St. Patrick’s Day Jokes Cootie Catcher or Paper Fortune Teller

Looking for a fun and easy way to add a little Irish laughter to your Saint Patrick's Day celebrations?

This free printable St. Patrick's Day Cootie Catcher, featuring some Irish jokes, is the perfect hands-on activity for kids at home or in the classroom!

You can download your free printable here. Simply click the button below and you'll be taken to a printable PDF file.

This free printable is just for you to enjoy at home or in your classroom. You're welcome to print it out and use it for personal or educational purposes, but it can't be resold, shared as your own product, or used to make money.

Please don't upload the file to other websites or include it in products you sell. If you'd like to share it, simply link back to Irish American Mom so others can download their own copy. Thank you so much for respecting the time and care that went into creating this printable.

Schoolyard Magic with Paper Fortune Tellers in Dublin

Growing up in Dublin, some of my happiest schoolyard memories involve making paper fortune tellers from scraps of copybook paper during lunch break.

We'd carefully fold each corner into the centre, smoothing every crease with serious concentration, before decorating the outside with bright biro colours and little shamrocks.

There was always great excitement as we held them between our fingers, opening and closing the paper chatterbox while friends called out numbers and colours.

The "fortunes" inside were usually full of silly predictions or giggle-worthy jokes, but that didn't matter. What mattered was the laughter, the sharing, and the simple magic of turning an ordinary square of paper into something that felt wonderfully special.

From Body Lice to Playground Giggles: Discovering the Meaning of "Cooties"

When I first came to America and heard children chatting about making a "cootie catcher," I was completely puzzled. 

Back in Dublin, we called them paper fortune tellers, or sometimes chatterboxes, but "cooties" to me meant body lice! The term gave me quite a start, I can tell you. 

I couldn't understand why anyone would name a sweet little folded paper game after something so itchy and unpleasant. 

Of course, I soon learned that in America "cooties" are just imaginary playground germs, and the name is all part of the fun. 

Still, I can't help but smile at how the very same childhood craft can carry such different meanings on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

What's Included in This Printable?

This 3-page printable includes:

• A full-color St. Patrick's Day Jokes Cootie Catcher
• Easy-to-follow step-by-step folding instructions (page 2)
• A cheerful Happy Saint Patrick's Day sign (page 3)

The cootie catcher features classic Irish-themed jokes such as:

• Why can't you borrow money from a leprechaun?
  Because they're always a little short!
• Why do people wear shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day?
  Real rocks would be too heavy!
• Where will you always find gold?
  In the dictionary!

There are also cute themed icons like a gold coin, leprechaun, hat, clover, and pot of gold to make the game even more festive.

How to Use This St. Patrick's Day Activity

This printable is simple to prep:

1. Download and print the file.
2. Cut out the square cootie catcher.
3. Follow the folding instructions provided on page 2.
4. Insert fingers into the flaps and start playing!

If you've never folded a cootie catcher before, the printable includes a clear 12-step visual guide showing exactly how to fold it properly.

Why Kids Love Cootie Catchers

Cootie catchers are such a simple little paper craft, yet they offer so many wonderful benefits for children. As kids fold and crease the paper, they're strengthening fine motor skills without even realising it. 

Reading the jokes or fortunes inside gives them a bit of literacy practice, while telling the punchlines encourages confidence and storytelling skills. 

Best of all, this classic playground game naturally promotes social interaction, turn-taking, and plenty of shared laughter, all wrapped up in one small square of paper.

They're perfect for classroom St. Patrick's Day parties, where children can share jokes and laughter together, and they work just as beautifully for homeschool activities that blend fun with learning. 

This simple printable is also ideal for after-school fun, family celebrations, or even a bit of quiet time entertainment on a rainy afternoon. Best of all, there's no complicated preparation involved - just print, cut, fold, and let the fun begin

Make It Extra Fun

Here are a few ways to extend the activity:

• Have kids write their own Irish-themed jokes.
• Let them color their own black-and-white version (if printing in grayscale).
• Use it as a classroom icebreaker.
• Pair it with a St. Patrick's Day craft or snack.

You could even tuck one into a lunchbox as a little Saint Patrick's Day surprise!

A Little Irish Laughter Goes a Long Way

Saint Patrick's Day is all about celebrating Irish culture, traditions, and a bit of playful fun. This jokes paper fortune teller, chatterbox or cootie catcher is a simple way to bring smiles and giggles to the day without any fuss.

Wishing you a joyful and laughter-filled Saint Patrick's Day!