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© Girlguiding 2014 www.girlguiding.org.uk Go For It! Five senses

Five Senses

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Welcome to Go For It! Five sensesWhat’s this Go For It! about?Each one of your five senses – sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch – is really important. They work together to let your brain know what is going on around you and keep you safe by warning you of danger. You are using at least one of your senses every moment of every day, even when you’re asleep! With Go For It! Five senses you and your Patrol can explore how your senses work and put them to the test.

How does it work?For your first session, have a go at some of the activities in the ‘Get started’ section (page 2) to find out which activities in Go For It! Five senses interest you. Then choose three more sessions’ worth of activities from the rest of the pack. You should spend four sessions (including planning time) on the Go For It! to gain the badge.

If you enjoy Go For It! Five senses, check out the ideas in the ‘Taking it further’ section on page 29. These activities can either be done as a Patrol or on your own.

TeamworkYou’ll need to work together all the way on this Go For It! – there are lots of decisions and plans to be made. How will you make sure everyone’s voice is heard? Think about everyone’s strengths and how best to use them.

Go For It! Five senses badgeWhen your Patrol has completed Go For It! Five senses you will each gain this great badge!

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Get startedThese activities are designed to help your Patrol pick other activities from this Go For It!. Try a few and find out what you enjoy most! Don’t forget to leave time once you have done this to plan what you will be doing for the next three Go For It! sessions.

What’s in the bag?Delve into the unknown and get your sense of touch working!

You will need A selection of objects with unusual shapes or textures (eg a pumice stone, a smooth pebble, a piece of Lego, a sponge) Pillowcase/bag Paper Pens Timer

What to do1. Each Patrol member should bring in two or three objects and put them in the

pillowcase or bag without showing the others. 2. Taking it in turns, each Patrol member has three minutes to feel all of the objects

and then write down all that she can identify.3. When everyone has had a turn, reveal all the objects and see who has identified

the most.

If you liked this, try more activities like it in the ‘Feel appeal’ section on page 25.

Name that smellNice, nasty, strong or weak… Let your nose decide with this smelly activity.

You will need Cotton wool balls A selection of smelly products (eg coffee granules, antiseptic solution, sun cream, lemon juice, garlic) Yoghurt pots Foil Labels/masking tape Pens Paper Timer

What to do1. Using labels or masking tape, label the yoghurt pots 1, 2, 3 and so on.2. Each Patrol member should bring in two or three smelly products, smear each one

on a cotton wool ball and put a ball in each pot.3. Cover each pot with foil and make small holes in the top.4. Taking it in turns, each Patrol member has three minutes to smell all of the pots

and then write down all the smells that she can identify.5. When everyone has had a turn, reveal all the products and see who has identified

the most. Which smells were the easiest? Which were harder to guess and why?

It will take:20–30 minutes

It will take:20–30 minutes

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Take careCheck no one has any food allergies before you start.

Take it furtherGet your Leaders to have a go too and see how good their noses are!

If you liked this, try more activities like it in the ‘Talking scents’ section on page 15.

Label loverMany companies and products rely on a strong logo and branding so that they are instantly recognisable all over the world. Can you work out the names of products just by looking at their logos?

You will need Magazines/newspapers Scissors Pens Paper Timer

What to do1. Each Patrol member should bring in two or three newspaper/magazine adverts for

everyday products or companies with the name covered up or cut out.2. Taking it in turns, each Patrol member has two minutes to look at the pictures and

then write down all that she can identify.3. When everyone has had a turn, reveal all the names and see who has identified the

most. How easy was it to identify the products or companies? Which ones did all of the Patrol get right? Which ones did you all struggle with?

If you liked this, try more activities like it in the ‘Get visual’ section on page 6.

Good tasteThe rosy bumps covering your tongue are large pores on top of tiny taste buds. Taste buds can sense one of four tastes: sweet, sour, salty and bitter.

You will need Paper cups (four plus one per Patrol member) Pens Paper Teaspoons (one per Patrol member) Sugar Salt Vinegar

It will take:15 minutes


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Lemon juice Water Measuring jug Paper towels Washing-up bowl with hot soapy water Tea towel

What to do1. Label the four cups ‘sweet’, ‘sour’, ‘salty’ and ‘bitter’.2. Put a teaspoon of sugar into the ‘sweet’ cup and one of salt into the ‘salty’ cup. Do

the same thing with coffee (bitter) and lemon juice (sour). Then add equal amounts of water to each cup.

3. Pour a cup of water for each person in the Patrol and give everyone a teaspoon.4. Each Patrol member should draw a tongue-shaped diagram on a piece of paper.5. Dip your spoon into the ‘sweet’ cup and touch it on to different places on your

tongue. When you taste the sweetness, make a mark on your tongue diagram in that spot.

