Teach your kids how to make an origami fortune teller for a fun paper craft that doubles as a game they’ll spend hours playing.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more.
You might remember making an origami fortune teller, aka cootie catcher, in grade school. This is a great beginner craft that only has a few steps. Teach your kids how to make one, then see how many different ways you can use it for games, learning, and silly fortunes.
Origami fortune teller activities
Classic fortune teller
- Write a mysterious fortune beneath the inside flaps.
- Make them as vague as possible to get silly interpretations. For example: You’ll visit a new place, you might meet a stranger today, or you will find something that you lost.
Fortune teller game
- Instead of numbers to count, write words that kids have to spell out.
- Beneath the inside flaps, write different activities you have to do. For example: hop on one foot, do 5 jumping jacks, or sing a song.
Learning tool
- Number the outside as usual. For the inside, write a question on each flap and the answer beneath it.
- Questions could include math problems, trivia, or anything that could go on flashcards.
Become a Happy Camper!
Sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter
and get a free printable 30 Day Reading Calendar!
How to make a fortune teller
Supplies
- craft paper – White makes writing easier to read; colorful paper is pretty. Use whichever you prefer!
- scissors
- ruler, optional
- pens or markers
Instructions
1. Crease the paper into 4 sections.
Start with a square of paper. It can be any size, but generally 5-8 inches wide works best.
Fold the paper in half, crease, and unfold. Repeat the other direction. Your square should now have creases to mark 4 smaller squares.
2. Fold the corners to the center.
Next, fold the corner toward the center, making a triangle flap. Repeat with the other corners for 4 total. They should all meet in the center and more or less line up.
3. Fold the corners again.
Flip the paper over so that the open edges you just folded are facing down.
Fold the corner toward the center, making a triangle flap. Repeat with the other corners for 4 total. They should all meet in the center again.
4. Shape the corners.
Fold the paper in half to crease between each of the 4 sections and unfold. Separate each of the open corners by sliding your fingers into them.
Turn the fortune over. Open up the corners with the points facing up and open sides facing down.
5. Number or label the flaps.
On the outside flaps, number each square 1 through 4.
On the inside flaps, number each triangle 1 through 8. Beneath each flap, write a fortune or activity.
How to use a paper fortune teller
Hold the fortune teller.
For the easiest way to use it, hold the fortune teller with both hands. Your thumbs go in 2 of the pockets and pointer fingers in the other 2 pockets. This makes it easy to grip and move.
Pick a number and count.
With the fortune closed, choose a number from the outside 4. Open and close the fortune, alternating directions and counting the number chosen.
Hold the fortune open to reveal half of the inside numbers, based on how many times you opened it.
Pick a number and count again.
Next, choose a number from the ones visible inside. Repeat the opening and closing process, counting with the new number.
Reveal the secret.
When you finish, there will be a few numbers showing (and they might be the same ones). Pick one of those numbers and see what’s behind it.
Making an origami fortune teller is a classic kids’ activity! Make one this week with your little ones for a fun boredom buster.
Printable instructions
Origami fortune teller
Materials
- craft paper
- scissors
- ruler, optional
- pens or markers
Instructions
- Start with a square of paper. It can be any size, but generally 5-8 inches wide works best. Fold the paper in half, crease, and unfold. Repeat the other direction. Your square should now have creases to mark 4 smaller squares.
- Next, fold the corner toward the center, making a triangle flap. Repeat with the other corners for 4 total. They should all meet in the center and more or less line up.
- Flip the paper over so that the open edges you just folded are facing down. Fold the corner toward the center, making a triangle flap. Repeat with the other corners for 4 total. They should all meet in the center again.
- Fold the paper in half to crease between each of the 4 sections and unfold. Separate each of the open corners by sliding your fingers into them.
- Turn the fortune over. Open up the corners with the points facing up and open sides facing down.
- On the outside flaps, number each square 1 through 4. On the inside flaps, number each triangle 1 through 8. Beneath each flap, write a fortune or activity.
Plan your summer with the DIY Summer Camp Planner!
Our step-by-step guide will help you organize a day, a week, or a whole summer of fun activities for your kids.
