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If you’re going to lead a group with cub scout songs, the best advice for you is to have fun and be silly; in fact, the sillier the better! Cub Scout-age boys have more energy than anyone I know. They are about to burst. Getting them to sit still long enough to do something takes talent, patience, and nerves of steel. If there was some way to bottle that energy, we could make a fortune.

A good way to harness that energy is to get them moving. Just because they’re singing doesn’t mean they have to stand still with their arms crossed without moving a muscle. Here are some good Cub Scout songs that should work for you:

• My Bonnie:

  This is a good song to get the guys moving. Every time you sing the letter “B”, you alternate between sitting and standing. For example: my B.onnie (standing) lies on the ocean, Mi B.onnie (sit) lies on the sea, Mi B.onnie (standing) stands on the ocean. Oh, B.ring (sit)B.ack (standing) my B.onnie (sit down) for me.
  B.ring stand) B.ack (sit down), B.ring stand) B.ack (sit), OR B.ring stand) B.ack (sit down) me B.onnie (stand) for me, for me. B.ring (sit) B.ack (standing), B.ring (sit) B.ack (standing), OR B.ring (sit) B.ack (standing) my B.onnie (sit down) for me. I like to go faster every time we sing it.

• There are no errors in me:

  You can use this to teach rhymes and put children’s minds to work. Ask the Cub Scouts to make up their own words for each new verse. You only have to change two words; just change “bugs” and “mugs” to two other rhyming words. Some of my favorites are flies and boys; bee knees; bears and hairs; ants and pants; cougars and boogers (booger is a cool word for a cub scout!); and many more that you can think of. There are some simple hand movements that you can use in the chorus; move your finger like a flying mosquito. As he sings: “Mosquito, fly high” raise your finger up “Mosquito, fly low” lower your finger down “If the old skeeter lands on me” place your finger on your knee, shoulder, or other part of your body” He’s not going to fly now anymore.” On the word “ain’t”, hit the part of the body where the skeeter landed.

• Jenny Jenkins:

  This is another song where the boys can make up their own verses. In the first verse, Jenny wears white. The word that rhymes with white is bright. Let the children think of different colors and then think of a word that rhymes with that color. For example: red; I will not wear red, it is the color of my head. But I will not wear red, I prefer to stay in bed. gold, black; I will not dress in black, I prefer to sit on a tack. gold, blue; I won’t wear blue, I’d rather smell Bobby’s shoe. The possibilities are endless. Try to stick to one or two syllable colors. However, you can have a lot of fun trying to rhyme colors like “pomegranate, magenta, or lavender.”

• Waddally Atcha:

  This is another good movement song to sing while sitting down. The only moving part is your hands and arms. These are the movements: pat the legs twice; clap twice; pass one hand over the other twice; change hands and do the same; with your index finger touch your nose and then the opposite shoulder; repeat with the other index finger; say goodbye twice with one hand; then repeat with the other hand. That is all. Repeat over and over until you or the children have had enough. This is another song that is fun to speed up or slow down every time you sing it.

  prickly pear:

  I like to use this song for all ages and groups. It is easy to learn, with a single word. It’s also easy to think of new verses. Any word or combination of words with 3 syllables works best. You can use names like Ta-ba-tha or Jen-ny-Jones. You can use food like ho-mi-ny or rasp-ber-ry. You can use places like Ne-bra-ska or I-ta-ly. You don’t have to stick to 3-syllable songs; try 1, 2 or 4 or even more and see what happens.

Cub Scouts also like songs like: Do your ears hang low? Nobody loves Me; McGregor; and I like bananas, coconuts and grapes.

Any of these songs is great to sing with young children. You can also use any of the songs for boy scouts, girl scouts, and church youth groups. I’ve written articles for each of these groups, so check them out for more ideas. I’m always looking for new songs to sing around a campfire. If you have any favorites you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you.