6. Wash your spoon, rinse your mouth out with water and pat your tongue with the paper towel. Repeat the experiment for the other tastes, marking the tastes on your tongue diagram in different colours.

7. As a Patrol, compare your diagrams. Do they all look alike?

If you liked this, try more activities like this in the ‘Good taste’ section on page 19.

Good vibrationsSounds are vibrations that travel through the air or other materials to your ears. Try picking up the vibes with this experiment.

You will need String Ruler Scissors Metal spoon

What to do1. Cut a length of string to 60cm. Fold the string in half.2. Tie the end of the spoon handle in the middle of the string.3. Wrap each end of the string around your index fingers. Gently put the tips of your

fingers in your ears.4. Ask another Guide to tap the spoon. What can you hear? You should be able to

hear the sound of tapping quite clearly. This is caused by the sound vibrating through the string to your ears.

Take careNever push anything into your ears.

If you liked this, try more activities like it in the ‘Hearing aid’ section on page 11.


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What next?Now you have learned a bit about each of your five senses, what interests you most? Check out the activities in the following sections.

Get visual (page 6) Hearing aid (page 11) Talking scents (page 15) Good taste (page 19) Feel appeal (page 25)

Choose which ones you want to do for the rest of your sessions on this Go For It!. Over the three sessions you should make sure you do at least one activity from three of the five sections. You can either plan the next three sessions in one go or allow time at the end of each one to plan the following session. Your Leaders will be able to help you with the planning.

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Get visualPuzzle piecesDoing a jigsaw is simple, isn’t it? Test your skill when your sense of sight is taken away.

You will need Simple jigsaw (you could make one by cutting up an old greetings card or postcard) Blindfold

What to do1. Carefully blindfold one Patrol member and sit her down at a table.2. Spread the jigsaw pieces on the table in front of her. Now it’s up to the rest of the

Patrol to help her complete the jigsaw. You can give her instructions, but don’t touch the puzzle!

3. When the jigsaw is complete, discuss together how easy or hard the activity was. Did you take it in turns to give instructions? Did you shout? Did you offer praise and encouragement? How did it feel to be blindfolded?

4. Now try again with someone else blindfolded. Will you do anything differently?

Take it furtherTry the activity with a different kind of puzzle, such as dominos.

Clutching at strawsTry these two activities and see if your sense of sight or sound is stronger.

You will need Drinking straws of various colours Timer

What to do1. One Patrol member should make a simple design with the straws. 2. The rest of the Patrol then looks at the design for 30 seconds, before it is covered

up. They must then try and make it from memory. If it’s too easy, try making a more complicated pattern or looking at the design for a shorter time.

3. Now one Patrol member should take some straws and move away from the group. She should then make a design with her straws, ensuring no one else can see it.

4. When she has finished she must describe her design out loud to the rest of the Patrol, who must work together to try and replicate it, following her instructions. Do you end up with the same pattern? Try again with someone else making the pattern and then giving instructions.

5. Discuss the results. Which of these activities did you find easier? Perhaps your Patrol is divided! The first activity uses your sight and the second one, your hearing. People have different learning styles – some prefer to see and read information, and others prefer to hear it. Make sure that you think about this when you are doing activities as a Patrol so that everyone has the best chance to learn new things.



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Global greetingsWhen you meet someone for the first time, how do you greet them? Do you shake their hand, give them a kiss on both cheeks or bow to them? Greetings are different all over the world.

You will need Copy of the table below (or one per Patrol member if you are doing the activity individually)

What to do1. As a Patrol, or individually, see if you can match the greeting to the country.2. Check the answers on page 29. If you have done the activity individually, come back

together as a group and see who has the most correct.

1. Three kisses on alternate cheeks a. England

2. Two kisses on alternate cheeks b. USA

3. Both hands pressed together at chest level as though in prayer

c. France

4. A hug d. Switzerland

5. A right-handed handshake e. South Africa

6. A left-handed handshake f. Thailand

7. Bowing, hands pressed together as though in prayer

g. India

8. A right-handed handshake with the left hand holding the right wrist

h. Rwanda

9. Holding each other by the forearms and then leaning forward once on each side

i. Members of Guide movements all over the world

10. Pressing your nose and forehead against the other person’s

j. Mãori people in New Zealand

Tongue-tiedHave you ever been in a situation where you can’t understand what people are saying to you?

You will need No equipment needed

What to doImagine arriving in a country where you do not speak the language and no one speaks yours. How would you communicate? You would have to try and read people’s body language instead.

Can you think of any face and body language that we use in this country? How about shrugging, rolling your eyes or winking? What do these things mean? Do they have the same meaning in other countries?



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Make up your own Patrol body language and try using it to get across what you mean. Hand gestures and facial expressions are a good place to start!

