How To Make a Paper Fortune Teller

Ah, reliving games from our youth. A fortune teller is a fun craft for kids of all ages — even for preschoolers exploring their motor skills. The folding process is simple and the cues are easily modified to suit interests. All you’ll need for this project is a piece of square paper.

The easiest way to get a square piece of paper? Fold an 8.5” x 11” sheet so that the top edge folds diagonally to the left side. Create a firm crease along the fold and use scissors to cut away the overhanging length. Then, you're ready to make your fortune teller.

1. Fold the square piece of paper on the diagonal, then unfold and repeat. The unfolded paper should have a crisp ‘X’ in the center.

2. Create two more folds in the paper to create a ‘+’ in the center when unfolded.

3. Lay the paper flat in front of you. One by one, align and crease each corner so the tip meets the intersection of creases in the center of the paper.

4. Flip the square over without unfolding it. You’re going to fold each of the new corners inwards again, matching each tip to the center crease of the paper.

5. At this point, you’ll have eight triangles upright on the table. There are no rules here, so feel free to play to your audience. Use a pencil or marker to fill a number into each triangle. We’re demonstrating with numbers, but you could list eight different animals, colors, types of candy, career paths or whatever you wish.

6. Flip the folded fortune teller over and you will see four squares. Choose four things to list in these squares. We’re demonstrating by listing colors, but you can do anything you want — seasons, emotions, M-A-S-H.

7. Flip the fortune teller back over. You’ll be looking at the numbers again. This time, open the fold beneath 1-2. Write a secret fortune in the space. Then, open 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and write additional fortunes. A few thought starters: “You will be very wealthy.” “Your new job will work out.” “You’ll be cast in the school play.” “It’s going to rain on your birthday.” You get the idea! Close the flaps once you’ve filled out all the spaces.

8. Lift the corner of each of the four “squares.” Use your thumb and pointer finger from each hand to force the folds into position and create the dimensional fortune teller.

Not sure what to do from here? Easy!

• Have a friend pick a color (as demonstrated). Open and close the fortune teller as many times as there are letters in the color. For example, O-R-A-N-G-E = 6 open/closes. B-L-U-E = 4 open/closes.
• Have the same friend pick a number. Open and close the fortune teller that many times.
• Have your friend pick another number. This time, open the flap beneath the number to reveal the fortune.