How to Make Funny 'Fortune Cookie' Fortunes for Rules/Reminders for Kids

Setting clear boundaries and assigning responsibilities can be one of the more taxing challenges of parenthood. According to the website Parenting Further, discipline should be considered an opportunity to teach your children, and a sense of boundaries helps children build self-esteem. Choosing a fun way to set expectations can make the process less stressful for child and parent alike. Making up funny fortune cookie fortunes that spell out reminders and rules will delight your children and help them follow through.

  1. Materials

    • If you would like realistic fortunes, you simply need one piece of paper. Cut strips out of the paper that measure 3/4-inch wide by 3 1/2-inches long. You can either write the messages on the strips by hand or print them on the paper before cutting the strips. However, unless you plan on stuffing them into cookies, feel free to make larger strips of paper, as long as the length is approximately three times the width.

    Funny Reminders for Chores

    • Visual reminders help children complete chores, and fortunes can act as such reminders. Start with standard fortune cookie phrases and tailor them to suit your needs. Messages are concise and brief, most around nine to 15 words, and many predictions start with the word "you." Remember to include positive reinforcement, such as the benefit of doing the work. To make it funny, think of an unwanted consequence. For example, change something like, "You will inherit some money" to, "You will earn dessert if you remember to take out the trash. If not, it''s all Brussels sprouts!"

    Funny Reminders for Rules

    • Rules can be more appealing in the form of a funny fortune cookie. Many fortunes give short adages such as, "If you want the rainbow, you must put up with the rain." Think of the rules to reinforce and hint at consequences or rewards. Hint at extreme consequences to make them funny, such as, "Being nice to your brother will earn you video game privileges, being mean will earn bathroom cleaning privileges." For an added touch, write out the reminders or rules in a rhyme. Take a cue from Dr. Seuss or your teen's favorite rap artist.

    Fun Ideas for the Fortunes

    • Once you write the fortunes, you can include children by letting them decorate them. Find relevant Chinese characters, print them out and have your kids copy them on the fortunes. Kids can practice handwriting skills by copying the fortune themselves, and then coloring the slips of paper, if you are using larger paper. Divide chores in a fun way; consider making fortune cookies with chore reminders on the fortunes. Each day, your kids pick one cookie, open it, complete the chore and then enjoy the cookie.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Calm a Nervous Child
      Everyone gets nervous occasionally, and children are no exception. For some children nervousness is a rare occurrence, but for others it is life altering. Either way, parents and caregivers can teach children coping mechanisms to help them alleviate
    • How to Make Kids Competitive
      Youth competition is healthy in moderate doses. The concept of being competitive gives children something for which to strive, to work hard to achieve and to feel confident when they are successful. Competition can, however, be a huge letdown for the
    • Communication Between Older & Younger Siblings
      Its a dreaded moment in parenthood when you get stuck in the crossfire of your childrens fights. Why do siblings argue so much? It all comes back to their own developmental needs. Because your children are at different stages in life, they need uniqu