How to earn your badge:

1. Complete one of these:

   1. Take care of an animal for at least two months. Give it the correct foods, and learn to recognise common traits and habits including how to groom, clean and exercise the animal.

   2. Help to care for a farm animal for at least two months. Know the correct foods to give it and be able to recognise common illnesses. Learn what special care you need to give before and after the birth of farm animals.

2. Then choose two of these to do:

   1. Keep a record of bird, animal or insect life in your garden, local area or park. Keep pictures, sketches, photographs or audio recordings. Do this for at least three months.

   2. Visit a zoo, wildlife park, animal sanctuary or rescue centre. Find out about some of the animals you see. What are their feeding habits and natural habitats?

   3. Join an animal, bird or wildlife society. Either take part in one of its activities or make progress in any award scheme it offers.

   4. Find out about dangers that threaten wildlife in their natural habitat. Make a poster, collage or drawing or tell other Cub Scouts what you found out.

   5. Learn and understand what you need to do and be aware of when deciding to own a pet.

How to earn your badge:

1. Choose three of these activities to do:

   You must have your leader or another adult with you for one of these activities.

   1. Imagine an event, character or scene. Now draw it using a pencil, brush, pen or crayon.

   2. Design and make a greetings card.

   3. Make a poster advertising Scouting or a Cub Scout event.

   4. Design and make a decorated book cover.

   5. Draw or paint a picture of still life or a landscape.

   6. Make a display of photographs on a subject that interests you.

   7. Make a video on a subject that interests you.

   8. Design and build a model.

   9. Visit an art gallery.

   10. Make a model out of clay.

How to earn your badge:

1. Take part in a proper warm up and warm down routine, using all the main muscle groups.

   A suitable adult, Young Leader or Scout will need to lead the routine.

   1. Warm up routine

   2. Warm down routine

2. Explain the best clothes to wear for athletics and how to be safe.

3. Take part in one of these throwing activities:

   1. Throw a tennis or cricket ball as far you can. Do one overarm throw and another underarm throw.

   2. Throw three beanbags into a bucket. Try to increase the distance each time.

   3. Throw a football or similar ball as far as you can. Do one using a chest push and another as an overhead throw.

4. Take part in two of these running activities and try your best:

   1. shuttle run 6 x 10m

   2. 50m skip with a rope

   3. 50m sprint

   4. 25m sack race

   5. 25m egg and spoon race

   6. 400m run

5. Take part in one of these team activities:

   1. 4 x 100m relay

   2. team assault course

   3. assisted blindfold race

6. Do one of these jumps and go as far or as high as you can:

   1. sargent jump

   2. standing jump

   3. high jump

   4. long jump

How to earn your badge:

1. Make a list of at least six books you have read or used recently.

   Books you have read on an e-reader count too.

2. Name the authors of your books.

   Tell your leader or other Cubs something about three of your books. At least one book should be fiction and one should be non-fiction.

3. Show that you know how to care for your books and know the benefits a library can bring to people who enjoy reading.

4. Show that you can use a dictionary and a thesaurus.

   You could show that you can use visual (pictorial), verbal, printed, or online dictionaries or thesauruses.

5. Write a review of your favourite book and share it with your Sixer, an Explorer Scout Young Leader or your Cub Leader.

How to earn your badge:

1. Learn the basic rules of safety and hygiene in the kitchen.

   Explain why they’re important.

2. Talk to your leader about the different ways of preparing and cooking food.

3. Learn what the major food groups are.

   How do they fit into a healthy diet?

4. Plan, cook, serve and clear away a two-course meal for at least two people.

   You should prepare and cook vegetables as part of the menu. Remember, an adult must supervise you for this step. Talk to the people you’re cooking for about the menu.

How to earn your badge:

1. Over three months, build up a collection of similar items.

2. Display your collection in an exciting and interesting way.

   This can include displaying your collection through photographs or using a computer/tablet.

3. Talk about items in your collection.

   Which things particularly interest you?

