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17 Wacky Things to Put Inside a Paper Fortune Teller

If you grew up before “screen time” was a thing to worry about, then you’ve made origami paper fortune tellersalso known as cootie catchers or chatterboxes — when you were a kid. Right?

One day Mitch came home with a folded paper fortune teller his friend’s mom made to entertain them during a sleepover. He thought it was the Coolest Thing Ever and insisted (several times) to tell my fortune with it.

fortune tellers made with fold paper and colored with magic marker

The fortune teller was getting pretty beat up after a few days, so we needed to make another one! But what should we put INSIDE the dang thing?

So I turned to the internet, and BOY OH BOY are there some creative people out there!

how to fold a paper Paper Fortune Teller  shown in a gif

Incase you need a brush up on how to fold a fortune teller, here’s some directions. Pretty soon you’ll be folding up a storm!

Stumped for Fortune Teller Ideas? You’ve come to the right place!

My very favorite fortune teller is the basic “Magic 8 Ball” which can answer all your questions! (Click the image to get a color PDF you can print!)

Magic 8 Ball Fortune Teller

Magic 8 Ball Paper fortune teller

If you’re making this without the printable, use the sayings from the classic Magic 8 Ball as your fortunes. You’ll need the inner triangles to say eight different things to answer your question.

A real Magic 8 Ball has room for 20 sayings, but we only have space for 8.

paper fortune teller with crayon decorations
You can also wing it and color your own fortune teller.

Here’s all the things I’ve found in a Magic 8 ball. Pick your favorites! To be fair, you’ll want an even mix of positive and negative answers…or maybe you want to make one that’s all NOPES! (A Magic Nope Ball?)

Yes, definitely.
It is certain.
It is decidedly so.
Without a doubt.
You may rely on it.
As I see it, yes.
Most Likely.
Outlook good.
Signs point to yes.
Reply hazy, try again.
Ask again later.
Better not tell you now.
Cannot predict now.
Concentrate and ask again.
Don’t count on it.
My reply is no.
My sources say no.
Outlook not so good.
Very doubtful.

magic 8 ball fortunes inside a paper fortune teller: this one says "outlook good!" and "ask again later"

Ice Breaker Fortune Teller

Here’s a great fortune teller to make when meeting new people! Click the image to print the PDF.

Inside a fortune teller, written in crayon: Welcome Change! and You will have Good Luck today!

Here’s some ideas for a basic fortune teller…kinda like a fortune cookie, it’s hard for these fortunes to not come true!

Good fortune is yours!
Someone is thinking of you.
Welcome change.
You will have good luck today!
Good news will come to you by text.
New ideas could be profitable.
Others can help you now.
Soon life will become more interesting.

A Fortune Teller for Mom (and Dad)

Why not fill a fortune teller with only GOOD things? Like things you wish the kids would do for you. This is fun one to make for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or a birthday!

Make a blank fortune teller and ask your child to fill it with things they could do for mom or dad on their special day. Then let them give their gift–and follow through on the lucky parent’s good fortune!

Hug your mom/dad
Help mom/dad with a chore
Blow mom/dad a kiss
Do something nice today
Write a special note for mom/dad
Bring mom/dad a snack
Clean your room
Draw a Picture for Mom/Dad

Social Media Fortune Teller

I made this on PicMonkey! (Click the image to get a color PDF you can print!)

social media fortune teller

Even More Fortune Tellers!

More Paper Fortune Teller Ideas

Need more great ideas on what to put inside your Paper Fortune Teller? I've scoured the internet to find these awesome ideas, from Harry Potter sorting hats to fortunes for eco warriors.

Are the kids fighting over what to watch on Netflix? Then print out this one! Netflix Fortune Teller. OK, it might be a little dated… But you can always make your own teller from a blank and fill it with your movie watch list!

Netflx Paper Fortune Tellers

Here’s a Blank Fortune Teller to Fill with Your Own Ideas

Now that you’ve seen some great ideas for what to put inside YOUR fortune tell, here a blank one I made just for you! All you need is a color printer and a pencil to fill in the blank spaces. Click the image to download a PDF you can print.

blank fortune teller template