The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Who Stole the Cookie Out the Cookie Jar?

This game is a rhyme and response game. The players usually
play in a circle. This game is usually played by young girls.
No. of players: there should be at least 4 players.
Object: to respond when your number is called by singing the
rhyme and calling someone else's number.
Rules: players cannot gesture or hesitate.
The rhyme goes:
Who stole the cookie out the cookie jar?,
Number 2 (example) stole the cookie out the cookie jar,
(No. 2 responds) Who me?
Couldn't be,
Number (state a number) stole the cookie out the cookie jar.
The game continues in this manner.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-00-1978