Fly a flappy bat

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

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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. 

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. 

​This is what it should look like, opened up. 

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. 

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! 

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!

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!

xo!