How To Make A Cootie Catcher (Origami Fortune Teller): 10 Steps

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How to Make a Cootie Catcher Fortune Teller: Easy Steps with Pictures Download Article Tell your friends’ fortunes with this fun origami project Co-authored by Robert Homayoon and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: November 27, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Making a Cootie Catcher
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This article was co-authored by Robert Homayoon and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Robert Homayoon is an Origami Expert known for his engaging YouTube videos and accessible instructions. He has been teaching origami on YouTube since 2009. His channel has a following of over 676,000 subscribers, and his videos have garnered over 211 million views. Robert uses his channel to highlight his passion for teaching people origami, crafts, and how to solve puzzles. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 2007 and earned his D.M.D degree from Temple University Dental School in 2013. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,213,415 times.

Looking for something fun to do at your next sleepover or whenever you’re hanging out with friends? Why not tell their fortunes? Cootie catchers (or paper fortune tellers) are a fun way to pass the time and come up with fun “future” scenarios. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps to make and use your own cootie catcher. Your future awaits!

Cootie Catcher Instructions: Visual Overview

Steps

Section 1 of 2:

How to Make a Paper Fortune Teller

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1. 1 Cut a piece of paper into a square. Origami paper works best, but printer paper or construction paper will also work. If you’re starting with a rectangular piece of paper, fold it into a square by folding one corner diagonally across until the edges line up. There should be a long rectangular piece of unfolded paper left at the bottom, which you’ll then cut or tear off.[1]
   • Feel free to decorate the paper if you want to, but remember you’ll be writing your fortunes on it later!
2. 2 Fold your paper lengthwise. With your paper now in the shape of a square, fold it in half so that the edges line up and you’re left with a rectangular shape. Crease the edge so that the fold is defined and secure. Then, unfold the paper back into its original square shape.[2] Advertisement
3. 3 Fold your paper widthwise. Fold your paper in half again, but this time in the opposite direction of the previous fold. Crease the fold to keep it in place, then unfold the square again. The square should have a large ‘X’ going through its center.[3]
4. 4 Fold the corners in towards the center. Work your way around the square, folding each of the corners in towards the center. There should be a rather defined center point as a result of your previous folding, so matching up the four corners should be easy. You’ll be left with a folded, smaller square/diamond shape.[4]
5. 5 Flip the paper over, and fold the corners in again. Flip your folded paper over so that the previously folded corners are facing downwards and the flat, smooth top side of the paper is facing you. Repeat the previous step of folding all the corners inward to meet at the center. This will create another small square/diamond shape.[5]
6. 6 Fold the paper in half again in each direction. Your fortune teller is in the final stages of folding! Before you finish up the main shape, reassert the creases by folding the paper in half both directions. This will make the cootie catcher easier to open up.
7. 7 Pull the tabs toward you. Flip the paper back over, and there should be four small squares that are open at the corners. Pull these outwards, and the center should fold inwards a bit. Insert your fingers into the empty spaces. At this point, you’ve successfully made an origami fortune teller![6]
8. 8 Add your fortunes and decorate your cootie catcher. Typically, there are 3 main sections of your fortune teller that need to be labeled. When you’re holding the fortune teller, label each of the 4 visible corner tabs with a color. Then, flatten out the catcher and label the inside tabs with a number. Lastly, open up each of the inner tabs and write a fortune under each number.[7]
   • For the outer tabs, either write the name of the color or draw a circle in that color.
   • Your “fortunes” can be as simple or outrageous as you want! For example, write “You will win a million dollars” or “Something amazing is coming your way tomorrow.”
   • Now that you’ve finished making your cootie catcher, continue to the next section to learn how to use it!
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Section 2 of 2:

How to Play With a Cootie Catcher

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1. 1 Slide your fingers under the tabs and have a friend pick a color. Spell out the color your friend chooses, opening the cootie catcher for each letter you say (you’ll alternate from front-to-back and side-to-side). When you say the last letter, leave the cootie catcher open to reveal the numbers inside.[8]
2. 2 Ask your friend to pick a number. The process is similar to the last step; when your friend picks a number, you’ll count to that number, opening and closing the fortune teller as you go. Leave the cootie catcher open when you finish counting.[9]
3. 3 Have them pick one more number, then reveal their fortune. This time, when your friend selects a number, open the flap and read the corresponding fortune. Fold the cootie catcher back up, and play as many times as you want![10]
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Community Q&A

