How to Make a Cootie Catcher




A cootie catcher goes by many names: a 'scrunchie', fortune teller, chatterbox, and so on. Whatever you call it, you'll likely recognize one when you see it, since most people played with these origami toys as a kid. Whether you want to make one with a child or you are just reminiscing, here's how to turn a piece of paper into a fortune teller.

Steps   [edit]

  1. Fold on the diagonal and cut or tear off any excess to form a square.
    Fold on the diagonal and cut or tear off any excess to form a square.
    Start with a square piece of paper. If you can fold two opposite corners together and crease it into a triangle, and there's no overhanging paper on one side, it's square.
  2. Decorate one side.
    Decorate one side.
    If you like, decorate one side.
  3. Fold in half horizontally.
    Fold in half horizontally.
    Fold the square paper in half, (towards the decorated side, if there is one), to make a rectangle.
  4. Fold in half vertically.
    Fold in half vertically.
    Unfold it, turn it, and fold it in half at a right angle from the previous fold, but towards the same side of the paper, (the decorated one). Unfold it. Now you have the square with one horizontal and one vertical crease down the center.
  5. Lay the paper decorated side down.
    Lay the paper decorated side down.
    Turn the paper over so that the colorful side faces down, (that is, with the creases pointed up).
  6. Fold the points in toward the center.
    Fold the points in toward the center.
    Like so.
    Like so.
    See the spot in the center where the creases meet? That's the Center. Take each point of the square and fold it so the point touches the Center.
  7. Turn over and...
    Turn over and...
    Turn the whole thing over so you're working with the back side now. (Note that it's double thickness now.)
  8. ...fold the points in again.
    ...fold the points in again.
    Take the new points of the square and fold them to each touch the Center as well.
  9. A thick little square.
    A thick little square.
    You'll end up with a thick little square. Fold it in half into a rectangle, then fold that rectangle in half once again into a square. Open up these last two folds; you just need the creases.
  10. Pull the flaps with loose points out.
    Pull the flaps with loose points out.
    Pull the flaps with the loose points away from the body so you can fit your index fingers and thumbs under those flaps (one finger or thumb per flap).
  11. Work the corners...
    Work the corners...
    ...back and forth.
    ...back and forth.
    With your fingers under the flaps, push the four outside corners together so that you have something resembling a flower shape. Your old friend the Center is now the bottom point of the flower. All your fingers are together at first, but you can now "work" it back and forth to reveal the inside.
  12. Flaps will reveal the hidden answers, as soon as you write them in.
    Flaps will reveal the hidden answers, as soon as you write them in.
    Form the cootie catcher. Write four words on the outside flaps, number the inside flaps, then write some kind of fortune, picture, insults, or compliments under the inside flaps. These are the hidden answers.


Tips   [edit]

  • It's easiest to make the cootie catcher before putting the words and numbers on it, or otherwise decorate it.
  • Yes/No Magic Cootie Catcher (unfolded)
    Yes/No Magic Cootie Catcher (unfolded)
    Use one of your old cootie catchers as a template for future ones. Unfold it to find the template and designs.
  • This is a great activity for babysitters to play with kids.
  • You can experiment with very large cootie catchers and very small ones.
  • How to play:

    • If you have made the Yes/No Cootie Catcher, ask someone a question.
    • If you made one with random sayings, the person can just start by picking one of the words on the outside.
    • After the person has stated his or her question out loud (or not), have him or her pick one of the colors and work your fingers back and forth, one for each letter.
    • Example: "R, E, D," you open it one way, then open it the other way, then open it back the first way to correspond with the 3 letters in the word "red." You will open it more times for a longer word, such as "yellow."
    • Have the person pick a visible number from the inside, and move the cootie catcher for that amount of numbers. Decide how many times the person will pick a new visible number and work the cootie catcher back and forth. Have the person choose a final number and underneath that number, open up the flap. There is the answer to the question!


Warnings   [edit]

  • Don't use insults with little children.
  • Ask an adult before using scissors.


Things You'll Need   [edit]

  • A square piece of paper
  • Scissors to cut off any part of the paper that wasn't square.
  • A pencil for writing on the cootie catcher. You can use the side of the pencil to rub across the folds and make nice straight creases.
  • Crayons, markers, paint, or other ways to decorate the cootie catcher.