Create an interactive flapping paper bat with our free template and video tutorial. Easy Halloween craft with moving wings that kids love. Step-by-step guide included!
Static Halloween decorations are fine. But decorations kids can actually interact with? Those are the ones they remember, play with, and proudly show everyone who visits.
This moving paper bat craft solves the “make it once, ignore it forever” problem. With wings that flap when you pull a popsicle stick, this bat combines art with simple mechanics. It’s perfect for teaching cause-and-effect while creating something genuinely fun. If you’ve tried our Halloween origami projects, you’ll love how this one adds movement to your decoration collection.
In 20-30 minutes, you’ll create a bat with working wings using our free template, cardstock, and basic supplies you probably have at home. We’ve broken down every step, highlighted common mistakes to avoid, and included a video tutorial so nothing goes wrong.
Perfect for classroom activities, homeschool projects, Halloween party crafts, or rainy afternoon entertainment.
Project Specifications
Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly (but making moving parts work well needs attention)
Cost: Under $5 (using supplies you likely have)
Time: 20-30 minutes
Ages: 6+ years (with adult supervision for hole-punching and brad pins)
If you’re looking for bats you can decorate with paint or markers instead of mechanical parts, try our easy origami bat tutorial. Or, if you prefer sewing over paper crafts, check out our cute felt bat plushie pattern for a cuddly alternative.
How to Make a Flapping Paper Bat for/with Kids
Things You’ll Need
Materials
- Colored cardstock paper (65-80 lb weight recommended – lightweight paper tears easily when adding brad pins, while cardstock provides durability for repeated wing movement).
- Colored craft paper for decorative elements (standard weight – perfect for the small detail pieces like eyes, fangs, and inner wings that don’t need extra strength)
- Brad pins (medium size, 1/4 inch diameter – these allow smooth rotation for wing movement without being too loose)
- Non-stretchy yarn or cotton thread (avoid elastic or stretchy materials – they prevent consistent wing movement and can snap back unpredictably)
- Craft glue (white school glue or glue stick – liquid glue works best for large surfaces, glue stick for small decorative pieces)
- Popsicle stick or craft stick (standard 4.5 inch size – this becomes your pull mechanism for wing movement)
- Black sharpie or marker (for adding wing texture and drawing facial features)
- Pencil (for tracing template pieces accurately)
Tools
- A pair of sharp craft scissors
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Step by Step Instructions: Moving Paper Bat
Step 1: Prepare and Cut All Template Pieces
Download and print the free bat template at 100% scale. Use a pencil to trace the bat base, outer ears, and outer wings onto your cardstock paper. Cut each piece out carefully with sharp scissors. Keep the edges smooth and neat.
For the smaller decorative pieces, use regular craft paper. These include: eyes, fangs, blush circles, inner ears, inner wing details, and legs. These smaller pieces don’t need the extra strength of cardstock.
Pro tip: Cut just inside your traced lines to avoid visible pencil marks on the final bat. Or you can use cricut to cut out the templates.
Step 2: Glue Layers to Create Dimensional Wings and Ears
Apply craft glue to the back of each inner ear cutout. Press them firmly onto the matching outer ear pieces. Make sure the inner piece sits evenly within the outer shape.
Glue the inner wing cutouts onto the outer wings using the same method. Once the glue dries, use a black sharpie to add texture lines or vein patterns. This makes the wings look more realistic and dimensional.
Step 3: Attach Eyes, Fangs, and Body Details
Draw pupils and eye details on the white eye-base cutouts using your sharpie. Glue them onto the top portion of the bat base where the head area is. Position the eyes so they look forward or slightly upward for a friendly expression.
Attach the small leg cutouts at the bottom of the bat base. Glue the fang pieces just below where the eyes are. Add the blush circles on either side of the face for a cute, approachable look.
Pro tip: Let all glued pieces dry for 2-3 minutes before moving to the next step. This prevents pieces from shifting.
Step 4: Mark and Create Wing Attachment Points
Flip the bat base over so you’re working on the back side. Take the right wing and position it overlapping the right edge of the bat base by approximately 2 cm (about 3/4 inch).
Using your pencil, mark two small dots along the overlapping section. Place one near the top edge and one below it (about 1 cm apart). Use a thick needle or thumbtack to carefully pierce holes through both marked dots.
Repeat the same process for the left wing on the other side. These holes will hold the brad pin and movement string.
Important: Make holes just large enough for your brad pin to fit through without excessive wobbling.
Step 5: Secure Brad Pins to Create Rotating Wing Hinges
Insert a brad pin through the outer hole (the one closest to the wing tip). Push it from the back of the wing through to the bat base. Open the brad legs on the back of the bat base and press them flat to secure the wing. The wing should rotate freely around the brad.
