Rainy afternoon in Yorkshire, three kids bouncing off the sofa, and me pretending I totally had a plan. That is basically how our origami joke teller habit started. One square of paper, a few folds, and suddenly you have a tiny, giggle-powered machine that keeps children busy long enough for a parent to drink a cup of tea while it is still warm. (A mythical event, I know.)
This guide shows you how to fold a classic paper cootie catcher (also called a fortune teller) and then loads you up with 40 funny, kid-approved prompts to tuck inside. No fancy supplies. No perfection. Maximum silliness.
What you need
- 1 square piece of paper (origami paper is lovely, but any paper works)
- Markers or crayons
- Flat surface for folding
- Optional: stickers, coloured pencils, or a bit of washi tape
No square paper? Easy fix: take A4 paper, fold one corner across to make a triangle, trim the extra strip, and unfold. You now have a square.
Age and help level: Ages 6+ can usually manage the folds with a bit of grown-up help for the corner-to-centre steps. Ages 8+ often do the whole thing solo (and then make you do it again because theirs is “the best one”).
How to fold a joke teller
I am going to describe this the same way I explain it to my kids: slow, clear, and with the firm understanding we might have to unfold it and try again. That is part of the fun.
- Start with a square. Put it on the table like a diamond (one corner pointing up).
- Fold in half diagonally. Bring the bottom corner up to the top corner. Crease. Unfold.
- Fold the other diagonal. Bring the left corner to the right corner. Crease. Unfold. You should see an X crease.
- Fold all four corners to the centre. Take each corner and fold it in to meet the middle point where the creases cross. Press the creases well.
- Flip it over. Carefully turn it over so the folded corners are on the table.
- Fold all four corners to the centre again. Same move as step 4. Corners in to the middle. Crease firmly.
- Fold in half. Fold the square in half like a book. Crease, then keep it folded for a moment.
- Fold in half the other way. Still keeping things neat, unfold step 7, then fold in half in the other direction. Crease and unfold so you are back to a square again.
- Form the pockets. Turn it so the four little open pockets are facing up towards you (you should be able to see where your fingers will slide in). Slide your thumbs and index fingers into the pockets, then gently push the corners together so it pops into the classic fortune teller shape.
Mini tip from the trenches: If it feels stiff and fights you, sharpen your creases by pressing them again with a fingernail or the edge of a ruler.
If the corners look wonky: Flatten it and redo step 4 and step 6 slowly, making sure each corner hits the centre point. Even a couple of millimetres off can make the pockets grumpy.
How to label it
A classic joke teller has four outside flaps (what you see when it is closed) and eight inside triangles (the secrets).
Step 1: Decorate the outside
On the four outer flaps, write one of these sets:
- Colours (red, blue, green, yellow)
- Numbers (1, 2, 3, 4)
- Animals (cat, dog, frog, llama)
Pick whatever your kids are into. Mine currently believe frogs are peak comedy, so frogs feature heavily.
Step 2: Add numbers inside
Open the teller and you will see eight small triangles. Write numbers 1 to 8 on those.
Step 3: Add the funny prompts
Lift each numbered flap and write a joke or prompt underneath. You will fit eight prompts per teller, so 40 prompts means you can make a few different versions (or rotate them when your kids start memorising the punchlines).
How to play
- One player holds the joke teller on their fingers.
- The other player picks an outer label: a colour, number, or animal.
- The holder spells it out, moving the teller once per letter (or once per number).
- The chooser picks one of the numbers showing.
- The holder lifts that flap and reads the joke or prompt underneath.
House rule in my kitchen: If the prompt says “do a silly voice”, every single person in the room has to do it too. Fair is fair.
40 funny prompts
These are designed to be quick, kid-friendly, and not-too-mean. Mix jokes with mini-acts so the game feels lively.
Knock-knock jokes (10)
- Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Do not cry, it is just a joke. - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Lettuce.
Lettuce who?
Lettuce in, it is freezing out here. - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Owls.
Owls who?
Owls well that ends well. - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Tank.
Tank who?
You are welcome. - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Cow says.
Cow says who?
No silly, cow says moooo. - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Atch.
Atch who?
Bless you. - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Donut.
Donut who?
Donut forget to laugh. - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad I did not say banana again? - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Ice cream.
Ice cream who?
Ice cream if you do not let me in. - Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Alpaca.
Alpaca who?
Alpaca the jokes, you bring the laughs.
Q&A jokes (10)
- What do you call cheese that is not yours? Nacho cheese.
- Why did the teddy bear skip dessert? Because it was stuffed.
- What do you call a sleeping dinosaur? A dino-snore.
- Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because it was not peeling well.
- What do clouds wear under their shorts? Thunderwear.
- What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear.
- Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing.
- What kind of tree fits in your hand? A palm tree.
- Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use honeycombs.
- What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie? Sofishticated.
Silly dares (10)
- Do your best robot dance for 5 seconds.
- Make your funniest face and hold it until someone laughs.
- Talk like a pirate until your next turn.
- Do 3 tiny mouse squeaks.
- Say the alphabet in a whisper like a sneaky spy.
- Do your best chicken impression. No half-chickens allowed.
- Walk across the room like you are made of jelly.
- Balance a book on your head for 5 seconds.
- Make a dramatic superhero pose and announce your name.
- Clap like you just saw the world’s silliest magic trick.
Quick giggle prompts (10)
- Invent a new ice cream flavour and give it a ridiculous name.
- If your socks could talk, what would they complain about?
- Tell a joke in your poshest voice.
- Make up a two-line song about spaghetti.
- What would a cow text you? (Say it out loud.)
- Name a pet dragon and tell us what it eats for breakfast.
- What is the silliest rule you would make if you were king or queen for a day?
- Describe a banana like it is a rare museum treasure.
- Finish this sentence: “I knew it was going to be a weird day when…”
- Tell the group one thing that always makes you laugh.
Make it last longer
- Use slightly thicker paper if you have it, like leftover card from packaging (not too thick or it will not fold well).
- Press the creases hard. Strong creases make smoother flipping.
- Go easy on paint. Paint looks great but can make the folds stick.
- Make a few. Kids love swapping them like tiny joke trading cards.
Fun variations
Theme it to your day
- Car journey teller: prompts like “spot something yellow” or “make a silly engine noise”.
- Birthday party teller: mini party challenges like “do a conga step” or “tell the birthday kid a compliment”.
- Classroom friendly teller: clean jokes and “kindness prompts” like “say thank you to someone”.
If you want more ideas for structured laughter, our kids jokes guide is packed with kid-safe joke styles you can borrow from.
Troubleshooting
It will not pop into shape
Usually that means the folds were a bit off-centre. Flatten it, re-crease step 7 and step 8 (the half folds), then try again with the pockets facing up towards you before you slide your fingers in.
The pockets keep collapsing
Press the corner folds tighter. You want crisp edges so the pockets hold their shape.
My kid filled every flap with the word “poo”
Congratulations, you have a completely normal child. Make a second teller and declare one “poo-free” for balance. Everyone wins.
Quick safety note
If younger siblings are joining in, keep an eye on small bits like stickers or tiny decorations. The paper itself is fine, but enthusiastic crafters can get ambitious with add-ons.
More things to do
- Need more hands-on fun? Pop over to the kids crafts guide for easy makes using what you already have.
- Want a game that feels like a joke teller’s bigger cousin? Try Make a Kind Joke Card Game.
- If you are planning a group giggle situation, the party games guide is full of low-effort, high-noise options.