4. View a collection made by someone else.

   What do you like or dislike about the way it’s presented?

How to earn your badge:

1. Regularly use a bicycle, which is the right size for you, with a cycle helmet.

2. Show you can clean and oil a bicycle. Show how to pump up the tyres and mend a puncture.

3. Explain why you must lock up a bicycle when you leave it unattended.

4. Make a poster to promote road safety to pedestrians or cyclists.

5. Talk to your leader or other Cubs about the safety measures you need to take when you cycle in bad weather.

6. Choose one of these two options:

   Finish all the tasks for the option you choose.

   1. Road safety

      • Show that you can mount and dismount your bike properly.

      • Show how to keep your bicycle in a roadworthy condition. Why is it important?

      • Explain why it’s important to use lights and reflective clothing.

      • Go for a short ride in a safe place to show an adult that you can ride safely and confidently.

   2. Off-road safety

      • Find out about the safety equipment you need for cycling off-road.

      • Show that you’re able to control your bike over different types of terrain.

      • Find out where, in your local area, is safe to cycle off-road.

      • Plan and carry out a five-mile cycle ride off-road.

How to earn your badge:

1. Show how to use and take care of tools safely.

   Do this for a selection of them, like a hammer, saw, screwdriver, drill or glue gun.

2. Talk to your leader about how to work safely on your projects, especially when you’re using electric tools.

3. Learn what the difference is between hard wood, soft wood, chipboard, plywood and MDF.

   For each of them, find out what they’re best used for.

4. Help design and make something useful.

   An adult needs to supervise you.

   Show that you’re able to:

   • measure accurately

   • saw

   • join pieces of wood together in two different ways

   • use a hammer, screwdriver and drill

   • prepare surfaces and stain, varnish or paint

How to earn your badge:

1. Show that you know how to dress safely for riding.

   Explain why it’s important to wear a hard hat and the proper footwear.

2. Point out the main body parts of a pony or horse.

3. Point out the main parts of a saddle and bridle.

4. Learn how to approach a pony or horse correctly.

5. Learn how to mount and dismount a horse safely.

6. Show the correct way to sit in the saddle.

7. Show how to hold the reins correctly.

8. Show how to walk and trot safely in an enclosed area, without a leading rein.

9. Show you can do two of these skills:

   1. walking without stirrups

   2. walking on a loose rein and shortening the reins

   3. riding up and down a hill at walking pace

   4. cantering

   5. riding over a single pole or very small fence

How to earn your badge:

1. Find out what seasons are best to grow a selection of six fruits and vegetables.

   Find out what it is about those seasons that make them the right time to grow your fruit and vegetables.

2. Learn what tools you need to garden (a minimum of three) and show that you know how to use them safely.

3. Help to look after and grow at least one item in a garden or allotment for two months.

   Alternatively, grow at least two different fruits, vegetables or herbs for two months indoors or in plant pots.

   You could grow:

   • herbs such as basil or mint

   • vegetables such as lettuce or runner beans

   • fruits such as tomatoes or strawberries

4. Design plant labels for the plants you are looking after or growing.

5. Understand what mini beasts are and why they are good for our gardens and outdoor spaces.

   Visit a bug hotel and record what you find living there.

How to earn your badge:

1. Over three months, be actively involved in a hobby of your choice.

2. Show and explain to your leader or Explorer Scout Young Leader what equipment, materials and background information you have used to take part in your hobby including any safety rules.

3. Talk about your hobby including why you have chosen it and what you enjoy about it.

4. Talk to your leader about how you plan to develop your hobby, interest or skill in the future.

How to earn your badge:

1. Plan, cook and serve a simple one-course meal.

2. Wash up afterwards.

   Show how to clean a saucepan or other cooking utensils, cutlery and glasses. You could use a dishwasher for this step, including loading and unloading it.

3. Help sort out the washing. Load and unload the washing machine.

4. Iron at least two items.

   They could be things like pillowcases, t-shirts or trousers.

