GAMES

DINOSAUR CHARADES

Circle Ten Council

Either write out the names of different dinosaurs or place pictures of them on individual pieces of paper. Fold them and place them in a hat/bowl/anything. Each boy picks a piece of paper and then acts out the characteristics of his particular dinosaur.

HATCHING DINOSAUR EGG

Circle Ten Council

Similar to hot potato or time bomb, all the boys stand in a circle. One boy is handed a water balloon, a real egg, or something else round. The music starts and the balloon/egg (a.k.a. dinosaur egg) is passed to the next boy. No one wants to be left with the dinosaur egg, because that boy is out of the game. Continue playing until there is only one boy left.

DINOSAUR DIG

Circle Ten Council

This energy-burning bone hunt is best set up in a dry sandbox, but a sheet of plastic covered with sand and set in an easily cleaned spot will work as well. Before the meeting, bury twenty to thirty dog-bone biscuits of various sizes, as well as one plastic dinosaur skeleton. Let a couple of bones peek out from the surface to give the boys a head start. Hand out a small plastic pail and shovel to each boy and give them five minutes to dig up as many dinosaur parts as possible (they must use the shovel; no hands allowed!). The boy who finds the most bones gets a prize; the one who finds the dinosaur gets to keep it or gets a special prize

DINOSAUR NEST

Circle Ten Council

Hide a nice big watermelon outside in the bushes somewhere, and send the boys out to hunt for the dinosaur's nest and bring back its egg. When they find it, cut it up and share it with the entire group

DINOSAUR MATCH

Circle Ten Council

Tape names of dinosaurs on the back of the boys, two of each name, and each boy has to find out who they are and find their match by asking questions. Be sure and use dinosaur names that the boys are familiar with.

Dino Dares You:

Longhorn Council

This game is based on an old Cub Scout game called Shere Khan. All players except one line up at one side of the play area. Dino stands in the center. Cross Dino’s area without being tagged by him. All other players want to the others all run for the opposite goal. When Dino calls out, ‘Dino dares you!” Those tagged before reaching safety join Dino in the center for the next round and try to tag the others.

Dinosaur Toss:

Longhorn Council

 Either make rings out of rope or purchase ready made rings for tossing. The object of this game is to see how many rings you can get on the dinosaur’s neck.

Sand Castle Dinosaur Building Contest:

Longhorn Council

Have an old or perhaps new sandbox? Have the boys square off a section of the sandbox for building their unique dinosaur. Award prizes for biggest, smallest, funniest, scariest and so on. Treat all the sculptors to a roaring good snack.

CATCH THE DINOSAUR’S TAIL

Sam Houston Area Council

Divide the boys into two teams. They line up single file, holding each other around the waist. The first boy is the dinosaur's head and the last boy is the dinosaur's tail. On signal, the dinosaur's head tries to catch the other dinosaur's tail. The tail tries to keep from being caught. The boys must not let go of each other. The longer the body of the dinosaur, the more fun it is to play.

SPEAR or RING THE DINOSAUR

Sam Houston Area Council

Using a large washing machine type box, draw a dinosaur on it. In the middle of the dinosaur's body draw a target using 5-6 concentric circles. Give each circle a point value. Give the first boy 3 darts (suction cup type) and on signal, he is to throw the darts at the dinosaur and score points.

Or cut out the shape of a dinosaur from cardboard or wood. Paint and decorate the cutout. Hammer nails into the dinosaur at different places. Mark each nail with a point value. This is the target. Place it 8 to 10 feet away. Have each boy throw rubber jar rings at the dinosaur with intent to ring the nails. Score one point for each successful ring or add up the number value.

Another version of this same game could be to give different parts of the dinosaur different point values. Draw a target with 4-5 small rings and give each ring a point value. Example: The head could be 20 points, the legs and arms could be 10 points, the eyes could be 40 points, the tip of the tail could be 30 points, etc.  The highest score after three throws is the winner.

Or make up your own ring toss variation.

DINOSAUR HUNT

Sam Houston Area Council

This game is good with lots of boys to play. One player is the dinosaur and another is the knight. The dinosaur and the knight stand in the center and the other players form a circle leaving enough space for a player to pass through. Then the game starts, all players forming the circle close their eyes, and the knight starts counting to ten. Meanwhile, the dinosaur tries to slip between two players. Anyone who hears the dinosaur make a sound may point to where he thinks the dinosaur is. Remember, you eyes are closed. If the knight says the direction is correct, the dinosaur must take a place in the circle. The knight becomes the dinosaur and the boy who guessed correctly becomes the knight who counts to ten. If the dinosaur succeeds in getting out without getting caught, he comes hack into the circle and continues to act as the dinosaur until someone points him out.

Dinosaur Duel:

Longhorn Council

Divide the boys and parents into two teams. Each team is a dinosaur. The dinosaurs form with players in single file, ah grasping the waist of the teammate ahead of them with both hands. On signal, the “mouth” of both dinosaurs tries to catch the “tail” of the other dinosaur by tagging him or her. When a tag has been made, the former “mouths” become “tails” for the next round.

Downtown Fossil Hunt:

Longhorn Council

Did you know that fossils can sometimes be found in the materials used to construct buildings? It’s true. So next time you’re downtown try a little local paleontology with your child. Fossils are most often found in limestone, a grayish material commonly used in older buildings (its more uniform in appearance than granite, and often looks like concrete). The fossils were water dwellers that often predate dinosaurs——ancient clams, corals, snails, sea lilies (which look like soda straws composed of small sections), and “brachiopods” (which look like clamshells). You can search for fossils on the outside of large old buildings like libraries, museums, and municipal offices. Look carefully, because each fossil will probably be smaller than a penny. “Collect” the fossils by making a list in a notebook and writing down their location. Your child might want to sketch them, too. How’s that for ancient history right in your own town?

Knucklebones

Kathy, Hiawatha Council

This game originates from the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.  Each player needs ten stones plus a master stone.  Each of the ten stones should be about the size of the end of your thumb and easy to pick up. The stones should also be somewhat flat on some surfaces.  

1.       Hold all ten stones in one hand, and catch as many as possible on the back of your tossing hand.  The ones that you don’t catch should be left on the ground.  The next play is made with the stones you were able to catch.

2.       Toss the remaining stones from the back of your hand into the air, and try to catch them all in the palm of your hand.  If you drop any, you lose your turn.  If you catch them all, lay those aside in a pile of your winnings.

3.       Now repeat steps 1 and 2 using the stones that were dropped in the first step.  The winner is the person who picks up all his stones in the fewest tosses.