Chinese Fortune Tellers, made from regular notebook paper, provided inexpensive, homemade entertainment for my sister and me, especially on Saturday mornings while Momma enjoyed a wash and set and whatever else she did in the name of glamor at Lucille’s Beauty Shop. Yesterday’s child was easily amused, and the Chinese Fortune Teller was super intriguing. Yes, in the back room of the beauty shop (which was really Lucille’s living room), simple finger movements revealed my destiny according to color and number selection.

Life was easy.

Following the step-by-step instructions HERE, I made a Chinese Fortune Teller, even folding it correctly the first try. Of course I took pictures of my effort along the way because that’s what I do. If you are visual like I am, a picture truly is worth a thousand words.

In case you don’t remember the rules (or never knew because you are a youngster…), I’ll explain.

1. Choose one of the four colors. (My colors are pink, blue, green and yellow.)

2. Spell the color moving the fortune teller once for each letter. (Your fingers are inside the slits.) Pink = four movements.

3. Pick a number from those showing on the inside.

4. Count out the number, moving the fortune teller once for each number.

5. Pick a final number.

6. Life the flap and do what it says.

Let me just say, taking pictures with one hand and working the Chinese Fortune Teller with the other is tricky and results in blurry photos.

There are (at least) three different ways to design your fortune teller.

Activities. I made mine with activities (i.e. each flap has an activity—great for a bored kid or a more fun way to assign chores.)

Answers. You can also design yours so that the inside flaps have basic answers to questions (i.e. “yes” “no” “absolutely” “are you crazy?” – think Magic 8 Ball). In this case, before the player chooses a color, he asks a question.

Fortune. Instead of activities or answers to questions, each flap includes a more traditional fortune. “You will soon receive great news.” That sort of thing.

Decorate your fortune teller however you wish (yes, you can add bling) just remember the outside part has four colors, the inside flaps have eight numbers. Underneath the numbers, eight activities or fortunes are written.

Does any of this make sense? Hope so.

Now I must go write a letter. My Chinese Fortune Teller told me to.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Remember when fun meant playing with a Chinese Fortune Teller?[/tweetthis]

“Before you leave, the fortune teller reminds you that the future is never set in stone.”
― Erin Morgenstern

Musical Pairing:

Yesterday’s Child – Roy Orbison