Paper Plate Bat Craft

Paper Plate Bat Craft

Make a paper plate bat that flies! When you pull the string, the wings go up and down. It is a perfect Halloween craft for kids of any age.

15-30 minutes Ages 3-8

About This Project

A 15–30 minutes craft for ages 3–8, using supplies you likely already have — Yarn, Hole Punches, and Pom Poms.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

Project Tags
halloween bat indoor fine motor skills haunted house zoo
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

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    00:00
    A cartoon of Yarn
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Hole Punches
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pom Poms
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Scissors
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pencils
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Googly Eyes
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Clothespins
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Construction Paper
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Brads
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Newspapers
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Plaper Plates
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Glue Sticks
    You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Paper Plate Bat Craft

    Your creative buddy says:
    "I can't wait to make a project with you!"

    Step 1: Paint the Plates

    May need grown-up help
    Lay out some newspaper on your crafting surface. Pinch a pompom with a clothespin to form a “paint brush” or just use a regular paint brush. Place 2 paper plates on the newspaper, bottom up, and paint them black. If you don't want to use paint, you can use crayons or markers.

    Step 2: Cut the Wings

    Once the paint has dried, cut one of the plates in half. On the flat edge, cut in some scallop shapes which will be the bottom of your bat’s wings. If it helps, you can draw the pattern on the back of the wings and cut on the lines.

    Step 3: Make a Face

    Now it’s time to make a face for your bat. This is completely up to you. Cut pieces out of construction paper and glue them in place. You can draw them first with a pencil. Add color around the googly eyes with yellow construction paper before putting them in place too.

    Step 4: Prepare the Connection

    Get out your hole punch and place a hole on each side of your bat’s body where you made his face. Try to keep these right across from each other in about the center of the plate. It’s okay if it’s not exact. Now punch 2 holes, about an inch apart, on the end of each wing where they will connect to the body. Use the picture as a guide for where to place the holes.

    Step 5: Add the Wings and Make the Bat Fly!

    Put a brad through one of the holes in the body of the bat, and then add a wing by putting the same brad through the second hole inward. Secure the brad in the back by separating the tongs and pressing them down. Don’t press too tightly so that the wing can move freely. Repeat this on the other side. Now place a piece of yarn through the inside hole on one wing and tie it to the other wing using the empty hole on that wing. The string should be straight across when the wings are in a slightly downward position. Tie the knots securely and snip away any excess. Last, cut a length of yarn about a foot long and tie one end to the very center of the other string. This is the pull string to make the bat’s wings go up and down.
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Yarn
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Pom Poms
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Pencils
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Googly Eyes
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Clothespins
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Construction Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Brads
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Make sure all paint bottle lids are shut tight.
    • A cartoon of Newspapers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Plaper Plates
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Glue Sticks
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Put cap on glue sticks tightly.
    • A cartoon of Hole Punches
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Scissors
      Where they belong:

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  4. 4

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About the Author

In the Bag Kids Crafts

✂️ Easy, no-prep kids crafts & printables using a unique 27-supply “One Bag” system: perfect for home, classroom & homeschool |

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