Look in recent school family events "octoberfest fortune teller's booth" and my question, info and replies may be able to help you.
This was my first time doing this, but after about 10 kids, it comes much more easily.
I made a crystal ball from a round frosted light fixture globe, and placed it over a color changing disc (meant to be used in a Jack-o-lantern). It worked really well! Because of this and other lit decorations, I chose to build a 6' deep x 5' wide x 6' high box using cheap 1"x1" lumber and angle brackets. It needed to be re-inforced. I bought $1.00/yd cloth from walmart to make the walls and ceiling. Depending on the width of the material, it will take 12 to 16 yds. Of, note, because this was one big box, and flimsy, we broke it down when we were done and threw it out. We are planning to make a new one, in four panels, probably 6'x6', with a quick hem in in the cloth to make curtains for the walls of the panels, and to use 2'x2's or PVC piping and latch the four walls together when being used, and unlatch for easier storage and to also have place to put a few crossbars in front to use as a puppet stage, etc, for other school functions.
You can just have a chair for you, a table and a chair for the kids, but it will take away from some of the lighted special affects without darkened walls.
Dress in colorful gypsy clothes, with cheap bead necklaces, bracelets, a scarf headdress, or turbin.
We used the crystal ball, I would place my hand on the globe and ask the child to place their hand there too, close their eyes and keep them closed, and I asked little ones to think of someone they love very much and would say I could see their mother and she is smiling at them because she loves them so much,too. By age 6 , I asked them to think of a secret, and think hard on it, so the spirits would know who was with me.
I would tell them that they felt school was harder this year, they had more work to do. That they were having difficulty with some subjects, but that if they tried a little harder they would do much better, or just let the teacher know, and the teacher would help them. They were making new friends this year. Since Thanksgiving is coming, I told them to think about a favorite cousin or relative, and then the spirits said that they would be seeing them soon, and that the person would love to get a phonecall or a kiss from them tonight. Try to avoid letting them ask you questions, someone may ask about something very important, tell them it's clouded and that they should discuss it with someone close to them to get the answer.
One kid asked me if his older brother would ever stop picking on him. After a lot of mumbo-jumbo, I told him that 'it is vey unlikely.'
Practice a little, and you'll see it come more easily.
You can also take polished stones, and write words on one side, such as- kindness, happiness, wealth, friendship, etc. Have the kids toss them from a cup, and the ones that land with the words up tell you things about their future. Such as 'you will have good friendships throughout your life.' 'One of the things your mother loves about you is your kindness to others or animals.'
We also have a cakewalk at or festival, and one of the words was 'cake', when that came up, I would tell them that they had a good chance to win a cake at the cakewalk today. Later, one kid told me the prediction came true.
This went over really well, and I predict that it will be demanded to do it again next year.
Have fun!
Jan, AKA Rachel's Mom
