Make a Cootie Catcher (Origami Fortune Teller)

This article will explain how to make a cootie catcher, also known as a paper fortune teller, chatterbox, salt cellar, or whirlybird. These are very good boredom busters, and are easy to make.

Steps

  1. Prepare your paper. To make a fortune teller/cootie catcher/chatterbox, you must use a piece of paper that is in the shape of a square, like origami paper. If you have a rectangular piece of paper, you can fold it into a square and cut off the excess. To do this, fold one corner of the paper diagonally across until the edges line up. There should be a long rectangular piece of unfolded paper left on the bottom, which should be removed by cutting or tearing.

    • You can always use leftover shipping paper, if you'd like.[1] Just make sure that it's cut in the shape of a square!
  2. Decorate one side if you want to.

  3. Fold your paper lengthwise. With your paper now in the shape of a square, fold it in half so that the edges line up and you’re left with a rectangular shape. Crease the edge so that the fold is defined and secure. Then, unfold the paper back into the shape of a square.

  4. Fold your paper widthwise. When your paper has been unfolded back into its original square shape, fold it in half again but this time in the opposite direction of the previous fold. Crease the fold to keep it in place, and then unfold the square again. The square should have a large ‘X’ going through the center of it now.

  5. Fold the corners in towards the center. Work your way around the square, folding each of the corners in towards the center. There should be a rather defined center point as a result of your previous folding, so matching up the four corners in the center should be easy. You should be left with a (folded, obviously) smaller square/diamond shape.

  6. Flip the paper over, and fold the corners in again. Flip your folded paper over so that the previously folded corners are facing downwards, and the flat, smooth top side of the paper is facing you. Repeat the aforementioned step of folding all the corners inward to meet at the center. This will once again leave you with a smaller square/diamond shape.

  7. Fold the paper in half again in each direction. Your cootie catcher is in the final stages of folding! Before you finish up the main shape, reassert the creases by folding the paper in half in both directions. This will make the cootie catcher easier to open up.

  8. Pull the tabs towards you. Flip the paper back over, and there should be four small squares that are formed and are open at the corners. Pull these outwards, and the center should fold inwards a bit. Insert your fingers into the empty spaces, and you should be finished![2]

  9. Add your fortunes and information to the cootie catcher. Typically there are three main sections of the cootie catcher that need to be labeled. When you are holding the catcher, each of the four corner tabs should be labeled with a color. When you flatten out the catcher, the inside tabs should be labeled on the outside with a number. Lastly, each of the inner tabs should be labeled with a fortune/note (under a corresponding number) to be read when opened up.[3]

  10. Finished.



Tips

  • You can experiment with very large cootie catchers and very small ones.
  • If you have a rectangular piece of paper, get a ruler and make the sizes equal.
  • Make sure that the flaps are folded gently.
  • If you want to make miniature ones, don't use Post-its. The sticky edge will just get in the way while you fold and when you play.
  • It's easiest to make the cootie catcher before decorating and putting the words and numbers on it.
  • You can experiment with different kinds of fortunes. Some could be common and relevant to someone's life, while others could be big and bold, such as "you will win American Idol and become the president of Sweden." Switch things up a bit to make it more interesting.
  • How to play:

    • If you have made the Yes/No Cootie Catcher, ask someone a question.
    • If you made one with random sayings, the person can just start by picking one of the words on the outside.
    • After the person has stated his or her question out loud (or not), have him or her pick one of the colors and work your fingers back and forth, one for each letter.
    • Example: "R, E, D," you open it one way, then open it the other way, then open it back the first way to correspond with the 3 letters in the word "red." You will open it more times for a longer word, such as "yellow."
    • Have the person pick a visible number from the inside, and move the cootie catcher for that amount of numbers. Decide how many times the person will pick a new visible number and work the cootie catcher back and forth. Have the person choose a final number and underneath that number, open up the flap. There is the answer to the question!
    • This process may be hard at first, but once you do it once, it will become easy.

Warnings

  • These are not meant to offend any religion or religious views, these are for entertainment only.
  • Make sure the fortunes you put in your fortune teller won't make anyone upset. (so funny comments don't make the person feel bad!)

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ [v161070_b01]. 15 November 2019.
  2. ↑ http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-fortune-teller.html
  3. ↑ http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/ArtsAndCrafts/Crafts/CootieCatchers.html
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