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 were 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 sit 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 chant 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 over the ocean. ooh B.ring (sit)B.ack (stand) my B.onnie (sit) for me. B.ring holder) B.ack (sit), B.ring holder) B.ack (sit), or B.ring holder) B.ack (sit) my 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 (stand) my B.onnie (sit) 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. Have the Cub Scouts come up with 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 guys; bees knees; bears and hairs; ants and pants; cougars and snot (snot is a cool word for a cub scout!); and many more that you can think of. There are some simple hand movements you can use in the chorus; move your finger like a flying mosquito. While singing: “Mosquito, fly high” lift your finger up “Mosquito, fly low” lower your finger down “If the old skeeter lands on me” place your finger on the knee, shoulder or other part of your body” He won’t 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 kids can make up their own verses. In the first verse, Jenny is wearing white. The word that she 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 won’t wear red, I prefer to stay in bed. gold, black; I won’t wear black, I’d rather 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 part that moves are your hands and arms. Here are the moves: pat your 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 it with the other hand. That’s all. Repeat over and over until you or the kids have had enough. This is another song that is fun to speed up or slow down every time you sing it.
  chumbara: I like to use this song for all ages and groups. It’s easy to learn, with just one word. It is 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 the campfire. If you have any favorites you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you.