Imagine that you are lost and need to find your friend. How would you get this information across using your Patrol body language? Think of a couple more scenarios and act them out.

Did you know?Hunters in parts of the Amazon have special facial expressions and signs that they use to tell fellow hunters which animals they can see. They can’t make any noise or move the rest of their body in case the animal hears them and runs away.

I beg your pardon!When you meet people from other cultures, especially when you are visiting their country, it is important to know what their customs are and what not to do so you don’t offend anyone. Try this quiz to test your global etiquette.

You will need Copy of the table below (or one per Patrol member if you are doing the activity individually)

What to do1. As a Patrol, or individually, have a look at the table of customs from around the

world and decide if they are true or false.2. Check the answers on page 29. If you have done the activity individually, come back

together as a group and see who has the most correct.

1. Giving a thumbs up to say that you are pleased with something in Italy or Iran would insult some people.

True/False

2. In the Ukraine you must never send someone an odd number of flowers.

True/False

3. Pointing the soles of your feet at someone in India would be disrespectful.

True/False

4. Using your thumb and first finger to make the OK sign shows people in Brazil that everything is good.

True/False

5. In Asian countries brides wear white dresses when they get married.

True/False

6. Slurping your noodles in Japan is seen as bad manners. True/False

7. Winking at someone in Hong Kong is considered a very rude gesture.

True/False

8. In Japan the traditional greeting is a bow. True/False

9. Clicking your fingers at a waiter in China will get their attention.

True/False


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Take it furtherTalk to your Leader about international opportunities that may be available for you locally. There are lots of opportunities to travel abroad when you are part of The Senior Section. Have a look at The Senior Section website for more information: www.girlguiding.org.uk/theseniorsection > What can I do? > International opportunities.

Braille trailPeople who are blind or partially sighted read using different methods, including Braille. Braille is made up of patterns of raised dots. Each letter of the alphabet has its own pattern, based on six dots like the design of a domino. You read Braille by running your finger over and feeling the patterns. For example G and N are both made from four raised dots in different patterns. Try this activity to see how easy you find it.

You will need Copy of the Braille alphabet (like the one below) Six-hole egg box Marbles/counters Paper Pen

What to do1. Give one Patrol member the Braille alphabet, the egg box and the counters or

marbles, and send her to the other end of the room.2. She should think of a word and make the first letter in Braille by placing the

marbles or counters in the egg box where the raised dots should be.3. Another girl should then run up, close her eyes and feel the marbles, run back and

copy the pattern using a pen and paper. 4. The Patrol member with the Braille alphabet should then make the second letter,

and another person should run up and look at it.5. Keep going, taking turns, until you reach the end of the word. Then compare your

letters with the Braille alphabet card. Can you read the word? Did you get it right?6. Try the activity again with a sentence.


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Talking booksLots of audio publications are produced for people who are partially sighted. As a Patrol, have a go at making your own!

You will need A short story (Mr Men books work really well!) Method of recording the story Props for sound effects

What to do1. As a Patrol, come up with suggestions for the short story you will make into an

audio book – it could be for a small child, a teenager or an elderly person. 2. Divide the story up so that you can each read a different part. What sort of things

will you need to remember when reading out loud? Practise reading in clear, interesting voices, or try telling the story using different tones of voice!

3. Think about what sound effects you will need and how to produce them. Perhaps you will put one person in charge of doing the sound effects. Will you draw up a list of cues to help you?

4. When you are ready, use the recording equipment to produce your audio book.

Try it this wayWhy not make a tape of your unit news? Include activities you have done and funny stories. Someone could be a roving reporter and interview other Guides.

Take it furtherAs a Patrol, find out if there are any organisations in your area that read out newspapers for people who are blind or partially sighted. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau will be able to help you. Ask if you can volunteer to help read for them or raise money or awareness.

It will take:20-30 minutes

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Hearing aidThe beat of the drumBy hitting a drum or a percussion instrument you cause a vibration that travels through the air to your ears. In many cultures, drums have traditionally been used as means of communicating.

You will need Wooden spoons Metal saucepan lids Lots of recycled materials (eg plastic bottles and containers) Markers or cones

What to do1. As a Patrol, use the wooden spoons as drumsticks and create a range of drums

using the saucepan lids and recycled everyday objects. Some of your drums will produce a high sound, some low – the relative ‘highness’ or ‘lowness’ of each sound is called pitch.

2. What pitch travels furthest? Test this out by taking your drums outside and getting one member of your Patrol to stand as far away as possible. Bang one of the drums and get her to move closer until she can clearly hear the sound. Place a marker at this point.

3. Repeat for each drum and compare the distances.

Did you know?Dame Evelyn Glennie is the first percussionist to really make it as a solo artist. She has released more than 28 solo recordings, has won over 80 international awards and performs live all over the world, including at the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. These fantastic achievements are made even more amazing by the fact that Dame Evelyn has been profoundly deaf since she was just 12 years old. She plays barefoot in order to feel the vibrations of her music better.

