We’ve all been there: you’ve planned the perfect Scout meeting, but something goes awry. Maybe you’ve forgotten essential equipment, or your planned activity falls through. That’s when having a repertoire of no-prep games becomes absolutely invaluable. These are the games that require minimal to no equipment and can be pulled out at a moment’s notice to save the day.

I recently asked the Big Man in the Woods Scout Patrol to share their favourite No Prep go-to games, and the response was fantastic. Here are seven brilliant no-prep games that every Scout Leader should know.

1. Head It, Catch It

Recommended by Scout Leader Paul, this is a wonderfully simple game that gets everyone involved.

How to play: Gather everyone in a large circle with a leader (holding a ball) standing in the middle. The leader throws the ball to a scout while calling out either “head it” or “catch it.” The scout must do exactly what’s called—head the ball back if “head it” is called, or catch it if “catch it” is called. Get it wrong and you’re out.

Twist variation: Play it in reverse mode where “head it” means catch and “catch it” means head. This really tests their concentration and makes it even more challenging!

Equipment needed: Just one ball

2. Keeper of the Keys

This game goes by many names—Keys, Postman’s Game, and more—and was recommended by Rosemary and Sue. It’s perfect for developing stealth and listening skills.

How to play: Line up all the scouts at the back of the hall. One scout sits on a chair at the front, facing the wall with their back to everyone else. Place a bunch of keys under the chair. The scouts must creep up and try to snatch the keys without being heard. If the keeper hears something, they can turn around and point at the person they heard.

Advanced variation: The keeper must correctly name the scout they’ve heard to catch them out—though be warned, this only works if you’re brilliant with names!

Equipment needed: A chair and a bunch of keys

3. North East South West

A classic orienteering game mentioned by numerous Scout Leaders including Kit, Helen, and Andrew. This works brilliantly across all sections from Squirrels to Scouts.

How to play: Designate which walls of your hall represent north, east, south, and west. A Scout Leader calls out a compass direction, and everyone must run to that wall as quickly as possible. Simple as that!

Why it works: It’s fantastic for burning off energy on rainy days while reinforcing compass point knowledge. You can make it more challenging by calling out combinations such as “North” or even “southwest.”

Equipment needed: None—just know your compass directions!

4. Splat

Recommended by Hugh and Russ, this game is wildly popular with Cubs and Scouts alike.

How to play: Everyone stands in a circle with one person (the “splatter”) in the middle. The splatter closes their eyes and spins around. When they stop and point at someone, that person must duck down immediately. The two people on either side of the person who ducked must face each other and shout “SPLAT!” The slowest one is out. Continue until you have a winner.

Why scouts love it: It’s fast-paced, exciting, and gets everyone’s adrenaline pumping. The quick reactions required keep everyone on their toes.

Equipment needed: None

5. The Teapot Game

Scout Leader Michael shared this gem, and it works brilliantly with all ages.

How to play: Stand in a circle. Put your left hand out flat toward the person behind you, and point your right index finger down onto the palm of the person on your other side. On “go,” everyone tries to catch their neighbor’s finger while simultaneously pulling their own finger away. Start with practice rounds, then move to eliminations.

Why it’s great: It generates lots of laughter and works across all sections. The simultaneous catching and escaping creates hilarious chaos.

Equipment needed: None

6. Newspaper Delivery Boy

Recommended by Scout Leader Daniel with a warning: “This game is chaos!“

How to play: Everyone stands in a circle with eyes closed and hands behind their backs. The leader gives one person a rolled-up newspaper. That Scout opens their eyes and starts gently whacking the person on their right with the newspaper. The “victim” can only escape by running counterclockwise around the circle back to their spot, where they then become the delivery person and continue the game.

Important note: Keep it light and fun. This is about laughter, not actual hitting!

Equipment needed: A rolled-up newspaper

7. The 20p Game

Thanks to Eddie for this clever game that combines stealth and strategy.

How to play: Form two teams in lines, back to back, with hands behind backs and eyes closed. The leader either passes a 20p coin into someone’s hand or hides it somewhere visible. On “go,” chaos erupts! If someone has the coin, they need to reach a designated chair without the other team realizing. Teams can create distractions, pass the coin secretly—whatever it takes.

Critical rule: If any physical struggle starts, stop the game immediately. Safety first!

Equipment needed: Just a 20p coin

Bonus Suggestions from the Scout Community

The Big Man in the Woods Scout Patrol also recommended these classics:

• Wink Murder (Helen and Rosemary)
• Captain’s Coming (Johnny and Vanessa)
• Dodgeball (Simon) – Six balls, countless variations, endless fun. Every Scout troop seems to have their own rules, so make it your own!

The Always-Prepared Leader’s Secret

One wise Scout Leader shared their ultimate backup plan: always carry a pack of cards in your pocket. You can play Higher or Lower, countless card games, and save any meeting that’s gone off track.

Your Turn

As the Scout Promise reminds us, a Scout is always prepared. These games are your preparation for those unpredictable moments. They require minimal equipment—often nothing more than what you can grab from a cupboard—and can transform a struggling meeting into a memorable one.

What’s your favourite no-prep scout game? Share your go-to games in the comments below. Let’s build an even bigger resource of emergency games that every scout leader can rely on. After all, we’re all in this together, and sharing what works helps us all become better leaders.

Remember: the best game is the one that gets your Scouts engaged, laughing, and learning—even when nothing has gone according to plan!