# The Cookie Jar

"Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?" is a rhythmic call-and-response chant for groups, in which children accuse one another in turn of taking the cookie, keeping a steady clap-and-snap beat.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Sung in | English |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | traditional group chant; author unknown |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | playful, traditional |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/the-cookie-jar/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (en)

Group: (Tony) stole the cookie from the cookie jar!
Child: Who, me?
Group: Yes, you!
Child: Couldn't be!
Group: Then who?
Child: (Kristi)!

### Verse 2 (en)

Group: (Kristi) stole the cookie from the cookie jar!
(Continue with each child.)

## How to sing it

1. Keep a steady beat together — pat your knees, then clap, over and over.
2. The group chants the accusation on the beat; the accused child answers back in rhythm.
3. The accused names the next "thief", and the game rolls on around the circle.

## Common questions

**How does "Who Stole the Cookie?" work?**

As a call-and-response game with a steady beat. The group chants that one child "stole the cookie from the cookie jar"; that child protests — "Who, me? / Yes, you! / Couldn't be! / Then who?" — and passes the blame to another child, who is accused next. The challenge is to keep answering in time without breaking the rhythm.

**What is "The Cookie Jar" good for?**

Keeping a beat, listening, and quick thinking. Because everyone must stay on the clap-and-pat rhythm, it teaches timing and turn-taking, and it learns every child's name in the process.

**Who wrote "The Cookie Jar"?**

No author is recorded. It is a traditional group chant, widespread in schools and camps, passed on by ear with many small variations.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia — Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_stole_the_cookie_from_the_cookie_jar%3F)
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7997378