Smart Cookies for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors
Cookie Business Badge Series
Audience: This series is for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors and is suitable for in-school and
after-school sites.
Purpose: This series will help Girl Scouts learn about our Cookie Program and earn cookie business
badges. The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls five key business skills: Goal Setting, Decision
Making, Money Management, People Skills and Business Ethics. Through the cookie program, girls
learn skills essential to business and leadership and build confidence which will help them succeed in
life.
Duration: Six 25-30 minute sessions. Each session lists the badge requirements met to ensure girls
are earning their badges.
Prior to Series: Materials lists are given at the beginning of each session. Please ensure you have the
required materials before arriving at the site.
Girl Scout Cookie Business Badges Earned:
Daisies: Count it Up and Talk It Up
Brownies: Meet My Customers and Give Back (optional, see Session 5 requirements)
Juniors: Cookie CEO and Customer Insights (optional, see Session 5 requirements)
All three grade levels can participate in activities together with the exception of Session 5. If you have a
multi-level troop and cannot separate for Session 5, Brownies and Juniors will only earn one Cookie
Business badge each.
Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) Outcomes Achieved:
Discover 1: Girls develop a strong sense of self
Discover 2: Girls develop positive values
Discover 3: Girls gain practical life skills
Connect 1: Girls develop healthy relationships
Take Action 2: Girls are resourceful problem solvers
Take Action 4: Girls educate and inspire others to act
Session 1: Get To Know the Super Six
Required Materials: Copies of “Get To Know The Girl Scout Cookies” sheet (1 per girl), markers (at
least 1 per girl) and Cookie Matching Game sheet (1 per girl)
Badge Requirements Met: Daisy Count It Up Steps 1 and 2; Junior Cookie CEO Step 4
Get To Know The Girl Scout Cookies (5 minutes)
Welcome the girls to the Smart Cookies series, which will prepare them for an exciting cookie season!
Ask the girls if they knew that the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the
world—and they get to be a part of it!
Begin by passing out the “Get To Know The Girl Scout Cookies” handout. This shows a picture of the
six cookie varieties girls will be selling, along with a description of each cookie. Ask the girls if they have
ever tried one of the cookies, and if so, which is their favorite. Have them look at this sheet really
carefully, because the next activity will test their memory of the cookies.
Cookie Matching Game (5 minutes)
Pass out a Cookie Matching Game sheet and a marker to each girl. Have the girls turn their “Get To
Know…” sheet upside down so they cannot look at the answers. Challenge the girls to complete this
without looking at the “Get To Know…” sheet. After the girls have taken their best guess, go over the
answers and see how many each girl guessed correctly. Girls may use a different color for each cookie
or use one color for their guesses and another to correct.
Why Sell Cookies? (5 minutes)
Many girls may not be familiar with the Girl Scout Cookie Program, so it is easiest to start from the
beginning and explain why girls are participating in the program. Let them know that they will gain
business and leadership skills important for their future through the fun series over the next six
sessions, and then hands-on through cookie sales. They will be selling cookies to their family, friends,
neighbors and teachers and in return, they will gain confidence to succeed and earn money the group
can use towards something special. For each box the girls sell, their group will earn money to buy Girl
Scout uniforms, throw a party, and/or give back to their community. The more boxes sold, the more
girls can earn or do. It is super easy and fun!
Juliette Says… (10-15 minutes)
Ask the girls if they know who Juliette Low is. If they do not, let them know that she is the founder of
Girl Scouts. Since the beginning of Girl Scouts, girls have sold cookies to raise money and become
junior business leaders. They are continuing a century-old tradition and becoming a part of the largest
girl-led business in the world!
Have the girls spread out throughout the room. Explain that you are going to play “Simon Says” but this
version is called “Juliette Says” in honor of Juliette Gordon Low. When you call “Juliette Says…” the
girls should follow the command given. If you just call the command, they should not follow it. Use the
list on the next page, enhanced with some super seller skills, and feel free to make up some more if
time allows. Mix them up as desired and remind the girls at the end that these commands from Juliette
will help them sell cookies!
Juliette Says…
Stand up straight
Smile!
Wave hello
Walk around the room with your head held high
Walk around the room and look into peoples’ eyes
Walk around the room and shake hands with everyone you pass
Introduce yourself to your neighbor
Cross the room and ask someone if they would like to buy Girl Scout cookies!
Walk around the room and say thank you to everyone you pass
Session 2: Goal Setting
Required Materials: Two pieces of flipchart paper or large sheets of paper, markers and a calculator
(can use one on cell phone)
Badge Requirements Met: Daisy Count It Up Step 3 (completes petal); Daisy Talk It Up Steps 1 and 2;
Brownie Meet My Customers Step 1; Brownie Giving Back Steps 1 and 2; Junior Cookie CEO Step 1
Brainstorm! (5-10 minutes)
Tell the girls that they all have to agree on how to spend their cookie earnings. They should think of
something realistic that they can earn through their efforts. You may also want to encourage the girls to
set aside some money to purchase supplies or materials for a group of animals or people in need. Give
the girls a minute to think, and then go around the room and have each girl give her idea of how the
money should be spent. Write their ideas on the piece of flipchart paper with a marker so the girls can
see their ideas list. Some realistic options may include a pizza, ice cream or other party in the spring or
at the end of the year, or purchasing Girl Scout merchandise, such as vests or sashes (the Girl Scout
uniform) or tee shirts.
