Fortune Finding Fun: Party Games & Activities

Maxwell and Ursula planned a series of activities for their recent Halloween party, and both kids and adults joined in on the fun. They included a visit from a real fortune teller (at least the kids thought so), a simple craft, and a twist on a classic Halloween game.

→ The Kitchn threw a Halloween Party, too. Check it out: A Spooky Colorful Halloween Party

Maxwell enlisted a friend to the play the part of a fortune teller or palm reader. Dressed in scarves, and armed with a crystal ball, ‘Zelda’ read each guest’s palm, and told them what their fortune held.

If you are over the age of five, you’ve probably seen these origami paper fortune tellers (or cootie catchers if you’re not fancy). They are endless entertainment in school hallways and sleepovers, and a classic in the childhood repertoire of goofy and wishful fun. You can either adapt a version from the Internet, or invent your own mysterious version.

The night of the party, let kids fold their own fortune tellers. If you don’t remember from third grade how to do it (shocking I know), this little graphic from Wikipedia should help. You can also print their helpful graphic out and have on hand for guests at the party.

Instructions for play:

1. The player asks aloud a “yes” or “no” question for the fortune teller to answer. Examples: “Will I ever sing in the stage production of Frozen on Broadway” or “Will I ever walk on the moon?”
2. Next, the player chooses a symbol: star, sun, moon, or earth.
3. The holder opens and closes the fortune teller once for each letter of the chosen word, and then opens the teller to reveal the inner numbers.
4. The player chooses a number and the holder counts the number by opening and closing the fortune teller.
5. The plater now chooses another number and lifts the flap to reveal Alexander’s answer and learn their fate.

If you are looking for a good idea for activities and games, try modifying well-known and traditional games to match the theme of your party. We made up a game based on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”, re-imagined using Alexander the Psychic as its subject.

A poster was used as the “game board” on the wall, and fashioned fake feather “brooches” became the items to pin.

One by one kids were blindfolded and led to the poster, trying to pin the brooch as close to the original as possible. You can add a prize for the kid that gets the closest to the goal.

• Alexander the Psychic Poster: eBay
• White Feathers: Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores

Take a look around at all of Maxwell and Lulu’s party elements, and find inspiration, advice, and resources for throwing your own festive get-together this holiday:

• Mystic Chic: Decorations & Favors
• Halloween Party Must-Have: Photobooth & Costumes
• Magical Party Treats: Fortune-Telling Charm Cupcakes & Kiddie Halloween Cocktails