It's Snot fair
You’ll need
- A3 Miserable face printout (page 12 Rights challenge badge resources)
- Snot template page 13 Rights challenge badge resources)
- Slime instructions (page 7 on Rights challenge badge resources
- 100ml PVA white glue (children’s craft glue or CE marked glue)
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- Green gel food colouring
- 1 tsp contact lens cleaning solution
- Small pot/container with lid.
Before you begin
- Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
- Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
- Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.
Planning and setting up this activity
- Print out Miserable face on A3, from page 12 Rights challenge badge resources.
- Print out snot template on to green paper (page 13 Rights challenge badge resources) and cut them out, so there are at least 2 snots per person.
- Set out the slime equipment and how to make slime instructions (page 7 on Rights challenge badge resources) on 3 tables for all to share.
Running this activity
- Gather everyone around and tell that today they will look at things or issues that affect them and that need to change. At a local level these could be things like uneven pavements, lack of cycle paths or unsafe parking outside their school. At an international level these could be things like climate change, child refugees and children affected by war. Understanding the role of “local superheroes” such as teachers, police officers, firefighters and volunteers who help them and their community to make positive change possible. Understanding the role of governments and councils as people whose job it is to make sure that children get their human rights.
- Draw a large picture of a miserable face with a cold on A3 paper (or print out the one provided page 12 Rights challenge badge resources).
- In small groups ask everyone to think about what is not fair or ‘snot fair’! Ask everyone to write a word or draw a picture to illustrate their thoughts on green ‘snot-shaped ’paper and stick these all over the miserable face.
- Go through and discuss the how the things identified as ‘snot fair’ could be done better and how we can support everyone to make sure their voices are heard.
- Take a photo of the snotty face and send it to the Commissioner’s office along with some of the issues and ideas the young people expressed. The Commissioner’s office will learn about what matters to you and will collate your views to inform their work.
Making Slime
- For the second part of this activity, everyone will make slime. Put everyone in pairs or threes and give each group the slime recipe (print out from page 7 of Rights Challenge Badge resource pack). Everyone will be making their own slime ball.
- Three people at a time will go to one of the tables containing the slime equipment and follow the instructions to make the slime.
- Squeeze the glue into a mixing bowl (look for a bottle in a 100ml size if possible so you won’t have to measure it out).
- Add the bicarbonate of soda and mix well.
- Add a drop or two of green gel food colouring. Less colouring gives a pastel colour; the more you add, the brighter the colour.
- Mix until well incorporated.
- Add the contact lens solution and mix. The slime will begin to form, going stringy before coming away clean from the bowl into a ball.
- Once it has formed, take it out and knead it with your hands. It will be sticky at first but after about 30 seconds you’ll have a smooth and pliable ball.
- Store in a pot with a lid.
Reflection
By working together to notice problems, share ideas, and help others, Squirrels and Beavers can make a positive difference in their community and help protect everyone’s rights. Whether it is being kind, including others in play, or speaking up when something feels unfair, these small actions show that even the youngest Scouts can help make their community safer, fairer, and more welcoming for everyone.
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.
You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.
- Glue and solvents
Always supervise young people appropriately when they’re using glue and solvent products. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Be aware of any medical conditions that could be affected by glue or solvent use and make adjustments as needed.
- Craft: Unusual substances
Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using unusual substances, such as powdered paint, ash or dirt. Be aware of any medical conditions that could be affected by what’s being used. Make sure you follow all relevant safety guidance or manufacturers guidelines, where available. Make sure you dispose of it appropriately too, in line with safety guidance.
Make it accessible
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
