A fortune teller is a fun game that’s also known as a cootie catcher, salt cellar, whirlybird or chatterbox. It’s a great way to get students talking about their future.
First, fold the paper in a square shape so that the numbers are facing in. Then slide your thumbs and pointer fingers under the square flaps to operate the fortune teller.
How to play
One of the best ways to entertain a group is by making a paper fortune teller. It’s a pocket-sized piece of movable art and can be made in minutes with little more than a piece of paper, a marker and a few of your friends.
Start by folding the square paper diagonally from each corner. After that, fold it in half to make a smaller square. Afterward, crease the folds to ensure they stay in place when you are done.
Slide four fingers into the flaps of your paper trinket and see what happens. You can then move them like little puppets to read your friends’ luck o’ the tails or something. The trick is to be careful not to rip or crease the paper in the wrong place. The best way to accomplish this is by using a small sheet of paper that will measure the same on all sides. It’s also a good idea to use thin paper, as it will be easier to fold and operate.
Rules
In this game, each player uses a paper fortune teller to ask questions about their future. They can test their knowledge of mathematics or ask about which profession they’ll end up in, and whether they’ll get married.
In order to play, they should hold the four corners of the paper in their hands with index fingers and thumbs. They can also color or draw something on the paper to make it more interesting.
Once they’ve done that, they should try to fold their fortune teller in a certain way. They should then be able to move it with their fingers and ask their partner questions about their future.
This is a fun and engaging activity that can be enjoyed by all ages. It is a great activity for boosting children’s confidence as well as promoting language skills.
Materials
Making and playing with folded paper games, including “fortune tellers,” is a time-honored tradition of learning in cultures worldwide. These simple games are a great way to practice counting, language skills and social-emotional development while developing hand-eye coordination, a sense of shape and visual spatial concepts like triangle and half.
To fold your own fortune teller, start with a square piece of paper. Use scissors to cut off a small rectangle from one corner of the square.
After that, valley fold it from the other two corners to make a smaller triangle. Once you have a small triangle, unfold the paper and you’ll have a square fortune teller!
Question: If you draw 3 tiles and one cannot be placed, do you pick it (imagine it is a Wheel of Fortune tile that benefits you), then discard it and finally pick another tile? Or do you always have to choose a tile that can be placed?
Variations
The fortune teller game has plenty of variations that are sure to please any group of kids. Some variations of this origami wonder include a cootie catcher, a yes-no sex meter and even a wigwam.
There are also numerous variations of the traditional fortune teller that have been invented over the years, with each region’s version displaying its own unique features and abilities. While the fortune teller may be the most popular variation, other popular variants include salt cellar, chatterbox, whirlybird and snapdragon (see below).
Another very cool and slightly more complicated tidbit is the paper cootie catcher (the first time we’ve ever seen one) which features eight flaps that reveal messages hidden inside. You can find a free tutorial for the catcher here, or make your own if you’re feeling crafty. If you’re looking for a more modern take on the cootie catcher, check out this digital version that offers plenty of color and fun themes to choose from.
