Halloween is the perfect time to introduce kids to bats—not as scary creatures, but as awesome little night-flyers that help the planet and look super cool doing it.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, babysitter, or just looking to entertain a house full of candy-fueled kiddos, these 10 fun bat crafts are easy, creative, and a great way to add some winged magic to your spooky season.
Most of them use supplies you probably already have at home, and all of them are kid-approved for ages 3 and up (with a little help from grown-ups where needed).
Let’s get crafting, bat-style!
1. Toilet Paper Roll Bats
Supplies:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Black paint or paper
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- White crayon or marker
- Construction paper (for wings)
How to make it:
Paint or wrap the toilet paper roll in black. Cut out two wing shapes and glue them on the sides. Add googly eyes and draw fangs with a white marker. Voila—bat buddies for your windowsill!
Bonus activity: Hang them from string for a floating bat mobile.
2. Paper Plate Bat Mask
Supplies:
- Paper plates
- Black paint
- String or craft sticks
- Scissors
- Hole punch
How to make it:
Cut the plate into a mask shape with pointy bat ears. Paint it black and add eye holes. Punch holes on either side and tie string, or glue on a craft stick as a handle.
Let kids: Decorate with glitter, sequins, or glow-in-the-dark paint!
3. Handprint Bat Art
Supplies:
- Black construction paper
- White paper (for background)
- Scissors
- Googly eyes or white crayon
- Glue
How to make it:
Trace both hands (fingers spread) on black paper and cut them out as wings. Cut an oval for the bat’s body and glue the wings on the sides. Add eyes, a smile, and maybe some tiny fangs!
Perfect for: Preschoolers learning about shapes and their own tiny hands.
4. Clothespin Bats
Supplies:
- Wooden clothespins
- Black paint
- Felt or foam for wings
- Googly eyes
- Glue
How to make it:
Paint the clothespins black. Cut bat wings from felt or foam and glue them to the back. Add eyes to the front and clip them onto string, treat bags, or your Halloween tree.
Fun twist: Add magnets to the back to make spooky fridge décor!
5. Bat Treat Bags
Supplies:
- Black paper lunch bags
- Bat wing cutouts
- Ribbon or string
- Googly eyes or white stickers
How to make it:
Fill black paper bags with Halloween treats. Fold the top down and staple bat wings on each side. Add some eyes and fangs for personality!
Perfect for: Classroom parties or trick-or-treat night.
6. Flying Bat Puppets
Supplies:
- Paper or foam bats
- String or yarn
- Popsicle sticks or straws
- Tape
How to make it:
Cut out a bat shape and attach string to the wings. Tape the ends of the string to each popsicle stick. When kids pull the sticks apart, the bat “flies”—instant puppet theater fun.
Educational moment: Teach kids how real bats use wings to glide and swoop!
7. Egg Carton Bat Mobiles
Supplies:
- Empty egg carton
- Black paint
- String
- Googly eyes
- Hole punch
- Pipe cleaners
How to make it:
Cut out one section of the carton (three cups wide). Flip it upside down, paint it black, and add eyes and fangs. Punch holes in the top and hang with string from a branch or stick.
Let kids: Make a whole bat colony to hang in their room!
8. Bat Origami Cards
Supplies:
- Black origami or construction paper
- Glue
- Halloween-themed stickers or stamps
- Blank cards or cardstock
How to make it:
Fold bats using a simple origami tutorial (tons online!). Glue them onto blank cards and let kids decorate with spooky stickers and stamps.
Great for: Halloween party invites or just a fun “Boo!” greeting for neighbors.
9. Bat Facts Booklet
Supplies:
- Construction paper
- Stapler
- Crayons/markers
- Printed bat facts or images
How to make it:
Fold and staple papers to create a mini booklet. Let kids draw pictures of bats and write cool facts like:
- “Bats eat 1,000 bugs an hour!”
- “Bats are mammals!”
- “Some bats pollinate plants!”
Perfect for: Homeschool projects or wildlife-themed lessons.
10. Bat Soap Craft
Supplies:
- Clear glycerin soap base
- Bat confetti or small plastic bat toys
- Soap molds
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Black/grey food-safe dye (optional)
How to make it:
Melt glycerin in the microwave, add dye if desired, then pour into molds with a bat inside. Let cool and pop them out.
Spooky bonus: They look like bat fossils! Great party favors or gifts.
Bonus Tips for Parents & Teachers
- Use these crafts to spark conversation about real bats—not just the Halloween kind.
- Print out some bat facts or play a short educational video during craft time.
- Consider pairing craft time with a story like Stellaluna or a bat-themed nature documentary.
- Encourage kids to share their bats on social media with the hashtag #BatCraftChallenge!
Final Thoughts: Cute, Creepy & Conservation-Friendly
Bat crafts are more than just fun—they’re a hands-on way to replace fear with fascination.
Kids who grow up knowing that bats are:
- Pollinators
- Pest controllers
- Mammals (like us!)
…are more likely to care about conservation later on.
So go ahead—glue some googly eyes, flap some foam wings, and celebrate bats this Halloween with crafts that are fun, festive, and full of learning.
Have a favorite bat craft? Tried one of these with your kiddos? Drop a comment or tag me with pics—I’d love to see your bat-tastic creations!