How to Make Paper Chinese Fortune Tellers
A Chinese paper fortune teller is a simple craft that can be used to play a fortune telling game. This craft is based in origami, a paper folding art form that became popular in China in 800 AD. In the 1950s, origami spread to England. In just a few minutes, make a paper toy to predict your friends' fortunes.
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Instructions
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Folding
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1
Fold the paper square in half length wise and then width wise. Crease and then unfold.
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2
Fold each of the four corners into the center of the paper, where the creases intersect.
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3
Fold into four equal square again, making crisp creases then unfolding.
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4
Flip the now smaller square over and fold the corners into the center again.
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5
Fold the even smaller square in half and unfold. Now fold it in half the other way, then unfold.
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6
Pinch the corners together, put your fingers inside the four flaps and pull open the fortune teller.
Coloring and Writing
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7
Color the four outside flaps of the fortune teller different colors.
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8
Number the eight different flaps on the inside of your fortune teller.
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9
Open the inside flaps and write eight different fortunes. This is your chance to be creative. The fortunes can be funny, informational or inspirational.
Using Your Fortune Teller
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10
Ask your friend to select a color. Spell the color out, moving the fortune teller in and out with your fingers one time for each letter in the word.
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11
Have your friend choose one of the numbers that are showing. Count out this number, moving the fortune teller in and out again with each digit.
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12
Have your friend choose a visible number again. Open that flap and read the fortune.
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Tips & Warnings
Take your time.
When folding, run your fingernail along the crease.
Be careful to avoid paper cuts.
References
- Complete Origami; Eric Kenneway; 1987
- The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren; Iona and Peter Opie; Oxford University Press; 1959
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
