Origami bats make perfect Halloween decorations. These spooky-looking paper creatures will be a hit with kids of all ages.
How to Fold an Easy Origami Bat
You can make an easy origami bat using a square sheet of origami paper or black construction paper, in any size.
If you're using origami paper that is black on one side and white on the other side, begin with the white side of the paper face up. Fold the paper in half along one of the diagonals. Unfold the paper. Fold the paper in half along the other diagonal. You should now have a large triangle with a crease down the middle. Fold the top point of the triangle down to the mid point of the paper.
Fold the sides of the triangle in at an angle. Check to make sure the folds are symmetrical.
Lift up the middle flap and push it down with your finger. In origami, this is called a squash fold. The squash fold is used to make many different kinds of origami animals, including an origami panda.
Flip the paper over. Fold the right wing straight across, then almost back to the first edge. You should have a small gap between the first and second folds. In origami, this is called a step fold.
Repeat the process with the left wing.
Flip the paper over once more. Stick your fingers in the flaps at each side of the paper and bring them up slightly. Carefully flatten the paper. This forms your origami bat's wings. Fold down the top point of the diamond in the middle of the paper to make your bat's ears.
Make two creases in each wing to complete the bat. Decorate as desired using stickers, markers, colored pencils, crayons, or self-adhesive wiggle eyes to give your bat a bit of personality.
If you want to display your bat, try taping a loop of string to the back and hanging him in the window.
Making a Bat Paper Airplane
If you want to make a bat that flies, Micah of Micah's Toy Reviews has an excellent tutorial that teaches children how to make a paper airplane that resembles a bat.
Making a Money Origami Bat
If you're looking for a unique Halloween gift idea that doesn't involve sweets, this money origami bat would be a great choice. Kids won't mind not getting candy when they receive this cleverly folded money origami model.
Origami in the Classroom
Making origami bats can be be fun way to introduce children to the art of paper folding. Including a paper bat in your origami lesson plan can help you combine the craft with the popular theme of Halloween.
