Make your own Cootie Catcher with this free printable!
I loved playing with cootie catchers as a kid. My friends and I would use them as our personal fortune tellers.
I’m always looking for creative activities to do with my nephews, and the idea of making a Cootie Catcher together seemed like a fun way to spend an afternoon.
To do this I created a couple printable cootie catchers.
Cootie Catcher Printable
I wanted to share these printable cootie catchers that I created with you here for free.
That way, you too can join in on the fun and make your own cootie catchers .
At the end of this post, you will find 2 different free printable cootie catchers you can download for free!
If you haven’t made a cootie catcher before or don’t know how to use one of these paper fortune tellers, no worries.
I’m going to take you step-by-step through how to make and use a cootie catcher.
What Is a Cootie Catcher
A cootie catcher also known as a fortune teller, is a fun paper game used for entertainment.
It’s made from paper and the folds in the paper create a device that can be manipulated with fingers to reveal hidden messages or answers.
Paper cootie catchers are typically decorated with colors, numbers, or words, and involve a series of choices that lead to a prediction.
How To Make A Cootie Catcher Step-By-Step Instructions
Making a cootie catcher paper toy is one of those easy crafts, just follow these step-by-step instructions:
Materials Needed to Make a Cootie Catcher:
- Free Printable Cootie Catcher or Blank Sheet of Paper
- Pens or Markers
- Scissors or Paper Trimmer
Step 1 – Download the Printable Cootie Catcher
Download and print a free Cootie Catcher template at the bottom of this post.
Step 2 – Cut Out the Cootie Catcher:
Cut along the outer edges of the Cootie Catcher on the free printable template, creating a large square piece of paper.
You can use scissors or a paper trimmer to do this. I prefer a paper trimmer to ensure it is cut evenly, but either will work well.
Step 3 – Fill Out Your Cootie Catcher:
If you’ve chosen the pre-filled template, you can skip this step.
Otherwise, it’s time to get creative filling out your Cootie Catcher! Consider using markers on your cootie catcher so it’s bright and colorful.
I love using the blank cootie catcher template because you can customize it however you like with colors and your own messages.
Step 4 – Fold the Cootie Catcher
Next, you’ll need to fold your Cootie Catcher so that it transforms into your personal paper fortune teller.
How To Fold Your Cootie Catcher
Here are the folding instructions to create the perfect Cootie Catcher:
1. With the printed side face down, fold the paper in half diagonally to form a triangle, then unfold.
2. Fold the opposite side of the paper in half diagonally to form a triangle going the other way, then unfold.
3. Fold each corner into the center.
With the printed side face down, take each corner of the square and fold it into the center point. This will create a smaller square.
4. Flip the paper over.
Turn the paper over so that the open folds are now on the backside.
5. Fold each corner into the center.
Take each corner of the square and fold it into the center point again. This will create an even smaller square.
6. Fold paper in half horizontally and vertically.
Take the paper and fold it horizontally and vertically, crease it well, and unfold.
7. Lift each of the four flaps using your index finger.
As you lift the flaps, fold the corners into the center.
Step 5 – Use Your Paper Fortune Teller
Now that your Cootie Catcher is filled out, folded, and all ready to use…it’s time to start telling some fortunes with it.
How To Use Your Fortune Teller
If you haven’t used a cootie catcher to tell fortunes before, not to worry. It’s extremely easy!
Pick a Color, Number, or Object
Start by asking someone to pick a color or item that is on the outside of the cootie catcher.
For this example I’m using the free printable colorful cootie catcher fortune teller.
So, let’s say you pick the color pink.
You would then move the cootie catcher back and forth 4 times using your right and left thumb and right and left index finger.
You move it 4 times because it is one movement for each letter of the word PINK.
If you chose purple, you would move the cootie catcher back and forth 6 times because there are 6 letters in the color purple.
Pick a Number
Have the person pick a number that is revealed after the 4 movements. P-I-N-K.
For example, lets say they now pick the number 3.
You then move the cootie catcher back and forth 3 times to reveal the next set of numbers.
Select Another Number
Ask the person to pick another one of the new 4 numbers.
Reveal the Fortune
Lift the flap of this selected number to reveal the fortune written on the inside!
Repeat or Share
You can repeat the process again or share the cootie catcher with others, taking turns making choices and discovering new fortunes.
These little origami fortune tellers are hours of fun!
Free Printable Cootie Catcher
I’ve included both style PDF printable cootie catchers in the free download. One is blank (fill it in with your own creative ideas) and the other is filled out and ready to go.
Note: All free printables and downloads on The Clever Heart are for personal use only. They cannot be redistributed or sold.
Simply, enter your info below to download your Free Cootie Catcher Printable PDF and your Cootie Catcher Fortune Teller (both templates are included in the download).
Additional Free Printable Cootie Catchers
Shark Cootie Catcher (Free Printable Template)
Final Thoughts On Fun & Free Printable Cootie Catcher
I hope that you enjoy using your free printable cootie catcher!
Consider making one for holidays…like a Thanksgiving cootie catcher, Christmas, Halloween cootie catcher, or Valentine’s Day, the options are endless.
I encourage you to get creative and design yours with unique jokes, fortunes, or random tidbits.
If you have any questions or are looking for additional cootie catcher ideas for your printable, let me know!
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