Meeting plan

Lion / Gizmos and Gadgets

Gizmos and Gadgets Den Meeting Plan

Scouts explore motion, forces, and making a useful object from household materials. This plan uses balls, paper, and the official 2 Liter Bunny Planter activity. The activity's full directions and safety details were not verified in these notes, so the leader must review the official activity page before preparing the project.

Supported requirements

3, 1, 2

Adventure: Gizmos and Gadgets
Rank: Lion (kindergarten)
Status: Elective
Selected activities: Roll-and-compare motion test; paper flight and push/pull exploration; useful household-material planter project
Suggested meeting duration: 60 minutes
Estimated leader preparation: 45-75 minutes for collecting and checking activity materials, preparing one bottle-based project kit per Scout, and completing any adult-only cutting required by the official directions; allow 10-15 minutes for cleanup. Assumes up to six Scouts with adult partners. If directions or safe materials cannot be verified, postpone the bottle project rather than improvise cutting or assembly.

About this adventure

Scouts explore motion, explore forces, and make something useful from household materials. This plan uses balls for motion, paper for flight and push/pull comparisons, and the official 2 Liter Bunny Planter activity for the useful-object requirement. Full directions and safety details for the selected activity were not verified in these notes, so the leader must review the official activity page before preparing the project. See the adventure page for approved plans and handouts..

Safety and respect

• Check balls for size and condition, keep rolling tests on a clear floor, and prevent marbles or small objects from escaping underfoot.
• Keep paper planes pointed away from faces. Do not use pointed folds or throw toward other people.
• Before the bottle project, review the official activity directions and craft-safety guidance. Adults handle any cutting; smooth and cover edges before Scouts handle materials. Do not proceed if the official method or safe edge treatment is unclear.
• Check plant/soil sensitivities and provide a no-touch role. Use non-toxic materials and wash hands after the activity.
• Review the SAFE Checklist and Guide to Safe Scouting.

Meeting preparation

Overall preparation effort: High because the selected useful-object activity requires material sourcing, per-Scout preparation, adult-only tool work, planting supplies, and cleanup. The motion and force stations are Low if paper and balls are already on hand. If the official planter instructions cannot be reviewed or safely carried out, select a different verified activity before meeting day.

• Read the current 2 Liter Bunny Planter directions and confirm every material and safety step before preparing kits.
• Clean and prepare bottles as directed. Adults do any cutting before the meeting; inspect all edges. Do not ask Scouts to bring unclean bottles or use cutting tools.
• Gather balls of different sizes, scrap paper, and one safe planter set per Scout/adult pair. Do not assume potting soil or seeds are available.
• Arrange three stations with clear floors and waste containers. Confirm seating and adult-partner support.

Supplies

• Several safe balls of different sizes
• Scrap paper for paper-plane and paper-ball comparisons
• Officially verified materials for the selected 2 Liter Bunny Planter activity, in quantities for the group
• Table covering, cleanup materials, and handwashing access

Pre and post meeting activities for scouts

Before

Bring a Lion adult partner. No tools, bottles, or other materials should be brought from home unless the leader requests them after checking the official directions.

After

Follow any care instructions for the finished planter. If the project cannot be safely completed during the meeting, arrange a later session; do not mark requirement 3 complete based only on decoration or discussion.

Completion checklist

• Requirement 1: Scout explored motion through an activity and observed how objects move.
• Requirement 2: Scout explored forces, including push and pull or the forces shown in the selected activity.
• Requirement 3: Scout made a useful object from household materials. Completion depends on following the verified official project directions, not only preparing a craft kit.

Sample Agenda

Leader notes and talking points

Welcome and opening (0:00-0:05)

• Set up: Keep all tools and planter materials covered until needed.
• Say: “Today we’ll test how things move, try pushes and pulls, and make a useful object with household materials.”
• Ask: “What have you seen roll or fly?”
• Do: Explain the no-throwing-at-people rule and identify clear spaces.

Motion station (0:05-0:17)

• Say: “Let’s roll these balls from the same start line and see what they do.”
• Do: Use a level surface and balls that are safe for the group. Let each Scout roll or direct a partner.
• Ask: “Which ball rolled farther? What did you notice?”
• Check: Each Scout participates in observing motion; avoid attributing results to a cause not demonstrated.

Movement and reset (0:17-0:22)

• Do: Collect every ball, check the floor, and offer a short stretch.
• Say: “Let’s clear our path before we move to the paper test.”
• Ask: “Is anything left where someone might step on it?”

Forces station (0:22-0:35)

• Say: “A push moves something away; a pull brings it toward you. Let’s test gentle pushes and see how paper moves.”
• Do: Compare a paper plane and a paper ball in a clear direction. Demonstrate a gentle push and pull on a safe object. Follow the official force activity guidance if using its examples.
• Ask: “What changed when you pushed or pulled?”
• Safety: No pointed flights, face-level throws, or objects aimed at another person.

Transition and handwashing (0:35-0:40)

• Do: Collect paper, wash hands as needed, and set out only materials approved by the planter instructions.
• Say: “We will use the project materials only after the adults check that everything is ready.”
• Ask: “Are our hands clean and our work area clear?”

Useful planter project (0:40-0:55)

• Set up: Use only the verified official instructions and fully prepared bottles. If a step or edge treatment is unclear, stop and reschedule.
• Say: “You and your adult partner will make a planter from a reused household container.”
• Do: Adults manage tools; Scouts help with the age-appropriate assembly and decoration steps stated in the official directions. Keep soil and small parts controlled.
• Ask: “What could grow in this planter?”
• Check: The Scout participates in making the useful object. Do not count a pre-cut bottle or discussion alone as completion.

Closing and cleanup (0:55-1:00)

• Do: Clean the work area, wash hands, and review care steps verified from the activity directions.
• Ask: “What did you learn about motion or force?”
• Check: If the planter was not completed safely as directed, leave requirement 3 open and schedule a follow-up.