How to Make Origami Bats for Halloween

Ms. Venegas has been using origami to make rosettes and medallions since 2003. She shares art/craft techniques and ideas on the Internet.

Easy Paper Fold Origami Bat

Halloween origami bat crafts is a good time to introduce the friendly and creepy animal to children. Even at other times of the year, the bat is a special animal to many people. There's a lot to find out.

Halloween or not, bats are an attraction. Get your origami pattern for Halloween below and enjoy an easy paper craft.

Instructions For Making Paper Bats

This paper craft is for origami beginners and easy enough for kids. If you are having a Halloween party, use the pattern for an activity. All you will need is brown, gray, and black construction paper and puffy paint in a pointed squeeze tube for the eyes. The kids will have something to take home to show mom and dad.

This pattern is from the paper book Paper Folding Made Easy by Kris Mason. (See bibliography below.)

Halloween Bat Origami Instruction

Start with a perfect square in black, brown, or gray paper.

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Cut triangles to make ears and feet. Use bright puffy paint with narrow tips to make the eyes. Last cut scallops on the bottom of the wings.

You Have An Origami Bat

What Should You Do With Origami Bats?

Origami bats are a good go-with for class lessons. Construction paper squares are all you need. A historic Haeckel poster to display with the kids creations pinned beside will remind them of the facts they learned.

If you're not sure how to decorate with your bats, I played around with them and created lots of different, cute situations you can put them in.

Kids can learn bats are not scary. Take the city of Austin. The Mexican free-tail bat provides a source of income for many in the city. March through November find a special themed kiosk, river cruise, and Segway rental tour to view the animals emerging at night. The bats eat and control bugs every summer evening and Austin has a tourist attraction.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park in NM has its own bat cave. The park showcases the evening flight during the summer months.

Decorating

Haeckel's Iconic Bat Poster as Teaching Tool

This Bat Pattern From 'Paper Folding Made Easy'

Bibliography

Mason, Kris. Paper Folding Made Easy. 700 East State Street, Iola, Wisconsin:

Krause Publications, 2002.

© 2009 Sherry Venegas

Enjoyed This Origami Bat Idea for Kids of All Ages

Britt Bogan on June 23, 2017:

Oh my god, these bats are freakin' adorable. Thanks for including the step-by-step pics! I feel like I might be able to actually do this because of those. :D

LoriBeninger on August 07, 2013:

This will be going on my Pinterest Halloween Board for certain!

anonymous on November 05, 2011:

Ran across this page while rambling-would love to use these bats next year!

Mona from Iowa on October 25, 2011:

These are totally adorable ... even if they are bats. :)

sousababy on October 23, 2011:

You really are extremely gifted, I love how easy you make this all seem to do. Your ghost lens impressed me too. Keep 'em coming.

Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on August 27, 2010:

@Mickie Gee: Thanks so much Mickie! I will return with the same on my lamp repair lens and your lamp shade page. Perfect!

Mickie Gee on August 27, 2010:

I love your bats! They would make a great "Halloween Tree" ornament. I am linking this lens to my How to make a Gift Money Tree lens. I will suggest using the origami bats for decorations at Halloween!

julieannbrady on May 30, 2009:

Our clubhouse used to have all the columns filled with bats that would come out at night -- it always made for entertaining parties out on the lawn. We get to see many a bat in our backyard and I welcome them as the mosquitoes are huge after all the torrential rains. Very cute bats my dear!