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Resources / Crafts

Valentine's Day Paper Fortune Tellers

My nostalgia for cootie catchers (also called paper fortune tellers) is strong. I can still see my marker-stained fingers from decorating them and remember passing them under desks with my friends, teasing each other about our latest crushes.

If you aren't familiar with them, a paper fortune teller is a fun game made from folded paper. You can decorate them with pictures, numbers, and colors and conceal eight messages under the flaps. The messages can predict the future (think Magic 8 Ball yes-or-no answers or fortune cookie fortunes), share sweet compliments, or have activities for you to do.

Cootie catchers are a super fun and easy craft. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or as party favors for birthdays—a great alternative to cheap plastic dollar store favors that quickly end up in the trash.

Read on for a free printable pdf, how to make one, how it works, and ideas for what messages to write inside!

Free printable pdf of the valentine's day cootie catcher paper fortune teller from nuthatch studio

Printable Valentine's Day Paper Fortune Teller

I made this one for Valentine’s Day, but you can use it as a guide to make your own for any occasion.

Note: by downloading this PDF you agree to the Terms & Conditions; TL;DR: This is for personal use only, do not sell.

download pdf
Video on how to make the valentine's day fortune teller by Nuthatch Studio

How to Make One

  1. Cut out the square template. If you are making up your own: start with a blank square sheet and add your decoration and messages at the end.
  2. With the decorated side face down, fold the paper in half and then unfold. 
  3. Fold in half the other way and then unfold again.
  4. Next, fold each corner into the middle.
  5. Flip the paper over and fold each corner to the middle again.
  6. Fold in half and slide your fingers under the flaps on the backside.
  7. Pinch and push toward the center to create the flower shape.
How to use paper fortune teller by Nuthatch Studio

How it Works

  1. Ask the player to choose a number shown on one of the four flaps.
  2. Open and close the fortune teller the same number of times as the chosen number.
  3. Next, ask the player to choose a conversation heart from one of the inside flaps. Open and close the fortune teller spelling out the letters.
  4. Then, prompt the player to pick another conversation heart from one of the inside flaps.
  5. Lift up the chosen flap to reveal their fortune!

fortune message ideas

Need help brainstorming messages to write in your own fortune teller? Here are some ideas to help you get started.

Valentine's Pun Messages

These sweet animal-themed puns are purr-fect for Valentine's Day!

  1. You're otter this world!
  2. You are roar-some!
  3. You make me hoppy!
  4. You are paw-some!
  5. You're a-mew-zing!
  6. You are fin-tastic!
  7. You are one in chameleon!
  8. You're a tweet-heart!

Activity Fortunes

Make it interactive with fun physical activities and challenges for kids.

  1. Waddle like a penguin
  2. Draw a friend's portrait
  3. Do 20 jumping jacks
  4. Do your best animal impression
  5. Crab walk around the room
  6. Lick your elbow
  7. Challenge someone to a game of tic-tac-toe
  8. Tag! You're it!

Would You Rather...? Fortunes

"Would you rather...?" questions are fun for any occasion. This version makes for a fun ice-breaker/get-to-know-you kind of activity too. These questions are pretty tame, but you can get weird with the right audience. ;D

  1. ...be able to fly or breathe underwater?
  2. ...eat pizza or ice cream?
  3. ...have a dance party or pool party?
  4. ...read a book or watch a movie?
  5. ...vacation at the beach or in the mountains?
  6. ...go to the moon or the bottom of the ocean?
  7. ...act in a movie or write the script for a movie?
  8. ...have a lot of friends or a lot of pets?

Magic 8 Ball Fortunes

To play this version, have your player ask the fortune teller a "yes" or "no" question and then reveal their fortune. All these fortunes are some variation of yes, no, or maybe, but you can still have fun with it!

  1. You better believe it!
  2. Without a doubt
  3. Yes, definitely!
  4. Most likely
  5. Ask again later
  6. The future is hazy
  7. Very doubtful
  8. My sources say no

Chrissie Van Hoever

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