Nature Game Cootie Catcher

Get your kids moving, and observing the natural world around them with this Nature Game Cootie Catcher!

The weather is warming, the birds are singing, and I don’t know about you, but this mama is ready for some outside time with the kiddos! Since the children LOVED my Harry Potter Origami Sorting Hat Fortune Teller, I thought I’d create something for them with a bit of a nature challenge in celebration of the return of spring. The Nature Game Cootie Catcher has 8 such nature challenges!

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Nature Based Cootie Catcher

The Nature Game Cootie Catcher should be played outdoors either in your yard, the park, or any place where there are some trees, grass, and other growing things. The cootie catcher is meant to help children use their senses (sight, smell, hearing, and touch) as they test their knowledge and explore the natural world around them.

How to make the Nature Game Cootie Catcher

Cut off the white edges of the square pattern you printed.

With your pattern facing down, fold all four of the corners into the center. Be sure to watch your lines and try to make it as even as possible.

Turn your pattern over so that the Nature Objects and Creatures are facing  down. Fold the corners into the center again to create a smaller square. Be sure to crease your edges.

Next, fold the square in half so that the Frog Picture in on top. Make a crease. Unfold it. Then fold it the opposite way so the Luna Moth is on the top. Make a crease.

Then, place your fingers into the bottom of the paper and pop it up to make four cone shapes. The Nature Game Cootie Catcher is ready!

You can purchase our Nature Game Cootie Catcher at Teachers Pay Teachers.

How to play the Nature Cootie Catcher

Hold your Nature Game Cootie Catcher with two hands. Place your thumbs and pointer fingers inside the cone shapes. The person playing chooses an image on the top. Either the Frog, Nest of Eggs, Luna Moth, or the Animal Tracks.

Each picture has a number associated with it. Open and close the cootie catcher alternating between up and then across with your fingers. For example, if the person chooses the Frog, then you open the cootie catcher 4 times. If the Animal Tracks are chosen, then the person opens the cootie catcher 6 times.

Next, the player will choose one of the numbers on the inside of the cootie catcher. Open and lose the cootie catcher that many times.

Repeat this process twice.

On the third number selection, instead of counting out the numbers again, the player will open the flap and read the directions under the number they chose. All of the directions give the player a fun nature challenge to do. These challenges include:

• Touch 5 different textures.
• Take 10 steps backward, drop to the ground and don’t move until you see an insect. Can you name the insect?
• Go right 20 steps, look closely at the ground and name all of the life you see.
• Listen, how many birds do you hear? Can you name them?
• Hop 15 times to the left. Do you see any animal tracks? Can you name the animal?
• Flap your arms like a bird 12 times. Then, name a bird.
• Name something you smell.
• Hop like a frog 7 times to the nearest tree. Can you name the tree?

I hope your kids enjoy the Nature Game Cootie Catcher as much as we did!

You can purchase our Nature Game Cootie Catcher at Teachers Pay Teachers.

Watercolor clip art provided by DigitalPressCreation