How to Earn the Girl Scout Brownie Snacks Badge

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Updated April 2023

The Brownie Snack Try it is one of the most fun badges for the girls to earn, and it is also one of the messiest and hands on for you to lead. This badge is very similar to the old Brownie program’s Make It, Eat It, Try It that my troop earned back when they were Brownies.

Many children today are well aware of what constitutes healthy foods and non-healthy foods. This is not only taught in school, but is also preached to them on various Public Service Announcements on popular children’s television channels.

As their Girl Scout leader, you can help them learn about making their own snacks and healthy choices. The best part is that they get to make it themselves, an opportunity that not every child gets to have.

Photo by Sicha Pongjivanich. freegigitalphotos.net

Before you decide to tackle this badge, you need to consider a few things:

• Does anyone in your troop have food allergies?
• Does your meeting place permit food to be used?
• If you can bring in food, are you able to actually prepare things in the space?
• Will you be able to get volunteers? (An absolute necessity to earn this badge) You need to give them notice to find childcare for other siblings and/or get out of work early.
• Do you want to hold this meeting in your home or that of your co-leader?

When my troop earned the Make It, Eat It, Try It badge, we were able to do the activities in our meeting space and I had several extra volunteer moms helping-including one who was a trained chef!

It was very successful because the girls got to make everything and then have a tasting party! I did this through time managed stations.

Since this badge has five steps like all the others, it is easy to complete in one meeting time doing the station method. Just make sure that everything is no bake and kid friendly.

Materials

• Food labels-one healthy, one unhealthy-for girls to look at for the same product (for Step 1)
• Plastic tablecloths
• Paper or plastic plates, forks, spoons and cups
• Bin for bringing home dirty dishes and utensils that you will be using
• Equipment needed for cooking each recipe
• Hand wipes in case a sink is not nearby
• Paper towels for spills
• Containers to bring extra food home
• Plastic bags for other leftover food

Winco Disposable Chef's hat 9 inches pack of 10


The girls will enjoy wearing these as they earn their badge! Anyone who finishes early can decorate the brim with markers. 

Step 1 Jump Into the World of Snacks

Ask the girls if they can tell you some healthy snack choices, and then ask them to name some unhealthy ones.  Hand out the food labels you have run off. Ask the girls what seems to be a healthy food and what is not. If you cannot pronounce it, you should not eat it!

This would also be a good time to go over safety and sanitary rules for cooking. It is also a good idea to make sure they use their manners-no saying “Ew!” or “That’s disgusting!”.  As I tell my students, "Don't yuck my yjm!".

Then divide the girls into groups for stations. Designate a volunteer to be a timer or set the timer on your phone to make sure that you have enough time for the girls to make each treat and taste it, as well as time to clean up at the end.

Yes, you will be making foods several times over, but all girls need to have the same experience. That is why you have containers and plastic bags to take things home.

Step 2 Savory Station

Explain to the girls that savory snack is not a sweet snack, it is either salty or spicy.

You can have the girls make an easy hummus dip (like this one) or an easy homemade ranch dressing (like this one here).

Then have the girls peel carrots, slice up cucumbers, and cut celery for dipping fun.

 

Use fun mini cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of cheese and place them on crackers.

Cookie Cutter Set from Amazon

Step 3 Make a Sweet Snack

This station is sure to be a home run with everyone! There are plenty of no bake treats for kids to make. Some that are several steps would be Dirt in a Cup, mini parfaits, and mini trifles. If you are saving everything for a tasting party at the end, write the girls names on the plastic dessert cups near the top before they fill them.

You can also use those Keebler mini cracker pie shells to make mini pudding pies (I made banana pies with my troop).

Step 4 Snacks for Energy

Sometimes we need a quick pick me up snack that is high in protein and healthy as well. If you are free to use peanuts and other nuts with your group, there are plenty of easy no bake recipes for you to try. 

Here are some resources:

11 No Bake Energy Bites 

No Bake Energy Bites

No Bake Easy Energy Bars

Easy No Bake Energy Bars for Kids

Is there a girl in your troop with peanut allergies? Then this blog post has no bake energy snacks that have nut free options. Be sure to clear it with the parents before purchasing any of the ingredients.

Image created by the author in Canva

Step 5 Slurp a Snack

You will need a blender for this station.

Here are some smoothie recipes for kids:

Super Healthy Kids

Remember to have the girls thank the volunteers who helped make this delicious badge possible!