Ink and Glue
  • Home
  • About I&G
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About I&G
  • Contact

Fly a flappy bat

10/6/2015

 
flappy bat kids craft for Halloween
I have to admit, I love bats. They are beneficial, in that they eat mosquitoes and other bugs; they're kind of cute; and it is totally amazing that they are actual flying mammals (beat it, "flying" squirrels!). Because I have a generous heart, I don't mind that they have been co-opted into a Halloween motif. I embrace their nocturnal nature, and their somewhat-unsettling wing flapping! So I created this craft, which is made to be flapped. Just hold onto the stick, and move the bat up and down quickly; the wings will flap as you do. To make this easy craft even easier, I've included a template. And to make it even more Halloweeny, I decorated it with glow-in-the-dark paint. This craft would be great for a kids' party, especially if you pre-made a bunch of "blank" bats and had the kids decorate them. Read on for the how-to. 
First, download and print this template:
flappy bat template .jpg
File Size: 91 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File

The template is sized so you can fit three bats on one 12-inch-square sheet of paper. (Of course, you can always freehand it; just look at the photo to get a sense of the shape.)
​Cut out the template. Fold a 12-inch-square sheet of card stock or scrapbooking paper in half. Align the template so the dotted line is against the fold. Trace the shape with a light pencil, then cut it out. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Erase any pencil marks. Then, cut a half-inch-long, super-skinny slit along the fold, in the center of the bat's belly. This will allow you to insert the craft stick, later. 
Picture

​This is what it should look like, opened up. 
Picture
Apply a generous amount of glue stick onto just the body and head of the unfolded bat. Insert the end of a craft stick, then fold up the paper. Smooth and press the paper around the stick, and make sure everything's sticking together at the edges. 
Picture
Picture
Fold the body back up. Fold one wing down, then the other. Make the creases fairly hard; the more you rub the fold line, the weaker the paper will get at the fold, and the wing will get more floppy and flappy. Just don't overdo it, or you'll end up with a wingless bat! 
Picture
Picture
Let's paint! I chose to use a fine paintbrush and some glow-in-the-dark craft paint that dries fairly clear. I also tried a 3D craft paint with a bottle applicator, but it's much easier, and faster, to use regular paint and a brush. Plus, you can have several kids painting at once, without having to purchase multiple bottles. Note, however, that it may take more than one coat to get a good glow. Don't be shy when applying the paint!
flappy bat kids craft for Halloween
When the paint's dry, the bat is ready for flying. Wait until dark, then charge up the glow paint with a lamp, and head outside. Flutter the bat up and down as you swoop through the night!
Picture
flappy bat kids craft for Halloween
xo!
Margot @ Coffee & Vanilla link
10/10/2015 03:54:39 am

Very nice!! I'm going to mention this in our newsletter.


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Christmas
    Easter
    Franklin Friday
    Halloween
    Have You Met?
    I Love Museums
    I Love Stuff
    I Love Vintage
    Inspiration
    My Projects
    Nature Craft
    Recycling Crafts
    Round Ups
    Thanksgiving
    Valentine's Day

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    Author

    I'm Debbie Way, an artist and writer who enjoys making things.

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly