Girl Scout Cookies Bring a Big Surprise for 2026 Season

The Girl Scouts are adding a new cookie to their famous lineup. Starting in the 2026 season, troops will sell a new flavor called “Exploremores.” The flavor is inspired by rocky road ice cream and includes chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond crème.

The new addition comes after the group retired two flavors earlier this year. Girl Scout S’mores and Toast-Yay will no longer be sold. The Girl Scouts say the new flavor reflects the spirit of adventure that defines their mission.

Girl Scout Cookies Lineup for 2026

Exploremores will join a list of popular cookies such as Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Adventurefuls, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, Lemon-Ups, Lemonades, and gluten-free Toffee-tastic. According to Reuters, the national cookie program is one of the largest youth-led business models in the United States.

Each box will sell for $6. Prices are set by the national organization to ensure fairness across states. Troops will begin selling from January to April 2026, though dates may vary locally. For example, Connecticut troops will launch a shorter run from Nov. 1–9, 2025, tied to election week.

The cookies will continue to fund programs, activities, and leadership training. Revenue also supports volunteer resources and troop projects. Customers can also donate cookies to the “Cookies for Heroes Program,” which delivers boxes to service members, veterans, and community heroes.

Why the Cookie Season Matters

The Girl Scout cookie program is more than a fundraiser. It helps girls learn business skills like goal setting, decision-making, and money management. According to AP, the program has been running for over a century and remains a vital part of Girl Scout culture.

By adding a new flavor, the organization hopes to spark excitement among long-time buyers and new supporters. Retiring older cookies and adding fresh ones is part of keeping the program modern. Past additions like Adventurefuls have become fan favorites in a short time.

The 2026 launch will test if Exploremores can reach the same popularity as Thin Mints or Samoas. Scouts and families often use cookie sales to fund trips, camps, and service projects. For many, the cookie booth remains their first experience in sales and marketing.

Girl Scout cookies remain a symbol of tradition and change. The new flavor shows how the program adapts while keeping its core values alive.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the new Girl Scout cookie flavor for 2026?

The new flavor is called Exploremores. It is inspired by rocky road ice cream with chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond crème.

Q2: When does Girl Scout cookie season start?

The national season runs from January to April 2026. Some states may have earlier or shorter sales windows.

Q3: How much do Girl Scout cookies cost in 2026?

Each box costs $6. This price is set nationwide to ensure fairness across regions.

Q4: Which cookies were retired this year?

Girl Scout S’mores and Toast-Yay were retired in 2025. They will no longer be part of the lineup in 2026.

Q5: Where do cookie sale profits go?

Profits support troop funds, girl programming, and volunteer training. Some sales also support donation programs like Cookies for Heroes.