36 Cootie Catcher Fortunes (Ready to Fold In)
A whole library of fortunes for your paper fortune teller, sorted into three tiers and each with a read-aloud meaning. Copy your favorites into a folded catcher, or print the template page where four are already filled in.
Screen reference — nothing to print here
Fold a catcher from the template page, lift each flap, and copy a fortune inside with a fine marker. The line goes on the flap; the meaning is your read-aloud bonus.
Three tiers of fortune
Most cootie catcher templates ship the same eight jokes on every sheet. This page is built differently: it is a real fortune library — 36 fortunes, sorted into three tiers, each with a meaning you can read aloud after the flap opens. The tiers keep the game kind: a fortune should land as a small delight, never a diagnosis.
Blessings are the lucky-draw favorites — small, believable good news. Nudges are tiny actionable pushes (“tidy one surface,” “ask the question”). Gentle warnings look after the player: double-check, slow down, protect your energy. Nothing in this library predicts anything bad, because that’s not the game — the game is a five-minute reason to talk to the person across the table.
To use them: fold any cootie catcher (the template page prints the fold lines for you), lift each corner flap, and copy a fortune inside with a fine marker. Classroom twist — have students write the short line on the flap and the meaning on the hidden corner, so the reader gets a bonus sentence when the flap opens.
Teaching tips
Read the meaning aloud
The fortune line lands the laugh; the meaning lands the moment. Reading the small paragraph under a flap turns a toy into a conversation.
Tier-mix the sheet
For a balanced catcher, fold in one blessing, two nudges, and one gentle warning per game — four flaps, four flavors.
Kindness edition
Ask students to invent one new nudge for the class library. Reading everyone’s nudges is a ten-minute SEL circle, no worksheet needed.
Vocabulary swap
Replace fortunes with this week’s word-wall words: picking a number reveals a word, and the player has to use it in a sentence.
Frequently asked questions
What should I write in a cootie catcher?
Short, kind, specific lines work best — a compliment, a tiny dare, a lucky prediction. This page gives you 36 of them in three tiers, each with a meaning you can read aloud.
Are fortunes supposed to come true?
They are supposed to start a conversation. Every fortune here is small enough to be true for almost anybody on almost any day — that’s what makes the game fun instead of spooky.
How many fortunes fit in one catcher?
Four flaps, one fortune each — so four per game. Players re-pick and re-read, which is why a bigger library keeps the game fresh.
Can I print these fortunes?
The fortunes page is a screen reference by design. The template page prints a catcher with four fortunes already filled in, plus blank space to add your own.
blessing Small believable good news — the lucky-draw favorites.
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“Big things are starting for you.”
Fresh chances show up when you keep showing up — say yes to one new thing today.
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“A surprise is headed your way.”
Good news often arrives from where you least expect it. Leave room for plans to change.
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“Today your ideas shine.”
Share one idea out loud today — the first telling is always the hardest.
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“You are luckier than you think.”
Notice three good things tonight; counting luck is how you find more of it.
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“Help arrives right on time.”
Asking for help is a strength move. Tell someone what you are stuck on.
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“Your hard work is about to show.”
Effort hides, then blooms. Keep going — the visible part comes next.
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“Something you learned will save the day.”
Old skills wake up right when you need them. Trust what you already know.
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“A friend has good news to share.”
Ask a friend what went well this week — celebrating together doubles the luck.
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“Holiday magic finds you this week.”
Keep your eyes open for small wonders — twinkly lights count.
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“A wish of yours is quietly coming true.”
Give it a little patience — some gifts wrap slowly.
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“You will make someone’s season.”
One kind word from you this week might be the highlight of someone’s whole December.
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“Cozy days are ahead.”
Plan one warm, slow moment — cocoa counts as a strategy.
nudge A tiny push the player can actually do today.
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“A small step today beats a big plan.”
Pick the tiniest next action and do it before dinner. Momentum loves small starts.
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“Listen closely today.”
Let someone finish their whole sentence today; the useful detail hides in the last part.
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“Your patience is about to pay off.”
The slow thing you started is still moving. Water it once more before you judge it.
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“Say the kind thing you are thinking.”
Compliments expire fast. Deliver today’s one before bedtime.
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“Try five brave minutes.”
Trade five bored minutes for five brave ones — five minutes of trying fully counts.
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“Tidy space, lucky space.”
Clear one surface today. Open space invites open ideas.
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“Ask your silly question.”
“Silly” questions win real answers. Raise your hand or send the message.
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“Rest is part of the plan.”
Even luck needs sleep. Finish early tonight and start fresh tomorrow.
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“Share the treat, double the joy.”
Split the last cookie today — holiday math makes halves bigger.
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“Send the message you keep drafting.”
A short hello to someone far away travels all the way to their tree.
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“Make the crafty thing.”
Make the crafty thing, not the perfect thing — glue, paper, done. The fun is in the making.
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“Invite someone in.”
Look for the person standing at the edge of the fun — wave them over.
gentle warning Care-first reminders — never spooky, never doom.
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“Double-check before you promise.”
Look at the details once more today — a careful minute now saves a busy hour later.
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“Slow down on the tricky part.”
The hard step deserves your slow brain today, not your fast one.
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“Keep your favorites close.”
Share gladly, but leave your can’t-replace-it treasures safe at home today.
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“Fix the small wobble now.”
Something needs your attention, not your worry — a loose thread is easiest to trim today.
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“Not every invitation needs a yes.”
It is okay to skip one thing today to protect your energy.
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“Check twice, send once.”
Reread before you press send — messages travel faster than do-overs.
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“Keep a small secret safe.”
If someone trusted you with it, guard it well. Trust grows when it is protected.
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“Save a little for later.”
Keep a few minutes, a few stickers, a few snacks in reserve — future you says thanks.
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“Check the list twice.”
Reread your gift list and your homework list — December thanks careful eyes.
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“Let one surprise stay wrapped.”
Not every present needs peeking at — some surprises are worth the wait.
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“Guard your mittens and your minutes.”
Busy days drop things. Keep track of your warmest stuff and your quiet time.
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“Protect one quiet evening.”
It is fine to say no to one crowded plan — a calm evening is the season’s best gift to yourself.