Ideas for Cootie Catchers
No one seems to know when the cootie catcher made its appearance, although origami--the art of paper folding--has been around since the 1600s in Japan. By the 20th century, school children around the world were turning pages of notebook paper into cootie catchers and predicting the future. How else would Bobby know that he was going to marry Sally even though he has a crush on Mary Jane?
-
Making the Cootie Catcher
-
Start with a piece of paper about 8 inches square. Fold one corner over to the opposite corner and open it. Fold the other corner over in the same way and open the paper. There will be an X created the creases. Fold one corner to the center of the square and repeat this process for the other three corners. Flip the paper over and now fold the corners over to the center just as you did in the last step. Numbers or letters are written onto the eight triangles on the inside of the catcher. Pick up the triangles to write messages. The outside triangles will be marked with colors or number or letters depending upon the cootie game.
Fold the square in half to create another triangle and slip a finger under each of the flaps to make it easier to work the cootie catcher. The thumb and index finger of the left hand go under the flaps on the left and the thumb and index finger of the right hand go under the two flaps on the right side.
Fortune Telling with the Cootie Catcher
-
Select four colors and either write the name of a color on the four flaps or make a circle in that color. Turn over the square and write the numbers one through eight on the eight triangles. Open the flaps and write down eight fortunes under each of the eight numbered flaps. Make up anything you like. For instance, "You will be asked to the movies" or "You will get an A in algebra."
Hold up the cootie catcher and ask your friend to pick a color. Spell the color as you open and close the catcher and then have your friend chose one of the four numbers showing. Open up the catcher and read her fortune.
-
Cootie Catchers as Study Aids
-
Use a cootie catcher to quiz each other or your children on any subject you like, such as famous events. Number the flaps through four. Turn over the catcher and write the names of eight important events such as World War II or the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On the flap under the event write the date it occurred. Cootie catchers can be made for just the Revolutionary War, the 13 original colonies or any subject you like.
Cootie Catchers for Showers
-
Test the bride on the groom or question a soon-to-be mom or guests about motherhood using this simple paper toy. Pick a color and then a question. "When did Pete propose?" "How many children do you want to have?" Lift the flap to reveal the correct answer. Give a prize for right answers. Just enjoy the fun.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
