Interest Badges

They’re designed to build their independence too, as girls choose which badges they do and how and when they do them.

Completing interest badges has always been a much-loved part of guiding. And in 2018 we bought our badges right up to date (though we’ve kept some old favourites too). They focus on fun. And are designed to open girls’ eyes to activities they might not have tried before, or allow them to dig deeper into the things they love.

At home, on holiday, anywhere they like. This means they can choose whichever interest badges they like without having to go with the group decision. It gives them the space to develop their independence and self-confidence while having fun and trying something new. 

Many can be done in a few hours or over a weekend. They’re as time-intensive as a girl chooses to make them. They don’t have to be done all at once. Instead girls can plan them around their other commitments. 

Each interest badge consists of three challenges, but we don’t tell girls exactly what to do. Instead they choose how they tackle each challenge and each girl will do something unique. There’s no 'right' way to do it and this encourages girls to be creative and challenge themselves.   

When they have done the challenges girls will share what they've achieved with their leader. And once she agrees that the badge is complete she will sign her badge book and present her with the badge.

If girls struggle to find the time or resource to complete interest badges at home, leaders can give them the space and inspiration to complete them in unit meetings, or on camps and trips.

Rainbows now have the chance to complete interest badges. While they may need a little support from an adult, the badges have been designed so they won’t need too much. It’s a great chance for parents to see just how much fun guiding is. 

Brownies have plenty of badges to choose from. They’re just right for their age group and there are plenty of fresh topics to spark their interest, like the Aviation badge in partnership with EasyJet. 

 With a broad mix of topics available, every Guide should find lots of interest badges to suit her, from Fitness to Photography.

Rangers interest badges will offer a fun taste of topics ranging from the serious to the silly. Flexibility is key here to fit around Rangers’ busy lives and offer an alternative to the pressure of school. Why not give the Digital Design badge, supported by Google, a try? 

We made a call out for new badge ideas through our #BadgeGoals campaign and have turned some of your brilliant ideas into new badges. The campaign was also a way to test existing ideas and it was great to hear we were on the right track.  

Every single badge has been tested by girls in guiding. Over 1,000 girls – and parents – took part in focus groups, unit testing and in consultations at camps and events like Wellies and Wristbands.

Girls were asked to rate how much they enjoyed the badge. Any badge that didn’t pass the enjoyment test was redeveloped and retested.

Our members also helped us design the badges. We weren’t sure if badges should only feature an illustration. But the feedback was clear - girls wanted the badge name to help them remember what the badge was when looking back over their guiding experience.
Every single badge has been checked to make sure that the writing is legible, the colours and illustrations look right, and when it comes to Brownies that they fit on the sash!