Is It Feasible? (2-3 minutes)
Quickly skim the list created by the group. If there are any that are not possible, explain to the girls why.
For example, a trip to Six Flags sounds like fun, but the money would need to cover the cost of the
ticket, bus and food for not only the girls but also the chaperones. A laptop for each girl would be great,
but how many boxes would it take for each girl if they receive $.60 per box? Once you explain which
options are not feasible, cross these off the list.
Choose a Group Goal (5 minutes)
Now it is time to choose the group’s goal. This goal can be adjusted later on in the series if the girls
change their minds. Discuss the options as a group and then take a blind vote to determine which
option the girls prefer. Once the group has chosen the goal, do some quick math on a calculator (most
phones have this feature) and figure out the approximate amount of boxes per girl they will need to sell.
How Will We Get There? (10-15 minutes)
Brainstorm some potential customers through one of the two activities:
1. Goal Graffiti: Allow the girls to draw their cookie goal on the large piece of paper, including what they
want to spend their cookie money on and who they can talk to in order to reach their goal.
2. Play Big Wind Blows with a twist: have the girl in the middle name someone they will ask to buy Girl
Scout cookies (e.g. Mom, Neighbor, Uncle, etc.). See below for original rules.
Everyone stands in a circle with one person in the middle. The person in the middle says “The Big Wind
Blows for anyone ______.” They fill in the blank with something like "wearing socks," "who has a
birthday in September," etc. Everyone who fits that description has to go into the middle of the circle
and find a new place to stand; they cannot stay in their own spot and they cannot go to the spot
immediately beside them. The person in the middle tries to get a spot on the edge of the circle and this
leaves someone in the middle, who makes the big wind blow again.
Session 3: Selling Skills
Required Materials: Cookie Match Cards (1 set per 3-4 girls) and lightweight ball
Badge Requirements Met: Brownie Meet My Customers Steps 2 and 3; Junior CEO Steps 2
and 3
Team Cookie Match (5 minutes)
Break the girls into groups of 3-4 and give each a set of cookie pictures, names and descriptions. See
how quickly the girls can match all six cookies correctly!
Selling Skills and Money Cents (10-15 minutes)
Gather the girls in a circle and pass the ball to one girl. Ask the girl one of the questions below. Allow
her to answer, and once she has it correct, she can pass the ball to another girl who will answer a
different question. Continue until everyone has had at least one turn. Feel free to add additional
questions to the ones below—the goal is to have the girls start thinking about what they should say to
customers and think about how they would need to make change for those who pay them in cash.
NOTE: Some questions involve math too complex for Daisies—modify as needed!
Questions
How much is a box of cookies?
How many types of cookies do we sell?
How many cookies have chocolate?
What is the name of the lemon cookie?
What kinds of cookies have peanut butter?
What is your favorite cookie and why?
What is your group’s cookie goal?
How many boxes do you need to sell individually to reach your goal?
Imagine you want to sell cookies to your neighbor. How could you ask her?
A customer has purchased one box and gives you $5. How much change do you need to give?
A customer has purchased one box and gives you $10. How much change do you need to give?
If it costs $8 for two boxes of cookies and a customer gives you $10, how much change do you need to
give?
If a customer has $20, how many boxes can she buy?
How much does it cost for a customer to buy 3 boxes of cookies?
If a customer wants one of each kind, how much money does that cost?
Can a customer pay with quarters?
Who should ask customers to buy cookies, you or your parent? Why?
Name three people you are going to ask to buy cookies.
If you have a question about cookies, who can you ask?
Should you ever walk around your neighborhood selling cookies alone? Why or why not? (Answer: NO!
Always go with a parent/guardian!)
Who Do You Need? (5-10 minutes)
Ask the girls, who will help you sell cookies? How can they help you achieve your goal? Then have the
girls pass the ball, each naming one way they can help the group with cookie sales. Maybe one girl will
volunteer to check with everyone to make sure they remember to collect money, and another girl will
answer questions about how to best talk to people about buying cookies. Every girl has something to
give—whether they are good at math, love to talk to others, or like to keep everything organized!
Together everyone achieves more—TEAMwork!
Session 4: Role Play Good Customer Relations
Required Materials: Bag of Customer Relations Scenarios (1 bag per 20 girls) and copies of Customer
Research Survey (5 per girl, use only if working with Juniors towards their Customer Insights badge for
Session 5)
Badge Requirements Met: Daisy Talk It Up Step 3 (completes petal; Brownie Meet My Customers Step
4; Junior Customer Insights Step 5
Role Play Good Customer Relations (entire session, save 2 minutes for closing discussion)
Divide the girls into pairs. Allow each pair to pull one scenario from the bag and give the girls 5-10
minutes to prepare a short skit showing good customer relations skills. One girl will need to be the
customer and the other will need to be the Girl Scout (note: Daisies may need help reading their
scenario).
