The Ultimate Girl Scout SWAPS Ideas List (50+ Crafts to Make & Trade!)
This post and the photos within it may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Looking for Girl Scout SWAPS ideas? You’re in the right place! This ultimate list includes 50+ fun and easy SWAPS your troop will love. From colorful crafts to clever keepsakes, these are perfect for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors to make and trade at camp, cookie booths, and troop events.
SWAPS stands for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” They’re small, handmade crafts that Girl Scouts exchange to celebrate friendship and remember special moments. Below you’ll find tons of creative inspiration and easy tutorials to help your troop get started!
When my daughter was younger and in Girl Guides (the Canadian version of Girl Scouts), we discovered the wonderful world of SWAPS and quickly became hooked.
Her Brownie troop spent hours crafting little SWAPS together. They would sit in a circle making them before campouts, meetings, and big events, and when the day finally arrived, the girls were so excited to trade their creations.
After every event, my daughter came home with her SWAPS blanket covered in dozens of tiny keepsakes she had traded with new friends. Each one told a story and brought back memories of the people she had met.
Even though my daughter has now aged out of Guides, I still remember how much fun we had with SWAPS. Today I’m sharing everything you need to know about Girl Scout SWAPS, plus a big list of easy SWAPS for Girl Scout meetings and ideas you can make with your troop.
What Are Girl Scout SWAPS?
Girl Scout SWAPS are small, handmade crafts that girls trade at troop events, camps, and ceremonies. SWAPS stands for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere” and are a fun way for scouts to meet new friends and collect keepsakes from their Girl Scout journey.
SWAPS are designed to be simple, small, and easy to pin or clip onto hats, vests, lanyards, or blankets.
Most SWAPS are:
- Less than 2 inches in size
- Durable enough to handle trading, carrying, and displaying
- Made with inexpensive craft supplies like safety pins, beads, pipe cleaners, foam shapes, cardstock, and yarn
At their core, SWAPS are about building friendships. They give girls a way to connect, share stories, and bring home little keepsakes that remind them of the fun they have had with their troop and the community they are part of.
You can read more about Girl Scout traditions and ceremonies here.
Why Do Girl Scouts Make SWAPS?
Girl Scouts and Girl Guides make SWAPS to meet new friends, express creativity, and collect special keepsakes from events. Crafting SWAPS helps girls build confidence, practice skills, and feel connected to the larger Girl Scout community.
SWAPS are a treasured part of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides for so many reasons:
- Girls get a chance to meet new friends and connect with other troops.
- Crafting SWAPS helps develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and confidence.
- Each SWAP gives girls an opportunity to share something personal from themselves and their troop.
- The tradition allows them to feel proud of their role in Girl Scouts and their place in the larger community.
- Most of all, making SWAPS is simply fun and rewarding.
One of my favorite things about when my daughter’s troop made SWAPS was how they made sure each girl had a set to keep. Every time they crafted SWAPS, the girls would make at least two of each design. One was brought home and one was added to a bag labeled with their name that the troop leader kept.
When the girls attended events where SWAPS were traded, the troop leader handed out each girl’s bag so they had plenty of SWAPS ready to trade. I always thought it was extra special that my daughter had her own copy of each SWAP design, just like the ones she was giving to new friends. It made the experience even more meaningful because both she and the person she traded with had matching tokens of friendship.
Whether your troop is full of brand new Daisies, eager Brownies, or creative Juniors, SWAPS can become one of the most memorable parts of their scouting experience.
When & Where Do Girls Trade SWAPS?
Girls trade SWAPS at Girl Scout camps, cookie booths, troop meetings, bridging ceremonies, rallies, and special events. SWAPS can also be traded at school or community events, making them a fun way to share scouting with friends.
Some girls also trade SWAPS outside of official Girl Scout events, like at school, community events, or with friends who love to craft. If your troop is looking for a fun activity for the end of the school year, SWAPS can be a great project to make and trade at school too.
SWAPS are typically traded at:
- Girl Scout cookie sales and fall product sales
- Summer camps and overnight camping trips
- Daisy, Brownie, Junior, and multi-level troop meetings
- Bridging ceremonies
- Day camps and special events
- Regional, national, and international rallies
How Do You Make Girl Scout SWAPS?
To make Girl Scout SWAPS, create a small, lightweight craft using materials like felt, beads, pipe cleaners, or foam. Attach each design to a safety pin or string loop so it can be easily traded, worn, or displayed.
How Do You Make Easy Girl Scout SWAPS?
Easy Girl Scout SWAPS use simple supplies and quick assembly steps. Choose designs that can be made in batches, like beaded safety pins, foam shapes, pipe cleaner crafts, or pre-cut felt designs that younger girls can help create.
