Learn how to make a paper fortune cookie Valentine with these step-by-step instructions and video tutorial. They’re perfect for giving to classmates as homemade Valentine’s cards.
A paper fortune cookie is easy to make with a paper circle and 2 simple folds. It’s a fun alternative to a traditional greeting card, or a nifty way to send a secret message to a friend. You can also use them like traditional fortune cookies at a family dinner, or wrap a small trinket or a dollar bill in them.
You may also like our Cardboard Cookie Valentines!
The other day when the hooligans arrived, I had several Valentines crafts lined up for them to make. The folded paper fan hearts and these paper fortune cookies were the biggest hits of the day with my older hooligans.
The kids loved making these fortune cookies. The process is pretty nifty, and they mastered it right away, and in no time, they’d made dozens to give away to their friends.
It was the perfect craft for using up the stack of marbled paper we made the other day.
You can find the how-to for our marbled paper here, if you want to make yours with marbled paper, but feel free to use scrapbook paper, wallpaper samples (we used some of those too), or even white paper that the kids have decorated themselves.
Make them in any size!
Note, you can make your fortune cookies bigger if you them to hold a longer fortune or perhaps if you’re giving some dollar bills as a gift.
I’ve made a short video to show you how to make a paper fortune cookie, or you can follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Watch this video to learn how to fold a paper fortune cookie:
You may also like our Cardboard Valentines Cookies! They look good enough to eat!
How to Make a Paper Fortune Cookie
Supplies:
- coloured/patterned paper for the fortune cookie
- white paper strips for the fortunes
- pencil/scissors
- glue stick
- colourful pens (for writing your messages)
Instructions:
Prepare your fortunes first
Start by preparing your fortunes. If you want your fortunes to stick out of the cookies, cut your strips a little longer than the width of your circle. Cut them a bit shorter if you want the fortune hidden inside of the cookie.
How to make the “cookie”
- Trace a circle on a piece of paper and cut it out. 4-5 inches across is a good size.
- Dab a bit of glue inside the top edge of the circle. Match the bottom edge up with it, and pinch until the two pieces stick together. (see photo below) Do not press a crease along the centre fold.
- Insert your paper fortune now before you fold up your cookie.
- To fold your fortune cookie, continue holding the glued edge with one hand. With the other hand, hold the ends of the fortune cookie with your thumb and middle finger.
- Press your forefinger into the centre of the cookie.
- As you press in, use your other hand to guide the back edge into a fold that kind of “hugs” the cookie as it fold. (see above photo)
- Once folded, if your cookie is a little lopsided, slide your fingers into the cookie, and rub gently to even things out.
- Dab a bit of glue into the fold and pinch your fortune cookie together until it holds.
That’s all there is to it!
Isn’t this a great little craft? So quick and easy!
Paper fortune cookies are such a fun and creative way for kids to make Valentines for their friends.
Want to see another cool folded paper craft? Check out these flextangles!
More fun Valentines for Kids to Make and Give
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
