Remember these cootie catchers (or fortune tellers) that we used to make as kids. I’m willing to bet that everyone reading this post has made one at some point in their lives. It’s time to bring them out once again, but in a little different way. A way to explore the outdoors and nature! First I’ll remind you how to make one.
1. Cut a piece of paper into a perfect square. Mine is 7″ by 7″. Fold the paper in half making a triangle, then unfold.
2. Fold the paper into another triangle going the opposite direction. You should have a seam down the middle where your previous fold was done. Unfold.
3. Turn the paper over so you have a diamond shape facing you; fold the left and right points to the center.
4. Now fold the top and bottom points to the center so that all of the points touch in the center of the paper.
5. Keep the paper folded, turn it over and fold the points to the center once again.
6. Leave it folded, then fold in half leaving the four points on the inside.
7. Put your fingers inside the squares, manipulate it a bit and who-la……cootie catcher!
8. Now to write some directions to follow. The catchers I made for the little ladies today involve nature and must be done OUTSIDE.
I included some close ups so you can see how I filled one of them.
Directions on how to use the cootie catcher:
1. Pick a topic from the 4 offered. Example: Name a Tree
2. Spell out the name of a tree opening and closing the catcher with each letter. Example: Oak- open and close the catcher 3x.
3. Choose a number. Example:1
4. Lift the tab with the number chosen and read the directions. Example: “Hug a Tree”, so I would go and hug a tree.
My 4 main topics were:
1. Name a bird
2. Name a tree
3. Name a flower
4. Name an insect
My 8 directions:
1. Hug a tree
2. Go to a backyard tree and find a seed
3. Take off your shoes and put your toes in the dirt
4. Whisper to a plant
5. Go left 30 steps and look for an insect
6. Pick up a leaf and find one similar
7. Look under a rock
8. Go right 60 steps and name all the plants you see.
More examples:
1. Count how many birds you hear
2. Touch 10 different textures
3. Go right 30 steps, get down close to the ground and name all the life you see in the grass
4. Name the trees you see
5. Look for 5 different leaves
6. Name something brown around you
7. Name something you smell
*use all the senses you can, give them directions to go- North, South, East, West, left or right; the possibilities are endless!
Now get outside and enjoy!!!!!
*Be sure to check out the new Have a Heart Monster in the shop!
