There are two kinds of Halloween decorations: the creepy kind that makes your coffee jump out of your hand when you walk into a dark room… and the adorable spooky kind that preschoolers proudly tape to every wall they can reach.
This Halloween bat paper plate craft? 100% the second kind.
It’s simple, fun, gloriously messy (in a contained way), and perfect for little hands. Whether you’re teaching a class full of wiggly preschoolers or keeping your own crew busy at the kitchen table, this bat is about to become your favorite October craft.
Paper Plate Bat Craft Supplies You’ll Need
Before the paint starts flying (and it will), make sure you have everything ready to go.
Here’s what we used:
- 9 inch paper plate – I like using this pack of plates because they don’t fold up when kids load on paint.
- Scissors – small, easy-grip ones are perfect for little hands. These are my favorites.
- Glue stick – because liquid glue + preschoolers = chaos. This set is a lifesaver.
- Black paint – any washable brand will work. This set is my go-to.
- Black marker for adding details.
- Black and white construction paper for ears, eyes, and fangs.
Step-by-Step Halloween Bat Paper Plate Craft Tutorial
Okay, now for the fun part, actually turning that plain old paper plate into a ridiculously cute bat. Don’t stress about perfection here. Wonky wings? Even better. A little extra glue? Totally on brand for kid crafts. Just lean into the chaos and enjoy the process!
Step 1: Gather and set up your materials.
Lay everything out before the kids arrive. A calm setup means a much smoother craft time.
Step 2: Trace and cut your bat wings.
If you’re using our printable template (made to fit a standard 9-inch paper plate), this part’s a breeze. Just trace the wing shapes and hand the scissors over to your little crafters. Don’t worry if their cuts aren’t perfect…crooked wings make for extra spooky bats anyway 😉
Step 3: Paint the wings black.
Break out the paint! This is the part where things get beautifully messy. And honestly, the more uneven the better. Bats aren’t perfectly polished and neither are crafts made by preschoolers.
Step 4: Create the body of your bat.
Cut out a circle from black construction paper. Or an oval. Or something vaguely round. It really doesn’t matter. Your bat is going to look adorable either way. Bonus points if your kiddo gives it a dramatic flair.
Step 5: Glue the wings to the body.
Time for some bat anatomy 101. Line up those wings and glue them right to the back of the circle. You can go classic with straight wings or angle them for a little mid-flight drama.
Step 6: Cut the face pieces.
The visual instructions packet includes a printable template for the eyes, ears, and fangs, so you don’t have to freehand anything (unless you want to, of course – I support creative bat expressions).
Just trace the pieces onto black and white construction paper, cut them out, and let your little crafter go to town!
Big eyes? Tiny eyes? Goofy vampire fangs? Let them get creative. You might end up with a bat that looks like it drank too much juice…and honestly, that’s perfect.
Step 7: Attach the ears.
Whether they’re perky, floppy, or a little wonky, those ears give your bat its personality. Stick them on and cheer for your kid’s bat design skills.
Step 8: Glue on the eyes and fangs.
You’ll probably need to resist the urge to “fix” them. Let your kids place those eyes wherever their little hearts desire, slightly crooked eyes are part of the charm.
Step 9: Add the finishing touches.
A few swoops with a black marker and boom – instant bat personality. Some kids love adding eyebrows. Some give them names. Go with it.
Step 10: Hang and display your bats.
You did it! Your bat (or bat squad, let’s be real) is ready for the spotlight. Hang them upside down from the ceiling, tack them to the wall, or let your little one fly them around the room making squeaky bat noises.
Bats, Slime, and More: Halloween Activities Kids Love
Once you’ve got one bat hanging from the ceiling, it’s almost impossible to stop. These little guys look even better with friends, and luckily, there are plenty of Halloween paper plate crafts to keep those creative hands busy.
Try these next:
- Ghost Paper Plate Craft — a quick and easy classic that pairs perfectly with your little bat.
- Vampire Paper Plate Craft — because every good bat needs a dramatic friend.
- Zombie Paper Plate Craft — delightfully weird and guaranteed to get giggles.
- Spider Paper Plate Craft — eight legs, endless fun.
- Jack o’Lantern Paper Plate Craft — a timeless favorite.
And when you’re ready to step away from the paper plates:
- Puking Pumpkin Science Experiment — messy in the best way.
- Build a Skeleton Playdough Tray — sensory play meets spooky.
- Witch’s Brew Science Experiment — fizzing, bubbling, and guaranteed “WOOOOAH” reactions.
- Pumpkin Moon Sand — soft, squishy, scented sensory fun that kids will play with forever.
Mix and match these for themed centers, bulletin boards, or just a week of low-prep, high-fun Halloween chaos.
Make Your Halloween Craft Time a Breeze
Download the ready-to-go printable visual directions and bat template. It’s classroom-ready, kid-approved, and keeps little hands busy without the “What do I do next?” chaos. 👇
Please Share This Halloween Bat Paper Plate Craft
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If you know a parent, teacher, or crafty friend who’d love this Halloween bat activity, pass it along! Share it on Facebook or save it to your favorite kids’ activity board on Pinterest so even more spooky little bats can flutter into classrooms and homes.