Take careBe careful of sharp edges when handling recycled materials.

Silence!Are you the kind of Patrol that can’t keep quiet for five minutes?

You will need Depends on the activity

It will takeAs long as you can manage!



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What to doSet yourself a real challenge – a sponsored silence! You could donate money to a charity like Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Could you be silent for the length of the whole of a meeting? If you choose to do sponsored silence at Guides, plan some activities that you can enjoy together without talking. What about games such as silent snap, fruit salad, four-up or the dice and chocolate game? Alternatively, you could be really brave and try to keep it going for the whole day. You’ll need a notebook at hand in case you need to ask or answer any questions!

Take it furtherWhy not invite someone from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to visit your unit? Check out their website (www.hearingdogs.org.uk) for more activities and information.

Can you hear me?Did you know that as we become older our ability to hear high-pitched frequencies decreases? Try this simple test and see whether your results support this.

You will need An online hearing test with sounds measured in MHz Headphones Paper Pen

What to do1. Use your internet search engine to find an online hearing test and take it in turns to

listen through the headphones.2. Each person should identify the sound with the highest pitch that they can hear

and then write down this figure and their age.3. Ask older members of the unit, including your Leaders, to have a go too.4. Look at the results and see if there is any difference in the pitch identified by

different ages.

Take care Make sure that everyone is comfortable with the loudness of the headphones. For more information on how you can stay safe on the web, take a look at the Guide web safe code at www.girlguiding.org.uk/guides > Guides web safe code.

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Music mattersHave you ever got yourself out of a bad mood by putting on some music and dancing in front of the mirror? If so, you’ll know that music can have a real effect on feelings.

You will need Recordings of your favourite songs Recordings of music that makes you feel different things (eg peaceful, angry, lively)

What to do1. Each member of your Patrol should bring in two or three of their favourite songs to

share with the rest of the Patrol, as well as a couple of pieces of music that make them feel a particular emotion.

2. Everyone should listen to the songs and discuss how they make them feel. Do you all agree? Do certain songs affect people differently? Patrol members should share their thoughts about how or why a song makes them feel the way it does.

3. Make a Patrol playlist of your ten favourite upbeat songs – then play them and get happy!

Try it this wayThink about how music is used in different situations. Try choosing some music that would be suitable for a doctor’s waiting room, a clothes shop or a school.

People often do dance routines to upbeat music. How about trying to arrange a routine to peaceful or sad music (for example a ballad)? You could perform it for the rest of the unit.

What’s that sound?With so much noise around all the time, can you identify the simplest of everyday sounds?

You will need Recordings of everyday sounds (eg a dog barking, a door closing, someone eating crisps) Pens Paper

What to do1. Before the meeting, each Patrol member will need to record three or four everyday

sounds. There should be an app to do this on most mobile phones, or you could ask your Leader to help you track down a Dictaphone.

2. As a Patrol, listen to each of the sounds you have collected in turn and then, as individuals, write down what you think the sound is.

3. When you have finished listening, reveal the answers and see who guessed the most correctly. Were some sounds easier to identify than others? Were there any that no one could guess?



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Be quiet!Does your Guide Leader ever have to shout to get your attention? Can you devise some quieter methods to make everyone pay attention?


What to do1. As a Patrol, discuss methods that you have seen people use to make a large group

of people be quiet. This may be at a guiding event or at school. Which techniques do you think are most effective? Which ones don’t work?

2. Devise a new method to try out in your unit meeting. You can think of something completely different or adapt a method you have seen used before. Some examples might include:

clap a short rhythm that people must copy when they hear it – you can continue to clap until everyone is quiet and clapping the rhythm say ‘Clap if you can hear me’ and continue to clap as it gradually gets quieter, until everyone is clapping flick the lights on and off fold your arms and wait for everyone to notice and copy you.

3. Try your new method out with your Patrol and then with your unit. You could ask your Leader to use it and then get feedback from her and the group on whether they think it worked.

Are you listening carefully?It is easy to hear things, but to listen you actually need to concentrate so that the sound reaches your brain. See how good you are at listening with this activity.

You will need Paper Pens

What to do1. One member of the Patrol should think of a message and write it down without

showing the others. 2. She must whisper the message to another person in the Patrol, who will have to

really listen to it and then pass it on to the next person.3. When the message has been passed to all the members of the Patrol, the last

person says it out loud. Compare what is said to the written message.4. Try this activity a few times to see if you get better at listening carefully.

Take careBe aware of any hearing impairments among members of your Patrol. You can try the activity with speaking the message out loud rather than whispering, as long as the other Patrol members can’t hear!


