Looking for a fun activity for Valentine’s Day? These free printable Valentine cootie catchers are a great way to bring back the classic paper fortune tellers we all loved as kids! With 10 different versions, they’re perfect for elementary school students, middle school kids, and even just for some silly jokes with friends.
Simply print, fold, and play for hours of fun this Valentine’s season.
How to Use Valentine Cootie Catchers
This printable game is an easy craft that’s all about folding, picking numbers, and reading fun messages. Each player gets to choose a Valentine’s Day design, pick a number, and open the paper toy to reveal a sweet message or fun truth question. Whether you use it for number recognition with younger kids or just a fun way to celebrate the holiday, this paper cootie catcher game is a timeless classic.
To play, start by having one person hold the cootie catcher and ask a friend to pick a design from the outer flaps. The player then spells out the name of the design, moving the catcher back and forth with each letter.
Next, they pick a number, and the cootie catcher is opened and closed that many times. Finally, they choose a final number, and the fortune, compliment, or silly joke inside is read aloud!
How to Fold a Cootie Catcher
If you’ve never made a paper fortune teller before, don’t worry! Our free printable template includes step instructions for how to fold it just right.
- Start with a square piece of paper and cut off any excess paper if needed.
- With the printed side face down, fold it diagonally both ways to find the creased center point.
- Fold each corner of the paper template into the middle.
- Flip it over and repeat the folding process with the new corners.
- Fold in half to make creases so you can easily open and close it with your index fingers and thumbs.
- Tuck your fingers into the folds and start playing!
10 Different Valentine Cootie Catcher Designs
We’ve put together lots of fun holiday cootie catchers, each featuring different colors, designs, and messages to make your Valentine’s Day extra special. Each themed cootie catcher includes cute Valentine’s messages, silly jokes, and kindness cootie catcher prompts.
Take a look at all the fun versions included in this digital file:
1. Red & Pink Classic Valentine’s Theme
This cootie catcher features a red and pink color scheme with classic Valentine’s Day imagery like hearts, a bouquet of roses, a teddy bear, and Cupid. The messages inside include “You are loved!”, “You make my heart smile!”, and “Be mine, Valentine!”, making it a sweet way to spread love and joy. The center section has space to write “To” and “From,” making it a perfect printable game to hand out to friends.
2. Pastel Valentine with Soft Blues & Pinks
This one has a soft pastel color palette with shades of light blue, pink, and lavender, decorated with cherries, roses, and a heart-shaped envelope. The messages inside are just as sweet, including “You’re the sweetest!”, “You make my heart skip a beat”, and “Love ya bunches!”—a delightful mix of compliments and fun sayings. The soft colors give it a warm and friendly vibe.
3. Fun & Playful Valentine’s Edition
This design has a soft teal, pink, and purple color scheme with fun Valentine-themed images like heart-shaped cakes, lollipops, and roses. The messages inside add a mix of compliments and interactive actions, including “You’re sweeter than chocolate!”, “Blow a kiss to someone near you!”, and “Write a Valentine to yourself—self-love rules!”. The mix of fun and positivity makes this a fantastic pick.
4. Deep Pink & Red Friendship & Love Theme
With a rich pink and red color palette, this cootie catcher includes adorable Valentine’s elements like a heart box of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers, and a teddy bear. The messages inside celebrate kindness and friendship with phrases like “Best hugger!”, “You’re sweet!”, and “Forever friends!”, making this a great option for both romantic and platonic Valentine’s greetings.
5. Classic Red Valentine’s Edition with a Fun Twist
This design leans into bold reds and deep pinks, featuring images of a love coupon, a bouquet of roses, and a dripping heart cake. The messages focus on love and positivity, with phrases like “Hug someone who thinks you’re special!”, “Be my Valentine!”, and “Give someone a compliment!”. The playful nature of this version makes it perfect for classroom or friend exchanges.
6. Bright & Colorful Valentine’s Cootie Catcher
This design is vibrant and lively with shades of pink and red, plus fun doodles like a pencil, heart mugs, and fresh strawberries. The messages inside are uplifting and interactive, with prompts like “A secret admirer is nearby!”, “Love is all around you!”, and “Do a silly dance!”. This one is sure to bring laughter and fun to any Valentine’s celebration.
7. Cute & Sweet Pastel-Themed Valentine’s Day Fun
This cootie catcher has soft pinks, purples, and light reds, featuring adorable illustrations like a cupcake, a heart pretzel, and a pair of smiling heart emojis. The messages inside focus on fun and personal connections, including “Who would you send a Valentine to?”, “What’s your favorite love song?”, and “Sweetheart alert!”. This one is perfect for a lighthearted Valentine’s game.
8. Berry & Heart-Themed Valentine’s Cheer
This version has warm reds, berry tones, and pinks, decorated with cute images like a jar of candy hearts, a hot air balloon, and a red rose. The messages inside are all about kindness and fun, featuring phrases like “Sending you a bear hug!”, “You’re berry special!”, and “Be kind, Valentine!”. It’s a wonderful choice for spreading warmth and positivity.
9. Playful Love-Themed Cootie Catcher
With a soft pink and pastel color scheme, this one features charming designs like a cupcake, an adorable owl, and candy hearts. The messages are all about love and friendship, with fun questions like “Who makes you smile the most?”, “What’s your favorite Valentine candy?”, and “Love is all around!”. The gentle pastel colors make it extra inviting.
10. Romantic & Thoughtful Valentine’s Theme
This design is soft pink with bright red and pastel accents, featuring heart-shaped chocolates, a bouquet of roses, and a jar of candy conversation hearts. The messages focus on deep and thoughtful Valentine’s vibes, asking “What’s the sweetest thing someone has done for you?”, “Dream big, Valentine!”, and “I heart you!”. It’s perfect for meaningful Valentine’s exchanges.
These 10 different Valentine’s cootie catchers bring a mix of fun, sweetness, and lighthearted interaction, making them a great way to add hours of fun to your Valentine’s Day celebrations. Whether you’re looking for cute compliments, silly jokes, or interactive prompts, there’s a version for everyone to enjoy!
Download the Free Printable Valentine Cootie Catchers PDF
The best part is that these free printables are available as an instant digital file for you to print at home. Just grab some white copy paper, a paper trimmer or scissors, and you’re ready to go!
Terms of use: These free template designs are for classroom use and personal use only, not for commercial use.
More Printable Valentine Activities
Looking for even more fun ideas for Valentine’s Day? We have so many valentines printables for you to enjoy.
- Free Printable Valentines Playdough Mats
- The Valentines Day Treasure Hunt Mad Libs Printable
- Free Printable Valentines Math Worksheet Activities
- Valentines Build a Sentence Worksheets Free Printable
- Valentines What Comes Next Puzzle Pattern Recognition Worksheets
If you love this free cootie catcher template, please share this post with friends and family so they can enjoy this fun paper game too!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.