South Pacific Islands | Ideas for Thinking Day*

Boise, Idaho Troop 388’s country for Thinking Day* was Fiji. They won best presentation, which the girls did totally and best snack.The South Pacific includes thousands of islands spread between Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. Troops that choose South Pacific countries for their booth will learn about fascinating people and cultures. MakingFriends®.com has ideas and products to help make your celebration a success.

Craft ideas for this region include all kinds of tropical swapping pins. Girls may also be surprised to find penguin Swapping pins and crafts are appropriate because penguins can be found in sourthern climates such as the Galapagos Islands and New Zealand.
Girls who are excited about their New Cuisine, Locavore and Dinner Party badges may take a special interest in learning about South Pacific countries through tasting their unique foods. Troops that serve South Pacific food will have many options. Fish (served raw, poached or grilled) has long been the primary source of protein for Pacific Islanders. Root vegetables such as taro, sweet potatoes and yams, are central to the diet of the region. A wide variety of tropical fruits are also eaten in large quantities. These include coconut, bananas, plantains, mangoes, papayas, pineapples and breadfruit- any of which could be served as a snack.
Costumes for the South Pacific may include typical tourist garb like sunglasses and flip-flops as well as native grass skirts and shell jewelry. For South Pacific decorations drape your booth in tapa cloth and cut large cardboard boxes to represent the giant statues of Easter Island. Create palm trees for a beach scene that incorporates a path of stones for your guests to simulate the native costume of fire walking. Swapping pin ideas for South Pacific countries include woven baskets and a beach in a bag.

Fun Fact: There are about 7,500 islands in the South Pacific, only about 500 of which are inhabited.

*MakingFriends®.com is not affiliated with, endorsed by or a licensee of Girl Scouts of the USA