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Talking scentsSensory seasoning Herb pots will make your kitchen smell fabulous and your dinner taste even better!

You will need Pots Compost Cuttings Seeds

What to doHave a go at planting some herbs. Basil, parsley, chives, mint and rosemary are all easy to grow. Ask your family and friends if they have herbs in their garden. Will they let you take some small cuttings from the plants? To do this, cut a stem of around 15cm from the parent plant, remove all the leaves 4cm from the end of the stem and put in a clear glass with enough water to cover the bottom of the stem. When roots begin to grow, pot your herbs in small containers. Alternatively, you could plant a variety of herb seeds in egg boxes to produce your own herb garden.

Take it furtherYou could try having a Patrol cooking session to use your herbs. Or why not grow loads and sell them as a fundraiser?

Take careAlways wash your hands after touching plants and soil.

Try it this wayThere are lots of flowers that have strong smells. Visit a garden centre or nursery and see which ones are your favourites. There are even flowers that smell of chocolate!

Get freshThese cool air fresheners will make any room smell sweet.

You will need Small, clean jars Decorative materials for the jars (eg glass paints, stickers, ribbons, sequins) Gelatine sachets/jelly cubes Bowl Wooden spoon Food colouring


It will take:

1-2 hours to set

20 minutes to make

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Essential oils Glitter/sparkly confetti shapes (optional)

What to do1. Start by decorating the outside of your jars.2. Make up the gelatine or jelly, following the instructions on the packet. Be careful

when using boiling water.3. Add drops of food colouring and your chosen scented oils. You could add glitter

too, or glittery confetti shapes to give it some sparkle.4. Pour the gel into the jars and put them to one side to set. Don’t put them in the

fridge – they will make your food smelly!5. When your air fresheners have set, find the perfect place at home or in your unit

meeting place to try them out.

Take careMake sure no one in your Patrol is allergic to the essential oils. Try not to get them on your skin, and wash them off quickly if you do.

Bath bombsFor some, a hot bath is relaxing, for others it’s invigorating, and there are lots of different bath products designed to get what you need out of your daily soak. But how do they put your mind and body in the right mood? By targeting your sense of smell! Scents like lavender are calming, while citrus notes can help perk you up. Pick your favourite and create your own bathtime treat!

You will need To make one large or six small bath bombs:

1 cup bicarbonate of soda 1 cup cream of tartar 1/2 cup milk powder Cup Bowl Water Essential oil Pump spray bottle Netting and ribbon

What to do1. Put the bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar and milk powder in a bowl and mix

them together.2. Add three drops of essential oil to a small amount of water in your spray bottle.3. Spray some water into the mixture, a little at a time. Mix the powder and water with

your hands until it all binds together into a clump. Be careful not to use too much water.

It will take:

plus 24 hours to set

15 minutes to make

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4. Form a ball about the size of a tennis ball, or make six smaller balls. Then give the bomb (or bombs!) one last spray to ensure the mixture stays packed together. Leave overnight to set.

5. Wrap with netting and ribbon and give to someone special as a present, or just give one a go yourself and watch it fizz!

Take careCheck that no one in your Patrol has sensitive skin or allergies.

Smelly seasonsIn the Andaman Islands, near India, the calendar is made up of seasons that are named after the flowers that come into bloom at that time of year.

You will need Pens Paper Colouring pencils

What to do1. Rename each of the 12 months of the year after the smells you associate with each

month. For example, August could become ‘sun cream’ and December might be ‘satsumas’!

2. Draw up and illustrate your own ‘year of smells’ calendar.

Favourite smellsHave you got a favourite smell – one that brings back good memories, reminds you of someone, or even makes you hungry? Of all your senses, smell is the one that triggers the strongest feelings or memories. This is because smell goes straight to the part of your brain where your emotions come from.


What to do1. Take it in turns to discuss your favourite smells and how they make you feel.2. Now share the smells that you least like and explain why you don’t like them. 3. Do any of you agree with each other? Are there any strong disagreements?

Someone might love the smell of cut grass, but if you suffer from hayfever this smell is one that you would probably avoid! Were you surprised by any of the smells that people don’t like?

4. Can you think of places that you have all been together, for example a Guide camp or your school hall? Discuss the smells you each remember from these places and see how different they are.



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Did you know?You may not like the smell of cows, but for the Dassanech, a tribe in Ethiopia, it’s a scent to celebrate! They raise cattle, so to them cows are important animals associated with status, power and fertility. In ceremonies the men are smeared with dung to give them strength, while the women use butter and cow dung mixed with herbs to make beauty treatments.

Elsewhere, the Dogon people of Mali make their living by growing onions and so the scent of onions is prized. Young men and women rub fried onions all over their bodies as a perfume to make themselves more desirable.

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Good tasteFestival foodsDuring religious or cultural festivals, we often celebrate by eating special foods. Find out if there are any festivals coming up and taste the foods associated with them.

