Make A Paper Fortune Teller: Easy Origami Guide
Remember those fun paper fortune tellers from childhood? Also known as cootie catchers, they're a super simple origami project that anyone can master. This guide will walk you through the steps to create your own paper fortune teller, bringing back some nostalgic fun and maybe even telling a few 'fortunes'!
What You'll Need
- A square piece of paper (origami paper works great, but any paper will do)
- Pens, markers, or crayons to decorate
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Fold in Half: Start by folding your square piece of paper in half, making a rectangle. Crease well and unfold.
- Fold in Half Again: Fold the paper in half again, but this time in the opposite direction, creating another rectangle. Crease well and unfold. You should now have creases that divide the paper into four equal squares.
- Fold Corners to the Center: Take each corner of the square and fold it towards the center, so the point of the corner meets in the middle of the square. Crease each fold well. You should now have a smaller square with four flaps.
- Flip It Over: Turn the folded square over to the other side.
- Fold Corners to the Center (Again): Repeat step 3. Fold each corner of this side towards the center, creasing well. You'll have an even smaller square with four new flaps.
- Write Numbers or Colors: On each of these four flaps, write a number (1-8 is common) or a color. These will be the options for your fortune teller.
- Write Fortunes: Lift each flap to reveal the inside. On each of the eight triangles inside, write a different fortune or prediction. Get creative and have fun with it!
- Prepare to Operate: Fold the square in half, bringing the numbers/colors together. Then fold it in half again in the other direction. This softens the folds and makes it easier to manipulate.
- Pinch and Slide: Now, the tricky part! Slide your thumbs and index fingers under the four corner flaps. Gently pinch your fingers together and push upwards to form the fortune teller shape. It might take a little practice to get it moving smoothly.
Playing the Fortune Teller Game
- Ask a Question: Have someone ask a yes/no question or choose a number or color from the outside flaps.
- Operate the Fortune Teller: Open and close the fortune teller the number of times corresponding to the number chosen, or alternate directions for colors.
- Reveal the Fortune: After the last movement, have the person choose one of the visible numbers or colors. Lift that flap to reveal their fortune!
Tips and Tricks
- Use colorful paper and markers to make your fortune teller visually appealing.
- Get creative with the fortunes! Write funny, silly, or even inspiring messages.
- Experiment with different folding techniques to create variations.
- If you're having trouble with the folding, search online for video tutorials – seeing it in action can be helpful.
Variations and Further Fun
Once you've mastered the basic fortune teller, you can explore variations. Try using different sized paper, adding more decorations, or even creating themed fortune tellers for holidays or parties. You could even create one with fun facts or trivia questions instead of fortunes.
Making a paper fortune teller is a fantastic way to entertain yourself and others. It’s a simple, inexpensive craft that encourages creativity and interaction. So, gather your paper and pens, and start folding!
