🎃 Cootie Catchers: A Nostalgic Paper Game with a Twist
If you grew up folding notebook paper into mysterious little fortune tellers, you’re in good company! The “cootie catcher” has been delighting classrooms, playgrounds, and slumber parties since the 1950s — though its roots actually go way back in time.
The design itself, called the blintz fold, appeared in 17th-century Europe and Japan as part of early origami traditions. It first popped up in the U.S. in a 1928 origami book as a “salt cellar” (yes, as in a tiny paper dish to hold salt!).
Somewhere between passing notes and playground dares, kids repurposed it into a game — and by the 1950s and ’60s, it had become the cootie catcher we all know and love.
No one’s entirely sure why it was named a “cootie catcher.” Some say it mimicked trapping imaginary “cooties” (the universal childhood threat), while others think it just sounded delightfully silly. Either way, the name stuck — and the game became a classic.
✂️ How to Make a Cootie Catcher
All you need is a square piece of paper!
- Fold it diagonally both ways to make an “X” crease.
- Fold each corner into the center.
- Flip it over and fold the new corners into the center again.
- Fold in half one way, then the other — and slip your fingers under the flaps to open it up.
Voilà! Instant 1960s playground magic.
🎃 Halloween Cootie Catcher Ideas
Make it spooky or silly! Try writing things like:
- “You’ll meet a friendly ghost tonight.”
- “Eat one piece of candy… or five.”
- “Your costume will win ‘Best in Show!’”
- “Someone will trade you the good candy.”
You can color the outside with pumpkins, ghosts, or candy corn patterns, or even use orange paper for a festive fall feel.
🧡 Everyday or Anytime Themes
Not in the Halloween mood? Try:
- Self-care fortunes: “Take a deep breath.” “Light a candle tonight.”
- Decluttering dares: “Clean one drawer.” “Donate one item.” (Very Living with Dana!)
- Affirmations: “You are stronger than you think.” “Your coffee mug approves of you.”
- Game night fun: Write trivia or mini challenges inside.
🌸 A Simple Joy
Sometimes the simplest crafts remind us how little it takes to bring joy to an ordinary day — a scrap of paper, a few folds, and a little imagination. Whether you’re making one for Halloween, nostalgia, or just for fun, the cootie catcher is proof that simple pleasures never really go out of style. Have fun! xoxo, Dana