You will need Foods/recipes associated with different religious or cultural

festivals

What to doResearch which religious or cultural festivals are coming up and then find out if any special foods are eaten during these events. Each person in your Patrol could make something and bring it in for you all to try, or you could find a recipe and cook it together in your meeting.

Example of festival foods include: chocolate eggs (Easter) apples dipped in honey or chocolate (Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year) Diwali sweets (Diwali – Hindu festival of lights) pancakes (Shrove Tuesday).

If you are bringing in food, tell your Patrol a bit about where it comes from and what ingredients you used.

Take careCheck before you start that no one has any allergies.

Coconut barfi ballsThese sweets are made to celebrate Diwali.

You will need 150g desiccated coconut plus extra for dusting 300g condensed milk Weighing scales Bowl Plate

What to do1. Put the desiccated coconut in a bowl and slowly add the condensed milk, mixing

together until the two are completely combined and the mixture has a stiff consistency. If it gets too sticky, add more coconut.

2. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it between your palms to make a smooth round ball. Don’t apply too much pressure as they will be delicate.


It will take:

plus 30 minutes to harden

10 minutes to make

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3. Put the extra coconut on to a plate and roll the balls in it so that the coconut covers them. You may need to reshape the mixture into round balls!

4. Put them in a fridge for 30 minutes to harden.

Honeyed applesThese symbolise a sweet year for those of the Jewish faith.

You will need Apples Sharp knife/apple cutter Chopping board Bowl of water Lemon juice Runny honey Bowl

What to do1. Cut the apples into segments and remove the core using a sharp knife or an apple

cutter.2. Place the apple segments in a bowl of water with a few drops of lemon juice to

stop them going brown.3. Pour some runny honey into another bowl and dip the apple segments in the honey

before eating.

Seeing is believingIf you change the appearance of food, what happens to the taste? Try fooling your own taste buds by making food in unexpected colours.

You will need 100g caster sugar 100g margarine 2 eggs, lightly beaten 100g self-raising flour Food colourings Food essences (eg almond, vanilla, peppermint) Bowls Electric whisk/wooden spoon Sieve Metal spoon Paper fairy cake cases Muffin tins Oven Oven gloves Wire rack

What to do1. Pre-heat your oven to 190ºC/375ºF/Gas Mark 5.2. Beat the margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy.3. Add the eggs a little at a time and beat the mixture well. 4. Use a sieve to sift the flour and then fold into the mixture with a metal spoon.


It will take:

plus 20 minutes to cook

15 minutes

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5. Divide the mixture between bowls and add different combinations of colouring and flavour. For example, you could make peppermint-flavoured cakes in blue, green and orange.

6. Line the muffin tins with paper cases and spoon in the mixtures. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.

7. When the top of the cakes are springy to the touch, carefully remove them from the oven using oven gloves.

8. Remove the cakes from the tins and leave to cool on a wire rack. Once they are cool, test them on the rest of your unit. Is anyone surprised by the taste?

Take careCheck before you start that no one has any food allergies.

Taste testDon’t be influenced by the brand, let your taste buds do the talking and see if they surprise you!

You will need A selection of different brands of the same drink (eg cola, orange juice, lemonade) Cups Labels/masking tape Pens Paper

What to do1. Agree which type of drink to taste test and arrange for each Patrol member to bring

in a different brand. Write a list of the brands you have collected.2. Ask a Leader or a Guide from another Patrol to label the bottles A, B, C and so on

using labels or masking tape and to pour everyone a sample from the first bottle – bottle A – being careful not to show which one it is.

3. Each member of the Patrol should taste their sample. They might like to make notes to help them remember their thoughts.

4. Repeat this for the other bottles.5. At the end, look at the list of brands you made earlier and decide as a Patrol which

sample was from which brand of drink. Did you all agree on the bottles? Were some easier to identify than others? Were you surprised by any that you liked?

Take careMake sure than no one has any allergies to the choice of drink.


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A fruity little numberThere are hundreds of kinds of fruit in the world, many of which you may never have tasted… Until now!

You will need Exotic fruits (eg lychees, pomegranate, mango, passion fruit, papaya, star fruit, pineapple, jackfruit, kiwi, coconut) Chopping board Knife Plates

What to do1. Take a trip to your local supermarket and see what weird and wonderful fruits you

can find. You could divide up the list above and ask each Patrol member to buy one.

2. As a Patrol, look at the fruits and try to imagine what they will taste like. What sort of texture are they? How do they smell? Can you work out how to eat them?

3. Taste all the fruits together and compare opinions or take it in turns to close your eyes and be given a piece of fruit. Can you guess which one it is? Does it taste the way you thought it would?

4. Is there a favourite fruit that everyone really liked? What else can you do with this fruit? Can you find any recipes to use it in?