Once the girls are ready, ask one pair at a time to perform their short skit for the group. After each
performance, members of the audience may suggest one way to expand or improve the interaction and
one thing they learned from the skit. Make sure to applaud each pair at the end!
Closing Discussion (2 minutes)
Conclude the session by recapping good customer relations skills. If your group will be working on the
Brownie Giving Back badge, have them make a note to ask three different people what improvement
they would like to see in their community before the next session. The girls should write those three
responses down and be ready to talk about them next time. If your group will be working on the Junior
Customer Insights badge, pass out five copies of the Customer Research Survey to each girl. Each girl
should ask five different adults to complete the survey, bring them all back to the next session and be
ready to discuss their results.
Session 5: Learn More About Cookie Sales
Required Materials for Daisy, Brownie or Mixed Program: Flipchart paper or large piece of paper, a
marker and masking tape
Required Materials for Junior Program (earning the Customer Insights badge): extra Customer
Research Surveys for girls to review if they forgot to bring them back and a Cookie Competition packet
Badge Requirements Met: Brownie Giving Back Steps 3 and 4 (if using specialized activities); Junior
Customer Insights Steps 1-4 (completes badge).
NOTE: Brownies will not earn the Giving Back badge and Juniors will not earn the Customer Insights
badge unless they complete the extra activities below during this session. Daisies will still earn both
Cookie Business badges and Brownies and Juniors will earn one badge each.
Daisy or Mixed Age Program
101 Girl Scout Cookie Tips (15 minutes)
Hang the piece of flipchart paper to the wall using masking tape. Ask the girls to brainstorm 101 selling
tips and write each one on the paper so everyone can see. Ideas could include ways to sell, reasons
customers should buy or buy more cookies, places to sell and customers to approach.
Who Stole the Cookies? (10-15 minutes)
This classic, amusing song will help everyone get in the cookie spirit! Have the girls sit in a circle and
begin a rhythm by slapping their laps and then clapping their hands. While repeating this rhythm, begin
the song using the lyrics below:
Accuser: Who stole cookies from the cookie jar?
[Girl’s Name] stole the cookies from the cookie jar!
Accused: Who, me?
Everyone: Yes, you!
Accused: Couldn’t be!
Everyone: Then who?
Accused: [Girl’s Name] stole the cookies from the cookie jar!
Then repeat until everyone’s name has been called or as time allows.
Activities For Brownie Giving Back Badge
Community Insights (10 minutes)
Ask the girls to share what their three people thought the community needed. Compile a list of these
ideas or simply note trends emerging from everyone’s responses. Then discuss with the girls to choose
a feasible way they could work towards one of these improvements using their cookie proceeds.
Revise Cookie Goal (5 minutes)
Have the girls revise their cookie goal so they can give back with some of their cookie proceeds. Even
a small percentage of their total goal counts towards earning the badge!
If time allows, choose one of the activities from the Daisy or Mixed Age Program!
Activities For Junior Customer Insights Badge
Customer Research Survey Results (10-15 minutes)
Have the girls share their results from the survey and discuss. Were there any trends they could notice
about what customers want, what they buy and why?
Cookie Competition (15 minutes)
Ask the girls if their family usually buys the same snacks or cookies every week or if they buy different
cookies. If they do vary their purchases, how do they decide what to buy? Then hold up one of the
Cookie Competition sheets at a time and ask the girls the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Does your family buy these cookies?
If so, why? If not, why not?
Do you think this package makes you want to buy them? Why or why not?
How does this cookie compare to Girl Scout cookies?
Repeat until girls have discussed each cookie competitor.
Session 6: Get Ready to Sell!
Required Materials: Construction paper, markers or colored pencils and a few pieces of small poster
board
Badge Requirements Met: Brownie Meet My Customers badge Step 5 (completes badge).
NOTE: Brownies will complete their Giving Back badge once they sell cookies and share with their
customers how they are using their proceeds to give back. Juniors will complete their Cookie CEO
badge once they begin selling cookies and tracking their goal progress.
Goal Check-In (5 minutes)
Remind the girls of their goal and ensure the girls are ready to reach that goal. Does anyone feel they
should change their goal? Are there any ways we can reach the original goal and include a way to give
back to the community?
Thank You’s and Marketing Posters (remainder of the session)
Now that the girls understand the importance of goal setting with their cookie sales, it’s time to have fun
and get ready to sell! Allow girls to make thank you notes they can give to their favorite customers that
express how the purchase of Girl Scout cookies helps them reach their goal. Girls may also create a
small poster to hang in their meeting place (they MUST ask permission from the site first.) or anywhere
else that will help them reach more customers, including a cookie booth. This poster should also
include a sentence of how cookie sales are helping them learn new things and reach their goal. Girls
may work individually or as a group on their cards or posters as long as each girl creates at least one
thank you card to give to a customer.
Congratulations! Now your girls are ready to go sell cookies!