Repeat this exact process with the left wing. Create matching holes and secure with a brad pin through the outer hole. Test that both wings can move independently before moving forward.
Step 6: Thread String Through Left Wing’s Inner Hole
Cut a piece of non-stretchy yarn approximately 12-15 inches long. Tie a secure knot at one end. Make the knot large enough so it won’t pull through the hole. Thread the other end through a needle.
Working from the back side of the bat, insert the needle up through the inner hole (closer to the bat body) of the left wing. Pull the string all the way through until the knot catches against the wing back.
Step 7: Connect String to Right Wing and Set Wing Position
Position both wings in a slightly open position. This will be their default position when not being pulled. Insert your needle down through the inner hole of the right wing (working from the front this time).
Pull the string through until both wings are at the same open angle. The string should have slight tension but should not be pulling the wings closed. Tie a secure knot on the back of the right wing. Trim any excess string, leaving about 1/2 inch past the knot.
Pro tip: Test the wing movement by gently pulling the string in the middle before cutting. Adjust tension if needed.
Step 8: Attach Popsicle Stick to Complete the Pull Mechanism
Position your popsicle stick horizontally between the connecting string and the bat base. The stick should rest against the back of the bat body. Apply glue to the center of the popsicle stick where it touches the string.
Important: You’re gluing the stick TO THE STRING ONLY, not to the bat base itself.
Let the glue dry completely (about 5 minutes). Once dry, gently pull the popsicle stick away from the bat base. The wings should flap open! Push it back toward the bat. The wings should close! The stick acts as a simple lever to control wing movement.
Watch Complete Video Tutorial: Moving Paperr Bat
🎥 If you’re having trouble visualizing the wing mechanism or string threading, don’t worry! We’ve prepared a complete step-by-step video tutorial on our YouTube channel.
And while you’re there, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you won’t miss any of our upcoming Halloween and Fall crafts! 🍂🎃
Common Mistakes to Avoid for Perfect Wing Flapping
This moving bat has several mechanical parts that need to work together. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Holes Too Large or Misaligned – Use a thick needle or thumbtack, not scissors, to make holes just large enough for brad pins to fit snugly. Measure the 2 cm wing overlap carefully and mark both holes with pencil before punching. If holes are too large, reinforce with a small piece of tape on the back before inserting brad pins.
Over-Tightening Brad Pins – This is the #1 reason wings won’t flap. After inserting brad pins, spread the legs on the back but don’t press them completely flat. Leave a tiny gap (about 1mm) so wings can rotate freely. Test wing rotation immediately after each brad pin installation.
Wrong String Material or Tension – Use only non-stretchy materials like cotton yarn or regular thread. Never use elastic or rubber bands. Test string tension before tying the final knot. Wings should open to about 90 degrees when pulled and return to 30 degrees when released.
Gluing Popsicle Stick to Bat Base – This is the most critical mistake. Apply glue ONLY to the stick where it touches the string, never to the bat base. Hold the stick away from the bat while glue dries. If accidentally glued to base, carefully cut it free and reattach a new stick.
Uneven Wing Movement – Position both wings at the exact same angle (30-40 degrees) before tying the string knot on the right wing. The string should cross horizontally between wings. If one wing opens wider than the other, untie and reposition symmetrically.
Using Regular Paper Instead of Cardstock – Thin paper tears around brad pin holes and doesn’t hold up to repeated wing movement. Always use 65-80 lb cardstock for the bat base and outer wings. Regular craft paper works only for decorative pieces without holes.
Not Testing After Each Step – Test wing rotation after installing brad pins (Step 5). Test string tension after threading (Step 7). Test full wing flapping after attaching the popsicle stick (Step 8). This helps you catch problems early when they’re easier to fix.
Incorrect String Threading – Thread from the BACK of the left wing UP through the inner hole, then DOWN through the right wing’s inner hole from the front. The string should form a horizontal line across the back. Never thread through the outer holes (those are for brad pins only).
Quick Tips for Smooth Wing Movement
Break in your bat by gently flapping 20-30 times after assembly. This loosens initial stiffness.
Pull the popsicle stick straight away from the bat body, not at an angle. Push straight back for smooth motion.
Check knots regularly after heavy play. Re-tie if they loosen.
Store flat in an envelope to prevent wing creases that interfere with rotation.
Make a practice bat first if creating multiple bats for parties or classrooms to understand the mechanism.
We hope you had fun making your own Flapping Paper Bat! This flappy little friend is perfect for decorating your room or adding a spooky touch to your Halloween party. Don’t forget to experiment with different colors and patterns to make each bat unique.
We would love to see your creations! Share your Flapping Paper Bat on social media and tag us with #thecraftaholicwitch so we can admire your spooky masterpieces. Keep crafting, stay creative, and enjoy all the fun Halloween projects coming up!