5. Sew on a button.

6. Help to clean and tidy a living room.

7. Clean at least two items in your home.

   They could be things like a basin or kitchen cupboard, silverware or brass.

8. Take sheets, pillow covers and the duvet cover off a bed and help to put clean ones on. Make your own bed for a week.

How to earn your badge:

1. Find out what to do about a burst water pipe, gas leak or electricity power failure in your home.

2. Identify the common causes of accidents in the home.

   How they can be prevented?

3. Find out how to protect your home from crime.

4. Find out where the nearest public telephone box is to your house.

   Where else could you make an emergency call if the public telephone wasn’t working?

5. Make a list of useful emergency numbers.

How to earn your badge:

1. Do three of the following activities:

   1. Find out about a famous person who lived in or near your area.

      The famous person could be from the past or present. Or you could learn about a famous building, monument, earthworks or other place of historical interest and visit it. Talk about what you find out with your leader or other Cubs.

   2. Collect pictures of your county, borough, district, town or village coat of arms.

      Find out what the coat of arms represents. Try to find as many different places as you can where the coat of arms is displayed. Tell your leader how many you found.

   3. Talk to someone who has lived in your local area for a long time.

      Find out about what life was like when they were young. What changes have they seen in the local area over the years?

   4. Draw a map of your area.

      Mark places of interest on it and, with other Cubs, go on a short walk in your local area. Point out any features of interest to your leader.

   5. Design a poster, leaflet or web page to advertise your area to a visitor.

How to earn your badge:

1. Regularly take part in a martial arts activity for at least three months.

   Show how you’ve improved over that time. Your martial arts activity should be recognised by your nation’s sports council.

2. Discuss with a leader the skills needed and the rules to be observed.

3. Take part in one exhibition or competition.

How to earn your badge:

1. Skill

   1. Listen to a short tune of a couple of lines and then sing it back.

   2. Listen to another tune and then beat or clap out the rhythm.

2. Performance

   Sing or play two different types of song or tune on your chosen instrument – remember your voice is an instrument too. You must perform in front of other people, either in Scouting or at a public performance such as a group show or school concert.

3. Knowledge

   1. Demonstrate some of the musical exercises that you use to practice your skills.

   2. Talk about your instrument and why you enjoy playing it. Alternatively, you could talk about the songs you sing and why you enjoy singing them.

4. Interest

   Tell your assessor about the music that you most like to listen to.

How to earn your badge:

1. Learn how to identify six different living things from two of these categories:

   • trees

   • garden birds

   • water birds

   • minibeasts and insects

   • wild flowers

   • pond dwellers

   • fungi

   • butterflies and moths

   That means you should have 12 examples in total.

2. Over three months, visit the same natural area at least four times.

   Take a note of the changes in the plants and wildlife that you see. You might visit a garden, hedgerow, canal, river lake or park. Make sure that you have an adult’s permission for the visits.

3. Learn the countryside code and how to follow it.

4. Choose one of these activities to do:

   1. Create a piece of art using natural material.

      You could do a bark or leaf rubbing, dried flower picture or maybe a collage.

   2. Use a dye that uses natural ingredients to colour a piece of material.

   3. Make a feeding station for birds. Get permission to hang it in a good position.

   4. Make a hedgehog, ladybird or bee house.

   5. With an adult pick wild edible berries, leaves or fruit. Use them in a recipe.

How to earn your badge:

1. Explain the dangers of playing on or near two of these:

   1. railways

   2. busy roads

   3. building sites

   4. cliffs

   5. canal banks

   6. sand

   7. gravel pits

   8. farmyards

   9. river banks

   10. quarries

   11. moorlands

   12. lakes

2. Show you can use at least one of these codes:

   1. Water Safety Code

   2. Bathing Code

   3. Firework Code

3. Make up a safety code of your own choice.

   It could be for car passengers, train passengers or the playground.

4. Explain what you must do if a stranger starts to talk to you.

   What must you tell your parents or carers if you are going out without them?

