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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

Bindle bags

Grab an old pillowcase and a stick and make your own bindle bag to explore the outdoors.
Plan a session with this activity

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You’ll need

  • Scissors
  • Natural materials (for example, leaves, twigs, feathers)
  • Rope
  • Pillowcases

Before you begin

  • Ask everyone to bring an old pillowcase to the session.
  • You’ll need some extra adults to support everyone as they tie knots – why not ask parents and carers to help with this activity?

Story time

  1. Everyone should sit in a circle.
  2. Someone should read The Brilliant Bindle Bag by Jess Connett. Make sure you pick up a copy of the book before the session.
  3. After reading the story, everyone should take some time to reflect on it as a group. We’ve included some questions to help you reflect in the pink box below.

Kurtis loved to be out in nature. It was his favourite place to be. Kurtis, his sister Jaleesa and their mum would go out for walks in the woods near their house.

Going for a walk with Kurtis took a long time. Even in the pouring rain or the boiling sun or the freezing cold, he would want to look at everything.

‘Wow! Look at that feather!’ Kurtis shouted, and ran over to look at a long black feather sticking out of the mud. He put it in his pocket and got mud all over his trousers.

Mum gave a big sigh.

‘Wow! Look at that leaf!’ Kurtis shouted, and ran down the path to a huge horse chestnut tree.

Its orange leaves drooped down, and one had fallen onto the ground. Kurtis didn’t have a pocket big enough, so he put it up his jumper!

Jaleesa laughed at her brother, who had a big leaf sticking out of his clothes.

‘Wow! Look at this!’ Kurtis said, crouching down to look at a spiky green ball on the floor. He didn’t know what it was. He went to pick it up.

‘Ouch!’ A long green spike had spiked him. It was too spiky to carry home.

That gave Mum an idea.

‘Let’s make a bindle bag,’ she said. ‘That way, you can collect all the things you like and carry them home. Then we can look at them together when we get back.’

At home, Mum found an old pillowcase. Kurtis and Jaleesa helped lay it flat while Mum cut it with a big pair of scissors. They found a long stick in the garden, and tied the bindle bag on with a nice tight knot.

They took it with them on their next walk in the woods.

‘Wow!’ said Kurtis when he saw a smooth grey river rock. Mum reminded him to put it in his bindle bag to look at later. Their walk took half the time.

When they got home, they opened the bindle bag and admired Kurtis’ treasures. It was easier to see how beautiful they were when they were all laid out.

‘No more muddy feathers in your pockets – phew!’ said Mum.

‘And no more leaves up your jumper!’ laughed Jaleesa.

By Jess Connett


Sticks and stones

  1. Everyone should get into pairs and write their name or initials at the top of their pillowcases.
  1. Everyone should go out and search for a long stick that they can carry over their shoulder.
  2. Everyone should follow the instructions below and tie their pillowcase to their stick to make a bindle bag.
  1. Split into groups of four people. Ask an adult to support each group.
  2. Lie the pillowcase flat on the ground.
  3. Use scissors to cut six inches along the seam on one side.
  4. Cut the same distance along the seam on the other side of the pillow case, keeping the bottom closed to be used as a sack.
  5. Place items into the bottom of the pillowcase.
  6. Tie the two halves of the pillowcase around the end of the long stick. Make sure the knot is tight so that the bag doesn't slip down the stick.


Bindle race 

  1. Everyone should split the into two teams. Each team should make a line.
  2. The person leading the race should place an object on the floor opposite each team.
  3. Everyone should put a stone or ball in their bindle bag and tie it ready to use.
  4. The first person from each team should hold their bindle bag over their shoulder, walk to the object opposite them, walk back to their team, and sit down.
  1. When the first person gets back to the line, the second person should go. 
  2. Everyone should take it in turns to walk to the object and return to their team.
  3. The first team to sat down after everyone’s had a go are the winners.

Fill it up

  1. Everyone should split into small teams of about four.
  2. Each team should search around (ideally outside) for things that they’d like to place in their bag.
  1. After about 10 minutes, the person leading the activity should bring everyone back together.
  2. Everyone should sit down in a circle.
  3. Anyone who wants to could show everyone what they placed in their bag and explain why they chose those items.

Reflection

This activity encouraged everyone to appreciate the world around them as they used natural materials to make a useful piece of exploration equipment. It also gave everyone the chance to learn new skills like tying knots and taking turns.

You could chat about these reflection questions throughout the session or at the end.

The Brilliant Bindle Bag

  • What items did Kurtis collect in his bindle bag?
  • What other items do you think you could find on a walk in the woods?

Sticks and stones

  • How can people be safe when they’re walking around with a bindle bag?
  • How could people make their bindle bag stand out?

Fill it up

  • Are people happy with the contents of their bag? Why?
  • If everyone were to do this activity again, would they collect anything different?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Scissors

Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.

Outdoor activities

You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.

Poles and long objects

Be careful when moving poles or long items. Take care if the ends are sharp. Have appropriate supervision for this activity.

Heavy and awkward objects

Never lift or move heavy or awkward items alone. Ask for help or, if possible, break them down into smaller parts.

Gardening and nature

Everyone must wash their hands after the activity has finished. Wear gloves if needed. Explain how to safely use equipment and set clear boundaries so everyone knows what’s allowed.

  • It can be tough to cut material. An adult could cut the pillowcase before the session.
  • If anyone’s mastered the art of making a bindle bag, they could practise tying it with different knots such as a granny knot or a reef knot.

Leave enough time for everyone to have a few goes at tying their own bindle bag, and make sure that there are plenty of adults to support everyone.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Squirrels All About Adventure Challenge Award

Ask everyone to decorate their bindle bags at home and bring them to the next session so you can take them on a walk.