12 Awesome Knot Challenges for Your Girl Scout Troop

Before the fun begins, make sure you've got your supplies ready! Most of these games use a few key items.

• Ropes: You'll need plenty of rope in various lengths and thicknesses. Aim for one 3-foot piece of rope for each girl, and a few longer pieces (8-10 feet) for group games. Rope that is easy to handle, like braided cotton or a synthetic type, is a good choice.

• Knots: You'll need to know these yourself! Having a visual guide or a cheat sheet is helpful. The games focus on:

  • Square Knot: For tying two ropes of the same size together.

  • Bowline: To create a non-slip loop.

  • Clove Hitch: For tying a rope to a post or dowel.

  • Sheet Bend: For joining two ropes of different sizes.

  • Two Half Hitches: For tying a rope to a post or ring.

• Blindfolds: A few bandanas or sleep masks are perfect for the blindfold challenges.

• Props: Some games require a few extra items.

  • For "Tie Up The Dog": Each girl should bring a stuffed animal.

  • For "Treasure Chest": A box or bin, a "broken" stick, a small bucket, and a couple of different-sized ropes.

  • For "Knot Trail Mix": Small bowls for each ingredient and a variety of trail mix items like M&Ms, pretzels, or nuts.

  • For "The Bean Game": A large bag of beans, along with small cups for each girl.

• Dowels: For knots that need to be tied around an object, a few small wooden dowels will work great.

Having everything prepped and ready to go will make the activities run smoothly and ensure the girls can jump right into the challenges.

Get ready for some fast-paced action! 

1. Divide your troop into two teams. 
   
   
2. Each girl gets a short piece of rope. 
   
   
3. Stretch a longer rope across the room. 
   
   
4. On "Go!", the first girl runs to the long rope, ties their piece to the end with a square knot, and races back to tag the next person. 
   
   
5. The first team to successfully tie all their ropes together with correct square knots wins!

This one's a true test of collaboration!

1. Divide your girls into two rows of girls facing each other.
   
   
2. Draw a line down the middle of your space. One group stands on the right, using only their right hand; the other stands on the left, using only their left hand. 
   
   
3. Have a bag with slips of paper, each naming a different knot (e.g., square knot, clove hitch, bowline). 
   
   
4. The first pair of girls pulls a slip, and using only their designated hands, they must tie the knot together. 

Note: You might need a leader to hold a dowel for knots that require it.

This classic game gets a knot-tying twist!

1. Each girl gets a 3-foot piece of rope.
   
   
2. Just like regular "Simon Says," you'll call out knot names. If you say "Simon says tie a square knot," they tie a square knot. If you just say "tie a bowline" (without "Simon says"), they do nothing. 
   
   
3. Incorrect knots, wrong knots, or tying at the wrong time count as a "miss." Three misses and a girl is out! The last girl standing wins bragging rights.

Put those tactile senses to the test! 

1. Tie 8-10 different knots (like a square knot, sheet bend, two half hitches, bowline) and place each one inside a separate fabric bag. 
   
   
2. Girls take turns identifying the knots by touch alone – they can either put their hands inside the bag or just feel the outside. 
   
   
3. Keep track of how many knots each girl correctly identifies. 

You'll be amazed at what they can "feel"!

This is a fun variation of "Mother, May I?" 

1. Line up your girls at one end of the room, each with a 3-foot rope. 
   
   
2. Call out the name of a knot. 
   
   
3. Each girl quickly ties the knot, and a leader checks it. 
   
   
4. If it's tied correctly, the girl takes one step forward. 
   
   
5. Repeat the process until a girl crosses the "finish line." It's a great way to practice specific knots!

Take the "Blind Knots" idea a step further!

1. Give each girl a rope and challenge them to tie a specific knot as quickly as possible while blindfolded or with their eyes closed. 

This really helps them understand the physical mechanics of each knot.

Teach the practical application of the bowline with this adorable relay! 

1. Have the girls bring in their favorite stuffed animal "dogs." 
   
   
2. Set up relay teams with the stuffed animals on chairs at one end of the room and the girls at the other. 
   
   
3. Each girl, in turn, runs to their team's chair, ties their stuffed animal "dog" to the chair with a bowline, and then races back to tag the next person.
   
   
4.  The first team where all members are sitting down and all their "dogs" are securely tied wins!

This game is perfect for mastering the square knot. 

1. After teaching the knot, give each girl one bean. 
   
   
2. Girls then pair up and race to tie the square knot. The faster one gets the other person's bean, now having two.
   
   
3. Girl with two beans then finds other girls with two beans and repeats the process, racing to tie the knot for more beans. 
   
   
4. Girls who lose a round simply get another bean from a "pot" and start again. This ensures everyone gets tons of practice!

Set up stations around your meeting space, each focusing on one of these essential knots:

• Square Knot: For light joining, like scarves.
  
  
• Two Half Hitches: For temporary ties around an object.
  
  
• Clove Hitch: Quick temporary hold on a post or dowel.
  
  
• Bowline: Durable, easy-to-untie loop for rescue or securing.

Create a "treasure chest" (a box or bin) with different items inside that require specific knots to secure or use. For example:

• A "broken" stick that needs to be "mended" with a square knot .
  
  
• A small bucket that needs to be "hoisted" with a bowline loop.
  
  
• Two ropes of different sizes that need to be joined with a sheet bend. 

Give your girls a list of challenges, and they must use the correct knots to complete each "quest" and unlock the treasure!

Before an outdoor adventure or hike, challenge your girls to earn ingredients for a special "knot trail mix." 

1. Assign a specific knot to each ingredient (e.g., tie a square knot to earn M&Ms, a clove hitch for pretzels, a bowline for nuts).
   
   
2.  As they successfully tie each knot, they get to add that ingredient to their bag, building their own delicious and well-earned snack for the trail!