5. Find out how and why you might contact a helpline like ChildLine, for example.

6. Explain the best ways to stay safe while online.

   Write down some common sense rules to follow while you are on the internet.

7. Memorise your address and your home telephone number or a parent’s mobile phone number.

How to earn your badge:

1. Show that you know how to use and look after a digital camera or smartphone camera.

   Show how to change the mode, change the settings, use the zoom function, and transfer photos to another device.

2. Take at least five photos of your local area that could be used on a tourist leaflet or website.

3. Take photos while you’re on a trip, camp or another event.

   Show 10 of your best photos to someone else after the event. You could present them in a scrapbook, on a screen, in a photo book or some other way.

4. Choose one of these activities to do:

   1. Create two photos of the same thing, one in colour and one in black and white. Compare how the effects change the way the final picture looks.

   2. Make a short film on a subject of your choice.

   3. Using a series of photos, make a short animation sequence.

   4. Edit a photo using a smartphone or editing software. Explain what you have changed and why.

How to earn your badge:

1. Show a good sporting attitude in all games and sports you take part in.

2. Tell your leader about the sports you take part in.

   Find out as much as you can about your sports, especially the rules.

3. Show that you’re fairly skilled in your sports.

   Take part for three months or more in at least one of your chosen sports.

4. Bring the clothing and equipment for the sport you’ve chosen along to a meeting.

   Show how to look after them.

5. Tell a leader about the training and preparation you take part in for your chosen sport.

   How and when do you practise?

How to earn your badge:

1. Draw or take photos of 10 different traffic signs.

   Explain what they mean.

2. Show how to use the Green Cross Code.

3. Tell a leader why it’s important to have different types of pedestrian crossing.

   Explain how to use them safely.

4. Show that you know how to behave safely as a car passenger.

How to earn your badge:

1. Use a skateboard, scooter, or in-line, quad or ice skates, on at least three occasions.

2. Learn some safety rules about skating on the road and in other public places.

   Show what clothing and protective equipment you need to wear for your activity. You might include helmets, knee pads or elbow pads.

3. Show how to start, stop and turn safely.

4. Show how to fall safely and regain balance.

5. Show how you do three different manoeuvres.

   You could demonstrate travelling backwards, spinning, jumping or turning.

How to earn your badge:

1. Identify different types of snowsports.

2. Name three places you could safely take part in snowsport activities.

3. Take part in a warm up activity to prepare you for a snowsport activity such as skiing or snowboarding.

   This should be an appropriate warm up for your upper, middle and lower body.

4. Dress properly for your chosen activity.

   Show you know the importance of helmets and how to put one on correctly.

5. Take part in a taster session that covers:

   1. Naming equipment used

   2. How to get in and out of your skis or snowboard

   3. Balancing on your skis or snowboard

   4. Moving around on your skis or snowboard including;

      • Moving in a straight line

      • Controlling your speed

      • Stopping

How to earn your badge:

1. Follow your chosen sport for at least three months.

2. Find out the rules of the sport. Explain them to an adult.

3. Show you have a good knowledge of the teams and/or personalities in your chosen sport.

4. Explain what equipment is needed for the sport.

5. List some major events for the sport of your choice.

6. Describe events that you have attended for your chosen sport.

   If you haven’t been to an event, explain to your leader how you keep up-to-date with your sport.

How to earn your badge:

1. Learn the general safety rules for swimming (such as not diving into shallow water or not swimming on your own) and where it is safe to swim locally.

2. Show you know how to prepare for exercises such as taking part in a warm up.

3. Demonstrate a controlled entry, without using the steps, into at least 1.5 metres of water.

4. Swim 10 metres on your front.

5. Tread water for 30 seconds in a vertical position.

6. Using a buoyancy aid, float still in the water for 30 seconds.

7. Demonstrate your ability to retrieve an object from chest-deep water.

8. Perform a push and glide on both your front and back.

9. Swim 25 metres without stopping.

10. Take part in an organised swimming activity.