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    Home » Crafts » Fortune Tellers

    Easy Paper Fortune Tellers (aka Cootie Catchers) for Kids 

    Love simple crafts for kids? Grab our 20 free printable fortune tellers, cootie catchers, joke tellers, and chatter boxes for kids!

     

    Easy Paper Crafts for Kids

    You may remember folding simple paper fortune tellers in elementary school. My childhood friends and I made them with notebook paper and markers.

    We called the folded paper games fortune tellers because we used them to "predict" the number of children we would have, determine our spouses, or pinpoint careers.

     

    The History of the Fortune Teller

    Fortune tellers are a simple paper game made by folding a square of paper into a moveable device with 8 flaps that are filled with messages or “fortunes.”

    Never heard of fortune tellers? You may have called them cootie catchers, salt cellars, or chatterboxes depending on where you lived as a child.

    The exact origin of the cootie catcher is unknown (some claim they came from 17th century Europe while others believe they are a Japanese origami invention) but it’s safe to say that they were popular with children all over the world by the early 20th century.

    This back to school paper fortune teller is a conversation starting game for elementary school students and adults. Use the free printable to get kids talking about their back to school concerns and get a glimpse into their brains. Cootie catchers/ fortune tellers are a easy back to school activity that kids love.

    Fortune Tellers for Today's Kids

    When my kids entered elementary school I was reintroduced to origami fortune tellers and was amazed at the continued popularity of these simple paper crafts!

    As a busy mom I appreciate easy crafts that give me time to interact with my kiddos. Plus fortune tellers:

    • Keep kids off of electronic devices!
    • Teach simple origami folding skills!
    • Are full of fun surprises kids love!

     

    FORTUNE TELLERS REINVENTED

    I turned the fortune teller of my past into simple crafts that are fun for parents & kids (or teachers & students) by replacing the silly predictions we wrote as kids with jokes for kids, conversation starting questions, and even random acts of kindness.

    The themes of the cootie catchers range from holiday jokes to boredom busters. Each comes with a full color version to print, a black and white version to print and color, and complete folding instructions.

     

    WANT MORE FORTUNE TELLER FUN?

    Get my HUGE 12 Month of Furtune Tellers bundle today!

    The instant download e-book contains 39 fortune tellers for spring, summer, fall, and winter. All major holiday are covered!

     

    Free Printable Fortune Tellers

    The 20 fortune tellers below are available for free download. Simply enter your email address in each post and you'll get an email with the joke teller attached.

    Easter Joke Teller with kid

    Silly Easter Joke Teller for Kids

    A joke teller is a great St. Patrick’s Day treat for kids. The free printable project (with easy folding instructions) takes less than 5 minutes to complete. The joke teller (sometimes called a cootie catcher or fortune teller) contains 8 fun St. Patrick’s Day jokes for kids and fun Saint Patrick’s Day designs. It’s the perfect non-candy treat for all ages.

    St. Patrick’s Day Joke Teller for Kids

    Thanksgiving is full of family & chaos. Print this free Thanksgiving joke teller to kids entertained while you serve dinner.

    Thanksgiving Joke Teller: Kids’ Activity

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    Christmas Joke Teller fortune teller Closed

    Christmas Joke Teller (Fortune Teller) for Kids

    Encourage a spirit of generosity & giving in children with this giving activity for kids. This easy Christmas craft is a free printable Random Acts of Kindness for Kids Christmas Cootie Catcher. Learn how to fold a cootie catcher / paper fortune teller.

    Random Acts of Kindness for Kids: Christmas Cootie Catcher

    Halloween Joke Tellers for Kids - Make easy Halloween cootie catchers with your kids for a delightful Halloween treat that focuses on fun not sugar or candy. Free printable Halloween craft for kids. Halloween fortune Tellers. Healthy Halloween treat for kids.

    How to Make Halloween Joke Tellers for Kids

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    Easy Mother’s Day Craft for Kids: Fortune Teller

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    Father’s Day Jokes: Joke Teller Craft

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    New Year’s Eve Party Game for Kids – Fortune Teller

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    Help children practice thankfulness with this gratitude activity for kids. This easy Thanksgiving craft is a free printable Thanksgiving Cootie Catcher. Learn how to fold a cootie catcher / paper fortune teller.

    Gratitude Activity for Kids: Thanksgiving Cootie Catcher

    This back to school paper fortune teller is a conversation starting game for elementary school students and adults. Use the free printable to get kids talking about their back to school concerns and get a glimpse into their brains. Cootie catchers/ fortune tellers are a easy back to school activity that kids love.

    Back to School Paper Fortune Teller for Kids

    How to Select a Movie Your Family Will Love - Have you ever tried to select a movie to watch with assistance from children? This movie selector makes movie night a lot more fun. Print out the free movie selector, have each child add a few of their favorite movies, and then play a round to choose a movie for the night.

    How to Select a Movie Your Family Will Love

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    Hi, I'm Bren! I believe you deserve a clean home without having to compromise your family's health or safety.

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