Cootie Catcher

History & Origins

Cootie Catchers emerged in children's culture during the 1950s-1960s, with origins predating commercial release. The name derives from "cootie" (head lice), reflecting children's humor. The device is also called Fortune Teller, Chatterbox, or Salt-Cellar (the actual folding is sometimes called salt-cellar folding). The interactive nature and colorful designs appealed to children creating handmade versions. The game remains popular in schools and informal settings.

Cultural Context

Cootie Catchers represent a uniquely tactile gaming experience predating digital entertainment. The interaction between operator and player, combined with the mystery of what's inside, creates engaging gameplay.

The game remains popular in schools and informal settings for entertainment. The handmade nature and ability to customize fortunes make each cootie catcher unique.

The device demonstrates how simple paper folding (origami) can create interactive experiences. It bridges crafts and gaming, allowing players to create and play simultaneously.

See Also

• MASH
• Paper-Telephone
• Consequences
• Exquisite-Corpse

Making a Cootie Catcher

Step 1: Fold Square in Half

Start with square paper:

+-------+
|       |
|       | Fold
|       | →
|       |
+-------+

Fold diagonally corner to corner, crease, unfold.

Step 2: Fold All Corners to Center

Fold all four corners to the center point:

+-------+
|\ . /|
| \ / |
| . X . |
| / \ |
|/ . \|
+-------+

Result: Smaller square with triangles folded inward.

Step 3: Flip and Repeat

Flip over. Fold all four corners to new center:

Result: Even smaller square

Step 4: Flip Again and Fold One More Time

Fold all four corners to center one more time:

Result: Small square, triangles folded inward

Step 5: Fold in Half

Fold the small square in half (hot dog fold):

Result: Rectangle

Step 6: Create Flaps

Fold in half again (hamburger fold):

Result: Small rectangle

Step 7: Insert Fingers

Fold the rectangle so your thumb and index finger can go into pockets under the flaps.

Once folded, you should be able to open and close the device by:

• Opening along one direction
• Then opening perpendicular direction
• Reveals different flaps each time

Decorating and Filling

Outer Layer (4 flaps)

• Draw or write numbers (1-4) or colors
• Examples: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow / 1, 2, 3, 4

Middle Layer (8 flaps beneath outer)

• Write fortunes or messages
• Humorous predictions
• Examples:
  • "You will be rich!"
  • "A surprise awaits..."
  • "You have good taste"
  • "Adventure calls!"
  • "Someone likes you!"
  • "Be yourself!"

Innermost Layer (under middle flaps)

• Messages or fortunes
• Short statements
• Examples:
  • "Yes"
  • "No"
  • "Maybe"
  • "Definitely"
  • "Ask again"
  • "Absolutely"
  • "Never"
  • "Always"

How to Play

1. One Player Operates: Person A holds the Cootie Catcher with fingers in pockets

2. Other Player Chooses:

   • Person B points to one of the outer flaps (number or color)
   • Person A opens/closes the device that many times while saying each letter (or counting): "C-O-O-T-I-E..."

3. Choose Again:

   • After opening/closing cycle, reveal numbers/colors on inner flaps
   • Person B picks one
   • Person A opens/closes that number of times

4. Final Fortune:

   • Person B picks a final flap
   • Person A lifts flap to reveal the fortune message

Example Game

Outer layer: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow

Person B chooses Red.
Person A opens/closes while spelling: R-E-D (3 times)

Reveals inner options: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Person B picks 5.
Person A opens/closes 5 times.

Reveals fortunes under each flap.

Person B picks one.
Person A lifts flap.

Fortune revealed: "You will travel!"

Design Ideas

Simple Version:

• Numbers/colors on outside
• Single layer of fortunes inside

Artistic Version:

• Decorated with patterns
• Colored pencils for designs
• Themed fortunes (love, money, luck)

Themed Versions:

• Love fortunes (for crush predictions)
• Career fortunes (job predictions)
• Adventure fortunes (travel predictions)
• Personality fortunes (character traits)

Joke Version:

• Silly/absurd fortunes
• Puns and wordplay
• Intentionally ridiculous outcomes