I have a ton of easy Girl Scout SWAPS ideas below!
How Do You Make Girl Scout SWAP Pins?
To Make Girl Scout SWAPS pins, attach your finished craft to a safety pin using a hole punch, string, or looped wire. The pin makes it easy for girls to trade and display SWAPS on hats, bags, lanyards, or SWAPS blankets at Girl Scout events.
SWAPS Supplies List
One of the things I always loved about making SWAPS was how simple and affordable it was to gather supplies. You probably have many of these things already in your craft stash, but I’ve also created a Girl Scout SWAPS Supplies Amazon Storefront to make shopping easy.
Here are some of my favorite SWAPS supplies:
- Safety pins (the must-have supply for almost every SWAP)
- Pipe cleaners
- Pony beads, alphabet white pony beads, emoji beads and seed beads
- Perler beads
- Craft foam
- Felt
- Card stock
- Construction paper
- Printable bookmarks
- Rainbow ribbon
- Ribbon in rainbow colors
- Craft glue or hot glue (with supervision)
- Self adhesive googly eyes
- Sequins and glitter
- Cotton balls
- Pom poms
- Yarn, embroidery floss, and baker’s twine string
- Pom pom makers
- Hole punch (use to create a hole to insert safety pin or loops)
- Stickers, charms, or buttons
- Small zip-top bags (great for packaging multiple SWAPS)
- Toothpicks
- Faux Fur
- Popsicle sticks
- Faux leaves
- Rainbow Loom
- Paper umbrellas
- Faux leather
- Clothespins
- Faux flowers
- Acrylic paint
- Paint pens
- Puffy paint
- Jewelry wire
If your troop wants to get fancy, you can also use small shrink plastic shapes, keychains, or pre-cut felt pieces.
SWAPS Safety Tips
If you are making SWAPS with younger girls, here are a few tips to keep everyone safe and happy:
- Keep SWAPS small. Under 2 inches is ideal for easy pinning and trading.
- Use child-safe scissors and non-toxic glue.
- Supervise hot glue gun use, especially with younger girls.
- Avoid small choking hazards for younger siblings or Daisies.
- Pre-cut pieces ahead of time to make crafting easier for younger troops.
50+ Fun & Easy Girl Guide and Girl Scout SWAPS Ideas
Now for the fun part. Here is a big list of SWAPS ideas to inspire your troop. You will find tons of simple, easy-to-make crafts that work well for Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and Guides.
Bridging Ceremony SWAPS Ideas
Bridging is a special moment when a Girl Scout moves up to the next level in her scouting journey. It’s a time to celebrate everything she’s accomplished so far while getting ready for new adventures, new skills, and even more fun with her troop.
These bridging SWAPS are a perfect keepsake for this milestone moment.
Camp SWAPS Ideas
Camp is one of the most memorable parts of the Girl Scout experience! Whether it’s summer camp, troop camping, or an outdoor adventure, these camp-themed SWAPS are fun to make, easy to trade, and a great way to capture those happy campfire memories.
Felt Craft SWAPS Ideas
Felt is one of my favorite materials to craft with for SWAPS! It’s easy to cut, comes in tons of colors, and holds up great when the SWAPS are being pinned, traded, and packed for events. These felt SWAPS are colorful, creative, and perfect for troop crafting sessions.
Beaded SWAPS Ideas (Perler & Pony Beads)
Beads are a SWAPS favorite because they’re so versatile and work well for all age levels. From simple pony bead designs to more detailed perler bead projects, these ideas give your girls tons of ways to get creative while making fun, colorful SWAPS to trade.
Yarn SWAPS Ideas
Yarn crafts are a great way for scouts to build fine motor skills while creating adorable SWAPS. Whether you’re wrapping, weaving, or making pom poms, these yarn-based ideas are fun, bright, and easy to personalize with different colors.
Pipe Cleaner SWAPS Ideas
Pipe cleaners are one of the most budget-friendly and troop-friendly craft supplies out there. They’re flexible, colorful, and perfect for making quick SWAPS that still have lots of personality. Here are some super cute pipe cleaner SWAPS your girls will love making and trading.
“In A Bag” SWAPS Ideas
These “In A Bag” SWAPS are always a hit because they’re simple to prep, easy to store, and fun for the girls to hand out. Plus, adding a little label or message inside the bag makes them extra special and great for trading at large events.
Girl Scout Cookie SWAPS Ideas
Is it really Girl Scouts without cookies? These cookie-themed SWAPS are a fun way to tie in one of the best-known traditions of scouting. Perfect for cookie season events, booth swaps, or just for fun with your troop!
Extra Fun SWAPS Ideas
Here’s where you’ll find even more creative and unique Troop SWAPS ideas that don’t fit into just one category. These are perfect if your troop wants something a little different or if you’re looking for new ideas to mix things up.
