In today’s post: Kids can turn empty egg cartons into spooky bats with this adorable bat craft for Halloween. Get the step by step directions for easy crafting below.
Isn’t this a cute idea? You can help your kids turn an empty egg carton into adorable little bats to hang up for Halloween. I saw this idea online, but it looks like the blog it was originally posted on no longer exists. So I’ve figured out the easiest way to make egg carton bats, and I’ll walk you through the steps below.
Looking for the video? Keep scrolling until you see the big video icon!
How to Make Egg Carton Bats
This is an easy Halloween craft that older kids should be able to complete on their own. Cutting the egg carton into a bat shape is the hardest part, so younger kids will need help with that step. (You’ll need to use good scissors, so you may want to just do the cutting for them.) If you’re trying to do this bat craft with a large group like a classroom, I’d recommend cutting out the bats in advance.
Tips for Success
This craft uses paint, so be prepped for that: either line the table with newspaper or give each child a cookie sheet lined with foil to paint on. Expect them to get paint on their hands; acrylic paint washes off hands well while it’s still wet. However, it doesn’t wash out of clothes as well, so a smock is a good idea. You could also choose to use washable paint instead.
If kids want the inside of the bat to be black as well they will need to paint that first, then flip it over and paint the top. Remember that the paint needs time to dry before you can adhere the eyes, teeth, and twine. You can use a hair dryer on low to help dry the paint quickly.
Supplies
You only need a few things to make egg carton bats:
- Egg carton: Use a cardboard egg carton that holds a dozen eggs (the 18 egg ones don’t have quite the right shape). You can use a styrofoam egg carton if you can’t find a cardboard one, but those don’t accept paint as well so they may need two coats of paint.
- Black Paint: You can use inexpensive acrylic craft paint to do this, especially if each child is only making one or two (washable paint probably works as well). If you’re planning to make a lot, you might want to use spray paint to make the process go faster.
- Foam paint brush
- Scissors that can cut through the egg carton
- Wiggly Eyes
- White Craft Foam, felt, or card stock for making the teeth
- Adhesive: I used super glue but small glue dots would work too and might be easier for kids
- Twine or ribbon for hanging
Bat Craft Video
Watch the video below to see how to turn an egg carton into a Halloween bat:
Egg Carton Bat Craft
Supplies
- Cardboard Egg Carton for one dozen eggs
- Black Paint
- Foam Paint Brush
- Good Scissors
- Wiggly Craft Eyes
- White Craft Foam or white felt, or white card stock
- Adhesive
- Twine or Ribbon for hanging
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Instructions
- Cut off the top of the egg carton. Also cut off the flap. Cut the remaining bottom area of the carton into 4 pieces, each with three wells.
- The part of the carton that was facing out is the front of your bat. Cut it straight across the bottom, removing the cardboard lip. Also trim the pieces in back. You can see exactly how to do this in the video.
- Cut an upside down V shape out of the right and left sides to create wings.
- Paint the cardboard black. If you're planning to paint the inside, do that first, then paint the outside. You can use a hair dryer on a low setting to help dry the paint.
- Cut out small fang shapes from the craft foam or felt. Use adhesive to attach them from the inside of the cardboard. Attach the eyes as well.
- Poke a hole in the top of the bat (a toothpick works well) and thread through a loop of twine or ribbon for hanging.
Mary Wood says
My grandson Phoenix and I made these together
We had so much fun making all kinds of Halloween crafts and goodies- thank you so much
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