Count on Me

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Count on Me makes math into play. You'll make pictures with shapes, play number games, and sort and count things you find at home. Math is everywhere once you start looking.

Why it's worth it

Numbers and shapes are hiding everywhere: in a stop sign, a pizza, a pile of toys, or a game of hopscotch. In Count on Me you'll make a lion out of shapes, play counting games, and sort things into groups. It's math you can touch and move, and it helps with school, building, cooking, and every game that keeps score.

Start this week

Go on a shape hunt at home and find one square, one triangle, and one circle.
Cut a few squares, triangles, and circles out of colored paper with your adult's help.
Fill a bowl with buttons, blocks, or small toys you can sort later.

Requirements · 3

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

Requirement 1
Make a lion out of nothing but squares, triangles, and circles
Tip: Cut squares, triangles, and circles out of colored paper and glue them into a lion face.
For example: A big yellow circle makes the lion's face, small orange triangles go all around for the mane, two little circles are the eyes, and a square nose sits in the middle.
Requirement 2
Play a counting or number game with your adult partner or den
Tip: Play a simple game like dice, cards, or hopscotch where you count out loud.
For example: Play a dice game: roll the die, count the dots out loud, and hop that many times. Or play hopscotch and count each square as you land on it.
Requirement 3
Sort a group of items by shape, then by color, then by one more category; count the different shapes in each group; then build something using just one group
Tip: Gather toys or buttons and sort by shape, then color, then size. Count the different shapes in each pile, then build something with one pile.
For example: Dump out a bin of blocks. Sort them by shape, then by color, then by size. In each pile, count how many of each shape you have and write the numbers down. Then build a tower using only the red pile.

Talk about it together

What shapes did you find in places you didn't expect?
Which way of sorting your toys was the most fun, and why?
What's the biggest number you can count to now?
Where do you see grown-ups using numbers every day?

Helpful reads

Cub Scouts: a guide for families, How Cub Scout ranks and adventures work from kindergarten through fifth grade, what an adult partner does, and how to keep it fun at meetings and at home., Families · Leaders · 4 min read

For leaders & parents

Bring a bin of mixed buttons, blocks, or bottle caps for a quick den sorting challenge.
Let each Lion explain how they chose a third sorting category.

People & places that can help

Your den leader — Can share den plans and help you sign off what you've done.
Public library — Picture books and videos on the topic; librarians can help find more.
A local children's museum — Hands-on exhibits with shapes and numbers.
Count on Me adventure page (opens in a new tab) — Shape, counting, and sorting games for dens.
Khan Academy Kids (opens in a new tab) — A free learning app with early math games for young kids.
PBS KIDS (opens in a new tab) — Counting, shape, and pattern games for kindergartners.

Lion, Rank · 7 requirements

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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.