SWAPS Kits You Can Buy
Short on time? These SWAPS kits are a lifesaver for busy troop leaders (and moms!). They include everything you need to make adorable SWAPS with your girls — just open, assemble, and start crafting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Girl Scout SWAPS
What are Girl Scout SWAPS?
Girl Scout SWAPS are small, handmade crafts that girls make and trade at events like camps, meetings, and cookie booths. SWAPS stands for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere” and creates a fun way for scouts to meet new friends and share memories.
How do Girl Scout SWAPS work?
Girls craft SWAPS ahead of time and bring them to events to exchange with other scouts. After trading, SWAPS are usually displayed on hats, lanyards, blankets, or pin boards as a collection of scouting memories.
Can you put Girl Scout SWAPS on a Daisy vest?
While SWAPS can be temporarily pinned on a Daisy vest, it’s best to save the vest for official badges and insignia. Many scouts display their SWAPS on separate items like hats, sashes, or special SWAPS blankets.
How do you make Girl Scout SWAPS?
To make a SWAP, create a small, lightweight craft using materials like felt, beads, pipe cleaners, or foam. Attach it to a safety pin, string, or loop so it’s easy to trade and display at events.
What are some easy Girl Scout SWAPS ideas?
Easy SWAPS are simple to make in batches and use basic supplies. Try designs like beaded safety pins, foam shapes, pipe cleaner animals, or mini felt crafts that younger scouts can help assemble.
How do you attach Girl Scout SWAPS to pins?
Attach your SWAPS to safety pins using a hole punch, loop of string, wire, or a small bead loop. This makes it easy for scouts to trade and pin them onto their display items.
What are Girl Scout SWAPS?
They are small, handmade tokens that girls trade at Girl Scout and Girl Guide events. SWAPS stands for Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.
More Fun Ideas For Your Troop!
Looking for even more fun projects to pair with your Girl Scout SWAPS ideas? Whether you’re planning a troop meeting, campout, or crafting day, here are some of my favorite free printables, crafts, and SVG files that your scouts will love:
🧭 Camping Printables & Activities:
If your troop is planning a camping trip, grab these camping printables to add to the fun!
- Camping Scavenger Hunt Printable – Free Download
- Free Camping Activities Printable Placemat + 18 Camping & Road Trip Printables
- Browse all of our printable kids activity sheets here
📚 Printable Crafts for Kids:
Looking for more fun craft ideas to do with your troop? These printable crafts make fun additions to kids craft time!
- Spring Bird Bookmark Craft (Perfect for Homeschooling!)
- Sparkle Mermaid Bookmark Printable
- Browse all printable kids crafts here
🔥 Camping & S’mores SVG Files:
If you love crafting SWAPS use your Cricut to craft troop t-shirts and gear with these free camping SVG files.
More S’mores Fun:
Love s’mores as much as we do? Check out our favorite s’mores recipes to make at camp or home!
These are all perfect extras to keep your Girl Scouts crafting, creating, and having fun together!
Now It’s Your Turn To Create Your Own Girl Scout SWAPS and Share the Fun!
SWAPS were one of my favorite parts of my daughter’s time in Girl Guides. Not only were they fun to make, but they created memories that we both still treasure. Whether your troop is crafting for camp, cookie sales, or a special event, SWAPS are a wonderful way to build new friendships and express creativity.
Did you find a few new Girl Scout SWAPS ideas to try with your troop? Pin this post so you can reference it for your next Girl Scout event — and share it with other troop leaders who need a little SWAPS inspiration too!
Pin now and save for later!
Girl Scout SWAPS are small, handmade crafts that girls trade at Girl Scout events. SWAPS stands for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.”
Girls make SWAPS before an event and trade them with others. After trading, SWAPS are pinned to hats, lanyards, vests, or special SWAPS blankets.
SWAPS can be pinned temporarily on a Daisy vest, but most girls display them on hats, bags, or SWAPS blankets to save vest space for official badges.
Use lightweight craft supplies like felt, pipe cleaners, beads, or foam. Keep SWAPS small and durable, and attach them to safety pins or loops for trading.
Choose simple designs that can be made in bulk, like pipe cleaner flowers, printable tags, felt shapes, or foam crafts. Pre-cut pieces make them even easier.
Most SWAPS are attached to safety pins using holes, loops, or beads. This makes them easy to pin, trade, and display at events.
I love these fresh ideas! I have an American Heritage Girls Troop (AHG) but never did any scouting, so I never heard of SWAPS! My girls love them.
Preschool summer camp teacher looking for SWAP ideas and found some great ones!
I love them especially the emoji one it is just so fun to make them
I was a Junior leader for twelve years I enjoyed making swaps they fun.