Paper fortune tellers, also known as cootie catchers, are a delightful way to entertain friends and make playful predictions. With just a few simple folds and some creativity, you can craft your own. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make a paper fortune teller.
Materials Needed
- One square piece of paper (any size, but 6×6 inches works well)
- Colored pens or markers
- Optional: stickers and decorative items
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these paper fortune teller instructions to create your own interactive puzzle:
- Start with a square piece of paper. If you have a rectangular sheet, fold one corner diagonally to the opposite edge and trim the excess.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally. Open it up, and then fold it diagonally in the opposite direction. This creates creases that cross at the center.
- Fold all corners to the center. This step should form a smaller square.
- Flip the paper over and fold the corners to the center again.
- Fold the entire square in half. Make sure you can see the folds forming pockets.
- Slide your fingers under the flaps and push them together to form the fortune teller shape.
Folding the Fortune Teller
Folding the fortune teller is key to its functionality:
- Place the square paper with the open flaps facing you.
- Lift the flaps slightly and allow the paper to fold along the creases. This should form a three-dimensional shape that sits comfortably on your fingers.
- Adjust each corner, ensuring the folds are crisp and the shape is symmetrical.
Customizing Your Fortune Teller
Personalize your paper fortune teller with colors and messages:
- Add colors: Use colored pens or markers to decorate the outside flaps with different colors or patterns.
- Write fortunes: Inside the hidden flaps, write fun fortunes or messages. These can range from “You will have a great day!” to “A surprise is waiting for you.”
- Include numbers or symbols: On the outer folds, write numbers or symbols that will guide the player in choosing the flap to open.
How to Play with a Paper Fortune Teller
Once you’ve made and customized your fortune teller, it’s time to play:
- Place your fingers inside the pockets of the fortune teller.
- Ask a friend to pick a number or color from the options on the outside.
- Open and close the fortune teller: If they choose a number, open and close the fortune teller that many times. If they choose a color, spell out the color as you open and close it.
- After the final count or spelling, have them choose one of the visible numbers or colors.
- Lift the flap to reveal their fortune. Enjoy the reactions and fun predictions!