Introduction
Remember the days of being a child, making cootie catchers or fortune tellers with friends? The paper fortune teller has been a staple in childhood games and activities for decades. It’s a fun and interactive way to predict the future, offer advice, or simply to entertain oneself and others. In this article, we’ll provide a step by step guide on how to create a paper fortune teller. Whether you’re making one for your own enjoyment or to share with friends and family, this article will get you started on your creative journey.
Step by Step Tutorial
The materials you’ll need to create a paper fortune teller are minimal. You’ll need an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper, scissors, and markers or pens for decorating. Let’s get started!
- Begin with a square piece of 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
- Take one corner of the paper and fold it diagonally until the opposite ends meet, forming a triangle.
- Crease the fold, making sure to press the edges down sharply to create a crisp fold.
- Take the corner of the folded triangle and fold it upwards, so that the tip of the triangle meets the top edge.
- Again, crease the fold firmly to ensure it stays in place.
- Rotate the paper 180 degrees and repeat step 4 and 5 on the other corner of the triangle.
- Next, you’ll need to unfold the previous step. Take the folded triangles and push them inwards, so that the opposite corners meet in the center of the paper
- At this point, you should have a smaller square with four triangular flaps. Take each of those triangles and fold them inwards, again so that the opposite corners meet in the center of the paper.
- Flip the paper over and repeat step 8 on this side, folding each of the four triangles inwards towards the center.
- You should now have a smaller square with eight triangular flaps on the outside.
- Number each of the eight triangular flaps on the outside with a fortune or question. For example: “1. Will I find love?”, “2. Will I get a promotion?”, “3. Will I travel to a new country?”
- Under each of the numbered flaps, write a corresponding answer or response. For example: “1. Yes”, “2. No”, “3. Maybe”.
- To play, have someone choose a number or color from the outside flaps, then open and close the fortune teller while counting to the chosen number. Finally, have them choose one of the interior flaps to reveal their fortune or answer.
For a clearer visual representation of the instructions, view a demonstration video online.
DIY Project
A great aspect of the paper fortune teller is the ability to personalize its design. You can use any materials you like, from colored paper and stickers to glitter and sequins. Consider also adding personalized logos to your design, such as sports team logos or school emblems. Whatever materials you use, keep in mind that the design can greatly enhance the enjoyment and aesthetic of the fortune teller. Here are a few ideas for embellishing your creation:
- Use scrapbook paper to create a themed fortune teller, such as holiday or seasonal themes.
- Add drawings or illustrations to each of the flaps to make them more fun and engaging.
- Use metallic pens or paints to give the fortune teller a shiny and eye-catching look.
- Consider using themed stickers or stamps to decorate the paper before folding.
Educational Angle
The origins of paper fortune tellers date back to ancient China, where they were used as divination tools to foretell the future. In their original form, they were made with bamboo sticks and detailed fortune predictions written in calligraphy. The practice of divination through paper fortunes spread throughout Asian cultures and eventually made its way to Europe, where games and activities were centered around them. Today, the cultural significance of the paper fortune teller has evolved beyond divination and spirituality, and has become a creative outlet for people of all backgrounds.
Mindfulness Activity
Crafting activities like paper fortune tellers can offer therapeutic benefits, including stress relief and relaxation. They provide an opportunity to be present in the moment, focusing on the task at hand and allowing your mind to concentrate on creative endeavors rather than everyday worries. Additionally, you can take the opportunity to incorporate inspiring quotes or mantras into the fortunes attached to the flaps. Here are a few examples:
- “The universe is full of endless possibilities”
- “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions” -Dalai Lama
- “Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” -Goethe
Themes and Variations
Your paper fortune teller can follow any theme imaginable. Additionally, creating customized templates can make it effortless to create a special fortune teller for any event or occasion. You can use digital tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs to create customized templates with ease. Use the program’s shape tools to create the triangles, add text boxes for fortunes, and create a design that represents your chosen theme. Here are a few template ideas:
- Wedding or Bridal Shower Theme: Use a template with floral accents and fortunes like “Will the bride and groom grow old together?” or “Will the newlyweds have a long, happy marriage?”
- Baby Shower Theme: Use a template with cute baby animals and fortunes like “Will the baby be a boy or girl?” or “Will the baby sleep through the night?”
- Back to School Theme: Use a template with pencils and erasers and fortunes like “Will I get good grades?” or “Will I make new friends this school year?”
Family-Friendly Activity
Creating paper fortune tellers can be a fun activity for the entire family, and it can be adapted to be inclusive for all ages and skill levels. Here are a few tips to make the activity engaging and fun for everyone:
- Involve young children by having them decorate the outside of the fortune teller or color in the numbers and fortunes.
- Make it a game by having each family member create their own version and exchange them to see who gets the most correct responses.
- To make the game more challenging, try using categories such as “movies,” “places,” or “animals” instead of specific fortunes.
- Use accessible and tactile materials, such as construction paper, markers, or crayons, for people with different skill levels or physical abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making a paper fortune teller is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple materials and a bit of creativity, you can create a unique and personalized fortune teller with customized fortunes and designs. Don’t hesitate to involve family and friends or to create customized designs for special events or holidays.