Jedi creature keeper
You’ll need
- Paint
- Paint brushes
- Permanent markers
- PVA glue
- Scissors
- Craft rocks (make sure you don't take these from a beach, you can get them from a DIY store, craft store or garden centre)
- Googly eyes
- Material for hair/fur (yarn, feathers, etc)
- Coverings for the tables or ground
- A device connected to the internet
Before you begin
- Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There's also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples. Don’t forget to 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 if you’re short on helpers.
Setting up this activity
- Make sure you have plenty of space to run this activity and are in a space that can get messy. You could do this activity outside.
- You may want to run this activity over two or three weeks to give people lots of time.
Tell the story
- Gather everyone around and tell them that today they’re going to be Jedi younglings.
- Explain that you’re going to make some Jedi creatures to help us learn about responsibility.
- If you’ve a device connected to the internet, tell everyone you’re going to meet the Young Jedi and play Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures - Lys' Creature Caper.
- What happened during the video? What was the problem?
- How did the team solve the problem?
- Does anyone have animals at home?
- What do all animals need to live?
- What do you do to look after your animals?
- Lys reminds us that a Jedi is always happy to help. Have you ever helped take care of an animal? If you have a pet, has someone ever helped you with them?
Create your creature
- Explain to everyone that we can’t give out real animals in Scouts, though some people may have pets at home.
- Tell everyone that today we can make our own rock creature instead.
- Provide a selection of craft rocks for people to choose from.
- Using a selection of paints and craft materials, allow everyone to begin decorating their new creature. You should have plenty of adult supervision during this activity to make sure that young people don’t put any small or craft items in their mouths, ears, noses and so on.
- While making the activity, discuss what features the creatures should have, such as eyes, mouths, hair and so on.
- Make sure there’s enough time for paint and glue to dry – you may want to ask everyone to pick them the following week.
- Remember to ask everyone to give their new creature a name – you could make a certificate, such as a passport, or a birth or adoption certificate, to confirm their name!
Give your creature somewhere to live
- Remind everyone that to be a proper creature keeper, they’ll need to create a safe space for their new rock creature to live. This could be done using recycled and reusable materials – or you may want everyone to use a shoebox.
- Ask everyone to think about what the creature will need to keep it safe and happy.
- Remember to give it a space to eat and drink, and something to play with/keep it stimulated.
© Disney
© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd
Reflection (or Jedi Meditation)
Invite the Jedi younglings to sit in a circle with their legs crossed and their hands on their knees.
Explain that the Jedi code teaches us we must meditate on the things we’ve been doing.
Invite the group to close their eyes and think of the activity they’ve just done. Using a calm voice, talk through the reflection below. Tell everyone that you’ll ask them some questions, but for now they should just think of the answers for themselves. When you’ve finished, you could discuss your answers if people want to.
This activity is all about creating a creature to look after. What does it mean to be responsible? What can you do with either your rock creature or a real pet to show responsibility?
Every day we need to be responsible for lots of things. We may have jobs to do at home or school, and we all need to be responsible for what we do and say. What other areas of your life can you show responsibility?
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.
- 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.
- Rubbish and recycling
All items should be clean and suitable for this activity.
- 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.
- 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.
- Scissors
Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.
Challenge the group to decorate their rocks using different colours or patterns to make their new pet distinctive and unique.
- If anyone needs help or struggles with fine motor skills, give them the opportunity to work in pairs with another young person, with a young leader or an adult volunteer.
- Remember to have left-handed and accessible scissors so that everyone can take part.
- Make sure that all the materials are at a level that can be easily worked on by everyone, including wheelchair users.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.