cub Scout Ideas

Sunday 1st of October 2017

[…] 6.  Build a tee pee or wigwam, make a vest, create a game or construct a drum with these Native American ideas. […]

Loraine McCall

Monday 1st of May 2017

Thank you for having these all in one place! I love these ideas craft ideas!

Post Holiday Boredom Busters: 10 Fun Things to Keep Kids Busy and Off Electronics | Cub Scout Ideas

Tuesday 15th of March 2016

[…] // 6.  Build a tee pee or wigwam, make a vest, create a game or construct a drum with these Native American ideas. […]

Cindy Layman

Wednesday 29th of October 2014

Sherry all your ideas are so helpful !! thanks so much!!