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• Question How do I use a cootie catcher? Community Answer Ask the player to pick a color, then spell the color's name. With each letter switch the cootie catcher's visible numbers by opening and closing your hand. once the color is spelled, ask them for a number. Count to that number, opening and closing your hand for each number counted. Do this again with a different number of their choosing. Then when done counting this number, open the corresponding flap. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 68 Helpful 195
• Question Would it be a bad idea to rig it to tell my crush I like them? Community Answer Not at all, I think that's a very cute idea. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 66 Helpful 142
• Question Could I use construction paper? Community Answer Yes, you can use construction paper. Make sure to use a thinner kind, as thicker ones don't really fold well. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 38 Helpful 82

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Tips

• If you want to make miniature ones, don't use Post-its. The sticky edge will just get in the way while you fold and when you play. Thanks Helpful 123 Not Helpful 62
• If you have a rectangular piece of paper, get a ruler and make the sizes equal. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 4
• Experiment with very large cootie catchers and very small ones. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• Ask your teachers before bringing your fortune teller to class with you. Some schools ban fortune tellers in class because it's a distraction, but other schools might be ok with it as long as you're not using it in class.
• Wanna snazz it up a bit? Use colorful paper! However, construction paper isn't suggested because it's harder to fold.

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• These are not meant to offend any religion or religious views; these are for entertainment only. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Things You'll Need

• A square piece of paper
• Scissors
• A pencil/pen
• Crayons, markers, paint

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References

1. ↑ https://www.redtedart.com/how-to-make-a-cootie-catcher-step-by-step-instructions/
2. ↑ https://welcometonanas.com/diy-paper-fortune-teller-cootie-catcher/
3. ↑ https://welcometonanas.com/diy-paper-fortune-teller-cootie-catcher/
4. ↑ https://www.scoutingvermont.org/uploads/4/7/2/2/47226097/cootie-catcher-how-to-fold.pdf
5. ↑ https://www.scoutingvermont.org/uploads/4/7/2/2/47226097/cootie-catcher-how-to-fold.pdf
6. ↑ http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-fortune-teller.html
7. ↑ https://welcometonanas.com/diy-paper-fortune-teller-cootie-catcher/
8. ↑ https://welcometonanas.com/diy-paper-fortune-teller-cootie-catcher/
9. ↑ https://www.printablesfairy.com/how-to-make-cootie-catcher/

More References (1)

10. ↑ https://welcometonanas.com/diy-paper-fortune-teller-cootie-catcher/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Robert Homayoon Origami Expert This article was co-authored by Robert Homayoon and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Robert Homayoon is an Origami Expert known for his engaging YouTube videos and accessible instructions. He has been teaching origami on YouTube since 2009. His channel has a following of over 676,000 subscribers, and his videos have garnered over 211 million views. Robert uses his channel to highlight his passion for teaching people origami, crafts, and how to solve puzzles. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 2007 and earned his D.M.D degree from Temple University Dental School in 2013. This article has been viewed 1,213,415 times. 8 votes - 75% Co-authors: 151 Updated: November 27, 2025 Views: 1,213,415 Categories: Featured Articles | Paper Toys In other languages Spanish Russian Italian Dutch French Czech Thai Korean Japanese

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Reader Success Stories

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  Christina Mansfield

  Aug 6, 2016

  "I just needed a quick reminder as to how to make this fortune teller, which I've recapped easily and have..." more

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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Robert Homayoon Origami Expert 8 votes - 75% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 151 Updated: November 27, 2025 Views: 1,213,415

Christina Mansfield

Aug 6, 2016

"I just needed a quick reminder as to how to make this fortune teller, which I've recapped easily and have..." more

K. E.

Aug 12, 2016

"I'm planning my wedding, and saw cootie catchers being used as programs on Pinterest. Those are sold for a..." more

Anonymous

Dec 31, 2017

"This was very helpful and I learned how to make a cootie fortune in minutes (after I had eventually got a square..." more

Alysa Muglington

Oct 26, 2016

"This helped very much. I'm glad there were step-by-step clips to help, and even a written description! "

Lia S.

Nov 2, 2023

"Thank you for making this article. It really helped a lot! Now I can play a very fun game." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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