If you’re craving a Valentine’s craft that’s simple, sweet, and looks way more impressive than it should, these paper fortune cookies are it.
They’re perfect for making with little ones, popping into a gift box, or styling on a pretty plate as part of your Valentine’s table. And the best bit? You can fill them with love notes, affirmations, jokes, or tiny messages that make someone’s heart skip a beat.
Why you’ll love this craft
- Budget-friendly (hello, patterned paper scraps)
- Quick to make once you get the fold
- So cute displayed in a bowl/plate like real fortune cookies
- Easy to personalise for kids, friends, partners, or Galentine’s gifts
What you’ll need
- Patterned paper (hearts, love messages, florals, anything Valentine-y)
- White paper for notes
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Your favourite messages or affirmations
Optional extras if you want to level it up:
- A bone folder (or the back of a spoon) to sharpen folds
- A hole punch + ribbon (if you want to attach them to gifts)
- A pen in metallic gold/silver for extra pretty notes
Step-by-step: how to make paper fortune cookies
1) Cut your paper shapes
Start by cutting your patterned paper into circles. (If you don’t have a circle cutter, trace around a mug, jar lid, or small plate.)
Tip: Smaller circles make daintier cookies; larger circles make easier cookies for little hands.
2) Fold into a semi-circle
Fold each circle in half to make a neat semi-circle. Press the crease firmly.
3) Create the fortune cookie shape
Hold the semi-circle with the flat edge at the top. Gently bring the two ends down and towards each other so the middle pops forward.
This is the “fortune cookie” moment, once you’ve done one or two, your hands will remember it.
4) Secure it
Use a tiny dot of glue or a small piece of tape inside to hold the shape.
If you’re crafting with kids, tape is usually the easiest (and less messy).
5) Write your notes
Cut small strips of white paper and write your messages. Keep them short so they tuck in neatly.
Then fold the note once or twice and slide it inside the cookie.
6) Display or gift
Pile them onto a pretty plate, pop them into a little gift box, or add them to place settings for a Valentine’s dinner.
They look gorgeous grouped together like a little bowl of love notes.
Message ideas to put inside (love notes + affirmations)
Here are a few you can copy straight onto your little slips of paper:
- You are so loved.
- I’m proud of you.
- You make my life sweeter.
- You are safe. You are held. You are enough.
- Today is a good day to be you.
- I choose you, again and again.
- You’re my favourite person.
- You are magic.
- Your kindness matters.
- I love doing life with you.
For kids, you can keep it playful:
- You’re my little sunshine.
- You give the best hugs.
- You make me smile.
- You are brave.
- You are loved to the moon and back.
Cute ways to use them
- Valentine’s table: place one on each plate like a sweet little surprise
- Gift topper: tape one onto a wrapped present
- Lunchbox note: pop one into a lunch bag
- Classroom friendly: fill with kind messages and let kids swap
- Galentine’s night: make a bowl of affirmations for friends to pick from
A quick crafting tip (so they look extra polished)
If you want them to look really crisp, press your folds firmly and keep your glue/tape minimal. The cleaner the folds, the more “real fortune cookie” they’ll look.
Final thoughts
This is one of those crafts that feels genuinely special without being complicated and I love anything that helps us create little moments of connection.
If you make these paper fortune cookies, I’d love to see them, tag me on Instagram @countryheartdeb so I can share your creations.
Happy crafting (and happy Valentine’s).
