Activity Description: Youth work together as detectives to solve a cookie mystery using names and flavors.
Items Needed:
- Prepared clue cards (see suggestions after activity instructions)
- Girl Scout Cookie pictures or packages
- (Optional) Fun detective props or music
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20-35 min):
- Set the mystery scene. (5 min)
- Explain that one cookie has “gone missing” from the warehouse and the group must solve the case.
- Reveal the first clue. (2-5 min)
- Read a clue aloud that points to a cookie flavor. Youth must pick up the cookie picture or package they believe matches the clue and hand it to the leader.
- The leader confirms the choice before giving the next clue.
- Each correct cookie fact unlocks the next clue card.
- Incorrect choices are denied by the leader, and the group continues investigating until the right cookie is found.
- Follow the trail of clues. (10-20 min)
- Follow each clue until the end of the mystery.
- Solve the final mystery. (2-5 min)
- The last clue reveals the “cookie culprit.” Youth announce the answer together and celebrate solving the case.
Cookie Flavor Links
Cookie Detective Mystery Clues
(based on either LBB or ABC cookie set)
- Clue 1: This cookie is round and covered in chocolate.
(Answer: Thin Mints) - Clue 2: This cookie has stripes of caramel and coconut.
(Answer: Samoas/Caramel deLites) - Clue 3: The cookie has brownie and caramel flavor.
(Answer: Adventurefuls) - Clue 4: This cookie has peanut butter hiding inside a chocolate coating.
(Answer: Tagalongs/Peanut Butter Patties) - Clue 5: The cookie is gluten‑free and comes in a special package.
(Answer: Toffee‑tastic or Caramel Chocolate Chip, depending on baker) - Clue 6: The cookie culprit is sold only in certain councils.
(Answer: Lemonades or Lemon Ups) - Clue 7: This cookie has a crunchy shortbread flavor and is shaped like the Girl Scout trefoil.
(Answer: Trefoils/Shortbread) - Clue 8: The cookie culprit is new this year and has a rocky road‑like taste.
(Answer: Exploremores) - Clue 9: The cookie is two oatmeal cookies with peanut butter between.
(Answer: Do-si-dos/Peanut Butter Sandwhiches) - Clue 10 (Final Reveal): Now that you’ve looked at all the suspects, the cookie culprit is a the top seller nationwide but does not have any coconut in it.
(Answer: Thin Mints)
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Click Here -> See what GSUSA Requirements could be met in Facts Category
Leaders – please be aware of double dipping and make your own informed choice.
Info Needed for Cookie Facts: Learn the flavors and how much a box costs.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Daisy My First Cookie Business badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Brownie My Cookie Customers badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Brownie Cookie Decision Maker badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Junior My Cookie Team badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Junior Cookie Collaborator badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Cadette My Cookie Venture badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Cadette Cookie Innovator badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Senior My Cookie Network badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Senior Cookie Boss badge requirements.
Info Needed for Money Facts: Practice making change.
- Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Brownie My Cookie Customers badge requirements.
Info Needed for Research Facts: Research one aspect of cookies (i.e. digital marketing, cookie taste testing, market research).
- Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Cadette Cookie Market Researcher badge requirements.
This activity does not meet any Scouting America Requirements
