5 Fun Activities to help you earn the Brownie Household Elf Badge

February 15, 2025

Time to read 3 min

The Brownie Household Elf badge is a great way for young girls to learn about sustainability and how to make their homes more eco-friendly. Girls will learn about saving energy, saving water, going natural, reusing or recycling, and clearing the air. Here are five fun and engaging activities that will help learn more.

Why Water Matters

Before we dive into the activities, let's take a moment to appreciate the importance of water. Water is essential for all life, and we need to use it wisely. Did you know that it takes 200 liters of water to make one glass of orange juice? Wow! That's a lot of water.

Here are some fun water-themed picture books for kids to learn about the importance of water:

A Drop Around the World by Barbara McKinney
Drop: An Adventure Through the Water Cycle by Emily Kate Moon
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss
The Drop in My Drink by Meredith Hooper
The Little Raindrop by Joanna Gray

Now that we understand why water is so precious, let's explore some fun ways to save it!

Ideas to Earn the Brownie Household Elf Badge

Green Shopping Bags

This activity helps girls learn about reusing and recycling.

What you need:

Old pillowcases
Fabric markers
Scissors

How to make:

Provide each girl with an old pillowcase and fabric markers.
Have the girls decorate the pillowcases with designs that promote environmental awareness.
While the girls are decorating, have an adult cut two holes on each side of the pillowcase near the open end to create handles for the bag.
Explain to the girls that using reusable bags helps reduce waste and pollution.

Water Conservation in the Kitchen

This activity helps girls learn about saving water in the kitchen.

What you need:

Paper and pencils

How to do activity:

Discuss different ways to save water in the kitchen, such as:
- Turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or washing your hands.
- Rinsing fruits and vegetables in a water bowl instead of running water.
- Using a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand.
- Collecting the water that runs while waiting for it to get hot and using it to water plants.
Have the girls brainstorm other ways to save water in the kitchen.
Encourage the girls to share their ideas and devise a list of ways to conserve water in the kitchen.

Water for What Printable

Make a Natural Cleaner

This activity helps girls learn about going natural.

What you need:

Spray bottles
Vinegar
Water
Essential oils
Measuring cups and spoons

How to make:

Provide the girls with spray bottles, vinegar, water, and essential oils.
Have the girls mix equal parts vinegar and water in the spray bottles.
Add a few drops of essential oils to create a pleasant scent.
Explain to the girls that natural cleaning products are better for the environment and their health.

Outdoor Adventures

Getting outside and exploring nature is a great way for girls to learn about the environment and how to protect it. Here are some fun outdoor activities that can help girls fulfill the requirements for the Household Elf badge:

Plant a Tree: Planting a tree is a fun and rewarding way to help the environment. Trees provide shade, clean the air, and help prevent soil erosion. Girls can work together to plant a tree in their community or at home.
Nature Scavenger Hunt: Organize a nature scavenger hunt in a local park or nature reserve. Girls can search for different types of plants, animals, and insects. This activity helps girls learn about the diversity of life and the importance of preserving natural habitats.
Visit a Park: Visit a local or state park and learn about maintaining natural resources. Park rangers can teach girls about the importance of conserving water and energy, protecting wildlife, and reducing pollution.

Saving Water Word Search

This activity helps girls learn about saving water in a fun and interactive way.

What you need:

Word search puzzle (click the link below)
Pen or pencil

How to do the activity:

Provide each girl with a copy of the word search puzzle and a pen or pencil.
Have the girls find and circle all the words in the puzzle.
Once everyone has finished, discuss the meaning of some or all the words and how they relate to saving water.

Download free word search

Earning the Brownie Household Elf badge is a fun and rewarding way for young girls to learn about sustainability and how to make a positive impact on the environment. By completing these activities, Brownies can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of saving energy and water, going natural, reusing and recycling, and clearing the air. These activities not only help Brownies earn their badge but also empower them to become responsible citizens who care for the planet. So, gather your troop, explore these fun activities, and make a difference together!

For more Brownie badge help, check out my tips and tricks for earning the Brownie Pet Badge and the Brownie Bug Badge.

Do you need more Brownie Household Elf badge ideas? Check out all these fantastic ideas on my Brownie Household Elf Badge Pinterest Board .