Cootie Catchers
Marcia Strykowski
♦ July 21, 2014
♦ 12 Comments
First I’d like to share a new interview that ran the other day. Dani Duck: Artist Obscure asks some fun questions in her interviews with “some of the best children’s authors and illustrators of our time.” Interview with Marcia.
Second, let’s make cootie catchers! In Amy’s Choice, Amy learns how to make these origami-style fortune tellers from her new best friend Cat. Amidst laughter and popcorn, they use the cootie catchers to help Amy make some important choices.
Step 1: Using a square sheet of paper, bring two diagonal corners exactly together. Crease. Unfold and repeat with the remaining two corners. Crease again.

Step 2: Fold each outside point precisely into the center.
Step 3: Without unfolding, flip the square over. Once again, fold all four outside points into the center.

Step 4: Fold it in half. Unfold and then fold it in half the other way.
Now you get to make up the words for your cootie catcher. Following the example, you can add colors to four squares and numbers to the eight triangles. For the remaining eight spots, I used simple answers, but you might want to write fortunes instead, such as: ‘Tomorrow will be your lucky day! or “Mail is on the way!

After you’ve filled it in, refold the catcher. Stick your thumbs and first two fingers into the four bottom pockets and then squeeze them up into the points to open and close. The first player chooses one of the outside colors. If it’s red, for example, open the catcher three times, once for each letter. (Up and down, side to side, up and down.) Next, they get to pick a number. For five, open and close five times. Then have them choose a last number and either ask a question or wait for a fortune—open, close, open, close as many times as required. If they ask, will it rain tomorrow and under the final flap it says: no way, then you’re both all set to play outside with your new cootie catchers!
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These bring back fond memories…
Yvonne
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Yes, and I’ve discovered they’re still fun to play with. 🙂
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Oh my goodness it’s years since I’ve seen a cootie catcher (not that I knew they were called that). We used to make them at school, years and years ago! What fun to see them on your blog, I might just have to make one!
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Have fun making your cootie catcher, Barbara! I’ll have to get into the history sometime. Other names for them are salt & pepper, snapdragons, fortune tellers, foldies, and flappers.
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I loved these growing up. It was so great to come upon your instructions. Your post brought back all the fun I had.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the post and thanks so much for your comment!
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Your post does bring back memories! These were so much fun to make and play with!
Thanks for the memories! Great post!
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I’m glad you enjoyed Cootie Catchers, thanks for your comment!
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These were lots of fun! Thank you for sharing how to make them!! I can’t wait to read Amy’s Choice!!!
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You’re welcome and thank YOU for your enthusiasm!
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Thanks very nice blog!
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Glad you stopped by!
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