What do we mean when we say we’re bringing all the FUN, without the filter? It means we are relieving ourselves from the pressures of being perfect and being unafraid to laugh and be silly. Girls have fun learning new skills, earning badges, and testing their abilities—but most importantly, they have fun while doing it.

Check out these cool Girl Scout activities you can do at home with family or friends! Be sure to renew your membership before the new Girl Scout year begins October 1.

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Creating “calm kits” will help us to focus and process our feelings. Whether we are feeling happy, sad, frustrated, or mad, having something to turn to during a time of need is always helpful. Take time to make calm kits with your family and then discuss what everyone put in theirs. You’ll each build a go-to source of comfort and learn a little about one another in the process.

Directions

1. Once you’ve gathered everything, decorate the box and fill it with the things that could help you feel better when life gets hard.
2. Use the sheet of paper to write a list of simple activities that make you feel good— whether you love running and making art or playing with your pet and baking, write them all down.
3. Once you’re done, fold the paper and pop it in the box to remind yourself of healthy ways to deal with stress.
4. Consider writing a pep-talk letter to yourself to remind you of your strength and resilience in tough times.
5. You might want to include a small toy, book, photo of someone who inspires you, or other trinket that makes you happy.
6. Keep your calm kit in a safe spot and know that it’s there for you whenever you need a pick-me-up!

God’s Eye or Ojo de Dios is a craft that can be traced back to the Huichol people of the mountains of Central Mexico.  The Huichol people crafted these as shields, with God’s eye in the center to watch over and protect them. The center is historically woven with black yarn or a mirrored disk to see the gods better.  Children would make these crafts so that the gods might learn who they were so they could be protected.  

Directions

1. Cross the sticks in the middle to make an ‘X’ formation.  
2. Using one of the pieces of yarn, tie the sticks together in the middle of the ‘X’ (or glue them together with glue, keep in mind this might take a while to dry).  
3. Take the yarn and wrap it over the top and then under the first stick.  The yarn should be wrapped completely around the stick. (See photos below) 
4. Rotate the ‘X’ to the left and repeat step 3.  Continue until you run out of yarn or want to change colors. (See photos below) 
5. To add another color of yarn, tie the end of the first string of yarn to the end of the next color of yarn string.  Continue to repeat step 3.  
6. When you are ready to finish, use the last 2-3 inches of yarn to tie a knot around the last string.  
7. Use a 6-inch piece of yard to make a loop and tie it to one end of one the sticks to hang your God’s Eye. (optional) 

Creative Ideas 

• Add different colored beads to your yarn to add pop of color.  
• Swap the yarn for plain or patterned ribbon.  

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Directions: 

1. Set up your workspace by placing down newspaper or setting up a bin for you to work in. This activity can get messy!  
2. Measure out 1 cup of flour and use the funnel to pour it into the empty plastic water bottle. Use a pencil to help push the flour through the funnel into the water bottle. Keep the lid off.   
3. Blow up your balloon and pinch the opening, keeping it inflated. Do not tie the end off.   
4. While still pinching the balloon shut, take the opening of your balloon and stretch it over the opening of the water bottle. If you have done this correctly, you will have a water bottle filled with flour with an inflated balloon over the opening. You might need someone to help with this step, as it might be easier with two people.   
5. If you have done this correctly, you will have a water bottle filled with flour with an inflated balloon over the opening. You might need someone to help with this step, as it might be easier with two people. 
6. Slowly release the extra air in your balloon. Be careful and take your time! Sometimes the flour will escape with the air, so make sure that you do this step over your newspaper or bucket.   
7. Tie off your balloon to secure the flour inside.   
8. Add yarn and use a permanent marker to draw a fun face!  

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When you mix them together, they react to create carbon dioxide, the same bubbly gas you find in soda. You just made lemonade soda!