How to Train Your Dragon Fun Patch (All Levels)

Oh gosh, y'all, it's been ages since I've posted! Sorry. Life's been hectic. Two troops, two homerooms, several websites, and my house is in shambles. So of course, forget the laundry. Let's update the blog!

Woohoo! I survived the holidays! 

Anyway. So, let's get right to it shall we? First off, prepare yourself for a bit of a scavenger hunt, because the fun patches we used for this were a one time special edition patch that is no longer available (sorry!). So, sharpen those Google skills, and head out to magical eBay, Etsy, and other online sites for your own Dragon Trainer fun patches. I have faith you'll find something.

We took two meetings to cover this fun patch, and used several of the suggested steps below. As with any fun patch, you're welcome to adjust as needed to best fit your troop. I did this with third grade Brownies. The list of steps runs the gamut though: you'll find fun activities for Daisies all the way up to S/A in here.

So this post is a little different. Normally I type up in great detail what we did. This time, I'm giving you a host of activities to choose from. Knock yourselves out! ;)

And if some of these won't quite work for you, do some searches for How to Train Your Dragon party games/activities. There are gobs of parenting blogs out there loaded with great suggestions that could be incorporated into a fun patch!

Awww, look at this great picture! Thanks, Google.

How to Train Your Dragon Patch Requirements

Each level completes a different number of requirements (preferably at least one from each section if possible): Daisies – 2 to 3, Brownies – 3 to 4, Juniors – 4 to 5, C/S/A – 5 or more

Feel free to adjust the suggested steps, or change the requirements to fit your troop's needs. These are suggestions only for this fun patch. 

The focus is on Knowledge, Loyalty (Friendship), and Diplomacy.

Knowledge:

1. Research dragons or other mythological creatures. Share one fact (or more) with the troop.
2. Draw a picture of your own made-up mythological creature (or make a sculpture, or write a list of its features, etc.). Can work in teams to show Friendship and Diplomacy.*
   *We did this one but a bit differently. I had each girl create her own creature and name it (Rainbow Boogers anyone? Ha!), then everyone slid their paper one girl to the left, and that girl added a new feature and new characteristic/talent to the creature, while respecting the original artist's work. It was fun! It was a good exercise in working together, in being Diplomatic by pointing out the positives, etc.
3. Write a story or poem about your favorite animal (real, extinct, or mythological/imaginary).
4. Pick a wild animal and learn about it: habitat, food, etc.
5. Learn about endangered animals. What can you do to help them?
6. Do you have a pet? How do you take care of it? Do something special for your pet (make braided leashes, decorate leashes/collars with fabric pens, look at the ingredients in the pet food, research healthy foods for pets, do something for your local animal shelter, etc.).*
   *We incorporated out Pets badge into the HtTYD meetings. It was a good fit.
7. What are some misconceptions people have about some animals (think of an animal that is viewed as dangerous – versus those that are not viewed as dangerous)? Are these views always accurate? What are some safety tips for interacting with animals (dogs, cats, ocean/beach, even insects)?
8. Play the “Which Animal Am I?” game: Write the name of various animals on slips of paper. Place in a bowl/hat, and have each girl draw one, then act out the animal. Girls guess who you are, and next one takes a turn.
9. Make paper dragons (Google “origami dragons” for instructions, and/or make paper airplanes and decorate with faces, etc.). Here's a good site: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Origami-Dragons
10. Or paper airplanes colored as dragons. Have races to see whose goes the farthest.

Loyalty/Friendship:

1. How do loyalty and friendship fit into Girl Scouting?
2. Play a collaborative game.
3. Break up into teams (buddies) and design your own team colors.
4. Design a logo for your team.
5. Use face paint for teams (HTTYD2 Dragon Races) and have relay races.
6. Pretend you are chief of your village (town/city). What are some things you would do as chief, to help your village?
7. Show your support for your “village” (school, town, sports team, etc.), by attending an event wearing its colors.
8. Create a troop banner (using troop crest or other design).
9. Write one funny fact about yourself (something you like, something you can do, etc.), but don't put your name on it. Place all facts in a bowl and draw them one at a time. Have girls try to guess who wrote what.
10. Working with a buddy: Make Viking shields with one other our of cardboard and markers/duct tape.
11. Working with a buddy: Make Viking helmets for each other out of cardboard and duct tape: http://bugbooandbean.blogspot.com/2011/04/dragon-party-armour-part-1-viking-hats.html
12. Come up with your own activity here.

Diplomacy:

1. When you have a disagreement with someone, what are some healthy ways to resolve it? What are some unhealthy ways?
2. Have a mock debate. Pick the topic (can be something serious like Animal Preservation for older girls; something less serious/more opinion-based -- like cats versus dogs -- for younger ones) and draw names out of a hat to choose sides.
3. How can you have a difference of opinion and still live by the GS Law (key: Respecting Others)?
4. What is an ambassador/representative? How are you an ambassador/representative for your troop?
5. Discuss ways wearing your GS vest impacts how others view you. What about school shirts/uniforms? And so on.
6. Do a postcard exchange with a troop in another country/area.
7. Pair off into buddies. Come up with three things you have in common: these must be common interests (not just how old you are, in the same GS troop, etc.). You can find something in common with ANYONE if you're willing to try.
8. Learn about one aspect of government or law, and how it works to help resolve or prevent conflict.
9. Your own Diplomatic activity here.

Other Just for Fun Activities:

1. Pretend you're riding a dragon. Create an obstacle course near your meeting place and have “dragon races” around it.
2. Have a tournament with your paper airplane dragons, from the top of a slide or other (safe) location.
3. Use fabric markers to make t-shirts with your team logo/design on them.
4. Play “Chase the Dragon's Tail”: Everyone stands in a line and places their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. The first person in line is the Dragon. The last person is the Tail. The Dragon tries to catch the Tail without breaking the line. When the Dragon succeeds, she becomes the Tail, and the next person in line becomes the Dragon (and so on).
5. Play “Simon Says” with a Dragon twist: Choose a dragon-y name for yourself instead of Simon.
6. Here are some free online coloring page templates from HTTYD: http://www.coloring-book.info/coloring/coloring_page.php?id=237

Note: Check to see if you can also work badges into these activities. Many of the steps will work for Wearable Art (retired** Brownie Try-It), Pets, etc. Check your guidebook and Google for more ideas!

**Yes, I know, there's a big hoo-ha over whether "retired" badges are still official. Honestly? While I'm incredibly picky about many things, this is one battle I'm not even given more than this bit of thought to: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Loads of retired badges are still relevant. If you can find them, earn them, and wear them proudly. Is that the "official" stance? No clue. I'm not even Googling this one. Because I'm still hoping they'll bring them out of retirement and give us full access once more....

Here are some things we did:

First, I had them come up with three great things about themselves. Not things they were interested in (Legos! Ponies! Glitter!) but actually think about their strengths, their best traits, as well as the things they held dear (Family, Friendship, etc.) that helped guide them, helped make up their goals. Most of the girls wrote things like "Smart!" and "Creative!" Some had a challenging time with it and needed some encouragement. We involved each other in this -- pointing out each other's best qualities. It was good! 

Once they came up with their three traits, I had them draw three things (anything they wanted) to represent those traits, to create a personal Coat of Arms.

I love it when the girls get creative. They did a great job!