Take care Before you start, check that no one has any allergies. Make sure you talk to your Leader before leaving the

meeting place.


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What’s eating you?Have you ever visited another country and been a bit nervous about trying what’s on the menu? This quiz might help you feel better about sampling different foods!


What to doEither as a Patrol or individually, have a look at the descriptions below. Can you work out what food they are describing? Would you eat these foods?

1. This food starts out as a paste made from the seeds of a type of grass. It is cooked once and then cooked again using a flame or piece of metal so that it burns. Once cooked, it is smeared with fat. Sometimes old fruit that has been mixed with sugars and chemicals is put on it.

2. This food is usually eaten at a certain time of day. A slimy substance that is designed to feed unborn baby birds is mixed together with the white liquid produced by a certain farmyard animal. It is then poured into a pan and cooked in fat over a flame until it goes lumpy.

3. Almost the entire population is addicted to this brown liquid, which is made from dried, crushed-up plant leaves. It can be enjoyed on its own, but many people drink it with white liquid squirted out of an animal and sometimes they also add white crystals that give them energy.

4. Many people enjoy drinking this liquid, which is made from rotten fruit and plant seeds. If taken in large quantities, it can cause dizziness, vomiting and even death.

5. The muscle tissue of an animal is put into a contraption that makes it into little worm-like shapes. It is then mixed with slimy stuff from a bird and smelly plant leaves. Bulbs whose fumes can make you cry are also chopped up and added. The mixture is then rolled into disc shapes and fried in fat until it is brown. Then a dome-shaped lump of cooked paste made out of grass seeds is cut in half and the discs are put in between. A gloopy red substance made from sour, gone-off wine, sweet crystals and mushed-up vegetables is put on top, and then curdled hardened fat is added before eating. Mmm!

Take a look on page 29 for the answers. Now you know what the foods are, do they seem more appealing? It just goes to show that while you may think something sounds revolting, you shouldn’t judge by a description – try it!

Take it furtherMake up your own descriptions of other foods for members of another Patrol or the rest of the unit to guess.

Hold your nose!When you have a cold and your nose is blocked up, you often lose your sense of taste. Try this experiment to find out why this is.

You will need Small sweets in different flavours (eg jelly beans) Small pots/bowls Labels Pens Paper


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What to do1. Group the sweets by flavour and put them in labelled pots. 2. Choose one member of the Patrol to hand out the sweets. Everyone else should

close their eyes so they can’t be influenced by the colour of the sweet.3. The girl with the sweets should take the first pot and give everyone a sweet. The

tasters should hold their noses so that they can’t smell anything and put the sweet in their mouths. They can then open their eyes!

4. Chew the sweet five times while still holding your nose and write down what flavour you think the sweet is.

5. After five chews, let go of your nose and keep chewing. Write down what flavour you think the sweet is now.

6. Repeat the experiment for each flavour. You should find that you taste absolutely nothing until you let your nose do its work!

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Feel appealPass it onThis might seem simple – but it’s not as easy as it looks!

You will need Pencils Paper

What to do1. Stand in a line, one behind the other.2. The Patrol member at the back chooses a word to pass down the line. She draws

the first letter of the word with her finger on the back of the girl in front of her. 3. When the second girl thinks she knows what the letter is, she passes it on. This

continues until it reaches the Patrol member at the front, who then writes the letter down.

4. The second letter is then passed on in the same way. Continue until the whole word has been spelled out.

5. Did you get the word right? Can you pass on a whole message?

Take it furtherWhy not challenge another Patrol and make it a race?

Touchy feelyThink that art is something you look at but don’t touch? Think again! Get creative with your sense of touch and make a picture that is worth a thousand words, even to someone who can’t see it!

You will need Large piece of paper Pens Textured collage materials (eg fabric, sand, glitter, straws, plastic, bubble wrap, pieces of sponge) Glue

What to do1. As a Patrol, draw a picture or make a pattern on your paper. You might like to think

of a theme, such as a farmyard, zoo or campsite.2. Fill in the picture using your collage materials. Think about the textures of your

materials and try to use them in suitable ways, for example cotton wool for clouds, sawdust for tree trunks.

3. Now challenge other Patrols to close their eyes and ‘look’ at your picture using their hands. Can they recognise shapes and images by touch? What do they think the picture is?



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TrackingMany tribal people, like the aboriginal people of Australia or the Kalahari in southern Africa, rely on using their senses to track animals, to find food and water, and to search for other people. They listen carefully to sounds and look for even the smallest clues on the ground. Find out how good your Patrol’s tracking skills are.

