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Origami Bat!

Origami Bat!
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Fold a square sheet of paper to make an origami bat, learning paper-folding steps, symmetry, and fine motor skills while adding simple decorations.

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Step-by-step guide to make an origami bat

What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials (markers crayons or colored pencils), pencil, safety scissors, square sheet of paper

Step 1

Place your square sheet of paper colored side down on a flat table.

Step 2

Fold the paper diagonally corner to corner to make a triangle and press the fold flat.

Step 3

Fold the triangle in half by bringing the right corner to the left corner and press the fold flat.

Step 4

Hold the folded triangle so the long straight edge is facing you and the point is at the top.

Step 5

Use your pencil to draw half of a bat shape along the long straight edge from the top point down to the bottom edge.

Step 6

Ask an adult for help with the next step.

Step 7

Have the adult carefully cut along your pencil line through all the paper layers using safety scissors.

Step 8

Carefully unfold the cut paper to reveal your full bat silhouette.

Step 9

Smooth the bat flat by pressing the creases with your fingers so it looks neat.

Step 10

Decorate your bat using colouring materials to add eyes fangs and wing patterns.

Step 11

Share your finished origami bat on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a square sheet of paper or safety scissors?

Make a square from a rectangular sheet by folding one corner to the opposite edge to form a triangle and trimming the extra strip, and if you don't have safety scissors use blunt-tipped children's scissors or ask an adult to do the cutting step as instructed.

My bat came out lopsided or the cuts didn't go through all layers — how can I fix that?

Refold the paper making sure the diagonal and the half-fold align exactly and press the creases flat before drawing the half-bat along the long straight edge, then have the adult cut slowly and firmly through all layers with safety scissors as the instructions say.

How can I adapt this origami bat for different ages?

For younger children, have an adult do the diagonal folds and the cutting so the child can draw and decorate with colouring materials and stickers, while older kids can fold their own square from scrap paper, draw more detailed wing patterns on the long straight edge, and experiment with thicker construction paper for sturdier bats.

What are some ways to enhance or personalize the finished bat?

After smoothing the creases, personalize your bat by adding googly eyes, fangs, glitter or glow-in-the-dark paint with your colouring materials and attach a string to the top point to hang a mobile or create a bat family to share on DIY.org as suggested.

Watch videos on how to make an origami bat

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How to fold an easy origami bat, step by step tutorial

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Facts about origami and paper folding

✂️ Origami started in Japan and can transform one square sheet into animals, boxes, and complex shapes without glue or scissors.

📄 A sheet of paper folded in half by hand usually reaches a limit around 7–8 folds before it gets too thick — creative tricks can push that further!

🦇 Bats are the only mammals that truly fly — there are more than 1,400 bat species worldwide, from tiny to large!

🔁 Many origami designs rely on symmetry: folding one side mirrors the other to create balanced wings and bodies like a bat's.

🤲 Practicing step-by-step paper folding helps kids build fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and focus.

How do you fold an origami bat?

Start with a square sheet of paper colored side down. Fold it in half diagonally, then unfold and fold along the other diagonal to make creases. Fold the paper into a triangle, then fold the top layer’s corners down to form the bat’s ears. Fold the triangle’s sides back and forth to shape wings and crease them symmetrically. Finish by folding a tiny tip for the head and adjust wing curves for a bat shape. Add decorations if you like.

What materials do I need for an origami bat?

You only need a square sheet of paper (origami paper, construction paper cut to a square, or copier paper). Optional supplies for decorating: non-toxic markers or crayons, stickers, googly eyes, and glue or tape if attaching decorations. A ruler can help make neat creases, and a bone folder or the back of a spoon helps press folds flat. No scissors required unless you want shaped wings or extra embellishments.

What ages is this origami bat suitable for?

Origami bats suit a range of ages: preschoolers (3–5) can join with adult help for simple folding and decorating. Ages 6–8 usually manage basic folds with some guidance, building fine motor skills. Kids 9+ can likely fold independently and try more detailed variations. Adjust difficulty and supervision to the child’s experience with paper folding and scissor use if you choose to cut shapes.

What are the benefits and variations of making origami bats?

Making origami bats boosts fine motor skills, concentration, and understanding of symmetry and spatial thinking. It’s a low-cost, screen-free craft that encourages creativity through decoration. Variations include using patterned paper, making a mobile of multiple bats, folding larger or smaller sizes, or adding folded claws and paper capes. For safety, use non-toxic supplies and supervise younger kids when using glue or small embellishments like googly eyes.
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