You will need Stopwatch/timer Clues/tracking materials (eg sticks, stones, leaves)

What to doChoose one Patrol member to go and hide – leaving a few clues on the way! It’s up to her how she does this. She might ‘accidentally’ drop an item of clothing or leave a door ajar, or she could research tracking signs before the meeting and bring sticks, stones and leaves to create arrows and leave messages on the floor. After 10 minutes the rest of the Patrol should try and find her.

How quickly did you track down the hidden Guide? What skills did you use? What clues gave her away? If you found her easily, try again with someone else hiding – and make it more difficult this time!

Take careAlways tell a Leader where you are going to hide. Make sure the hunting group stays together. Use a clear signal to show that the game is over such as blowing a whistle.

That’s my potato!One potato looks much like another, right? Try this activity and surprise yourself with just how different they really are!

You will need Potatoes (one per Patrol member) Bag/sack

What to do1. As a Patrol, sit in a circle with the bag of potatoes in the middle. Close your eyes

and take it in turns to pick a potato from the bag. 2. Keep your eyes shut and don’t look at your potato, but hold it and really get to know

the feel of it. Is it round or long and thin? Smooth or with knobbly bits?3. Put all the potatoes back in the bag and mix them up. Now empty them out into the

middle of the circle.4. Still without looking, can you each find your own potato by touch? How did you

recognise your potato? What details made it easy to find?



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Try it this wayEach potato had individual features that made it unique. It is the same with any group of people. How well could you recognise your friends and family by touch, smell or by seeing only one part of them, like their ear or foot? Try to recognise the other members of your Patrol by touch, or listening to them laugh, or seeing only their hands. How well do you know one another?

Top tipUse all your potatoes to make a dish for you all to share!

Take the rough with the smooth It’s easy to tell the difference between a piece of a silk and scratchy wool, but just how sensitive is your sense of touch when it comes to similar textures? Try this activity to see how good you are at detecting different levels of roughness.

You will need Sandpaper sheets of different grades (levels of roughness) Ruler Scissors Pen Paper Blindfold (optional)

What to do1. Cut the sandpaper sheets into equal-sized squares (eg 10x10cm). You could cut

two squares from each grade of paper to make the activity harder.2. Mark the grade (roughness) on the back of the sample, if it isn’t already printed on

the sandpaper.3. Mix up the samples. Now take it in turns to be blindfolded (or just close your eyes!)

and feel the samples, putting them in what you think is the correct order of roughness.

4. Make a note of the order that everyone puts them in and see who was the closest at the end.


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Amazing mazes!Mazes can be hard enough to follow when you have your eyes open so try making one that you can feel your way through.

You will need Pencil Card PVA glue in a bottle/tubes of glitter glue String (optional)

What to do 1. On the piece of card, draw a maze that takes you from one point to another. Add in

some dead ends and try to only have one solution.2. When you are happy with your maze, squeeze glue along the lines to give it raised

edges. You could stick string on top of the glue to make it stand out more.3. Leave the mazes to dry and once they are dry, swap with another member of your

Patrol to test out their maze.4. Make sure that you close your eyes so you are only using your sense of touch.

Did you know?The least sensitive part of your body is the middle of your back. The most sensitive parts are your hands, lips, face, neck, tongue, fingertips and feet.


to make

plus drying time

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AnswersGlobal greetings (page 7)1. d2. c3. g4. b5. a6. i7. f8. e9. h10. j

I beg your pardon! (page 8)1. True2. False – an even number of flowers are used in funeral bouquets 3. True4. False – this is seen as an insulting gesture 5. False – brides traditionally wear red as white is seen as the colouring for

mourning and is associated with death6. False – this is acceptable as it shows that you are enjoying your food7. True8. True9. False – this is seen as a very rude gesture

What’s eating you? (page 23)1. Toast with butter and jam2. Scrambled egg3. Tea4. Beer5. Beef burger in a bun with ketchup and cheese

Take it furtherIf you enjoyed this Go For It!, why not try…

Communicator badge Music group badge Music zone badge Performing arts badge World traveller badge.

©Girlguiding 2014

Registered charity number 306016. Incorporated by Royal Charter.

Project Coordinator: Helen Channa

Project Editor: Jessica Feehan

Series Designer: Yuan Zhuang

Designer: Angie Daniel

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Notes for LeadersA balanced programmeOne of your responsibilities is to ensure that your Guides experience a balanced and varied programme. Chat to the Patrol members and find out what their plans are – encourage them to choose a variety of different activities.

Remember you can ensure a balance by doing unit activities, games and so on in addition to Go For Its!.

SafetyEnsure the Guides are safe. You should always adhere to the rules within The Guiding Manual and, depending on the girls’ ages and abilities, you may need to give extra support with:

going outside the normal meeting place inviting members of the public into the meeting place staying away from home in unfamiliar surroundings the use of specialist equipment, such as tents, knives and cooking appliances personal and food hygiene allergies and what to do in the event of an allergic reaction.

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