Paper Bats Halloween Decoration: Easy Walls, Windows and Lamps

Black paper bats Halloween decoration arranged in a flying pattern on a wall

Paper bats are a fast Halloween decoration made by cutting bat shapes from black paper and sticking them on walls, windows or lamps so they look like they are flying. You only need paper, scissors and a safe way to stick them up. A wall of bats takes about 30 to 45 minutes and costs very little.

This is one of those crafts that looks much harder than it is. The secret is not perfect cutting. It is using three sizes and placing them like a flock, with space between them, all moving in the same general direction. Even simple shapes look great when you group them well.

What you will need

  • Black card stock or thick black paper, construction paper works for one season
  • Pencil or white chalk pencil for marking
  • Sharp scissors, small scissors help for curves
  • Ruler for sizing
  • Removable adhesive dots, museum putty, or low tack painter tape
  • A printed or drawn bat shape for your first template, optional
Crumpled black paper and a pair of scissors on a plain white background, the basic black paper and scissors materials for paper bats

How to make a freehand bat template

You do not need to print anything. You can draw a simple bat in under a minute with the fold trick. This gives you two matching wings every time.

  1. Take a sheet of black paper and fold it in half.
  2. On the fold, draw half a small body. Think of a half oval with a small round head at the top and a tiny ear bump.
  3. From the head, draw a wing out and up with two soft dips, like a shallow letter W with curved edges. Bring the line back down to the bottom of the body.
  4. Cut along your line while the paper is still folded.
  5. Open it up. You have a full bat with matching wings.

If the first one looks a bit odd, keep it. Real flocks have variety, and a mix of shapes looks more natural than all bats being the same. Use your best bat as a template to trace the rest.

Hands tracing bat shapes in chalk on black felt with cut out bat templates, small pumpkins and scissors beside the work

Step by step: cut and hang your paper bats

  1. Make templates in three sizes. Large bats about 10 to 12 inches wide, medium bats about 7 to 8 inches wide, and small bats about 4 to 5 inches wide. One template of each size is enough.
  2. Trace and cut a batch. Trace 15 to 25 bats total for one wall. A good mix is 5 large, 8 medium and 8 small. Stack two sheets only if your scissors are sharp, or the edges will tear.
    3. Close up of hands cutting a black bat shape from felt with large scissors, small orange pumpkins in the background
  3. Fold the wings. Fold each bat gently down the center of the body, then fold each wing back a little the other way. This small fold makes the bat stand out from the wall and cast a shadow, which is what makes it look real.
    4. A person folding bright paper at a craft desk with scissors and supplies nearby, the paper folding stage of the craft
  4. Plan the layout on the floor or table first. Start with large bats low and to one side, then let medium and small bats trail up and out, like they are flying away. Leave gaps. Tight clusters look messy.
  5. Stick the center bat first. Put a small adhesive dot or a loop of painter tape on the back of the body only, not on the wings. Press firmly for a few seconds.
  6. Add the rest one by one. Step back every few bats to check the flow. Turn some bats a little up or down so they do not all point the same way, but keep the general direction the same.
    7. Black paper bats arranged across a bright orange wall in a flying pattern, a finished paper bat wall display
  7. Add a few to a window or lamp. On glass, adhesive dots work well. Near a lamp, place bats on the wall behind it so the warm light makes their shadows bigger. Keep paper well away from a hot bulb and never stick paper on a lamp shade that gets hot.

Safe ways to stick bats up without harming paint

This is the part people worry about, and rightly so. The wrong tape can pull paint off when you take the bats down.

  • Removable adhesive dots: Made for posters and light paper. Press, do not rub hard. Peel slowly from the paper side when you remove them.
  • Museum putty or poster putty: Roll a tiny pea size ball, press it on the body of the bat, and press to the wall. Good for matte paint.
  • Painter tape loops: Use low tack blue or green painter tape. Make a small loop with the sticky side out. It holds light paper well and comes off clean on most painted walls.
  • Avoid: Regular clear tape, duct tape, and hot glue on walls. They are too strong and can lift paint or leave marks.

Always test one bat in a hidden spot for a day first, like behind a door, if your paint is fresh or very matte. Fresh paint needs at least a few weeks to harden before you stick anything to it. When you take bats down, peel slowly at a low angle and do not yank.

Where to place paper bats for the best look

  • Above a sofa or mantel: Start the flock at one corner and let it rise across the wall.
  • Hallway or stairs: Let the bats follow the line of the stairs going up.
  • Front window: Place bats on the inside of the glass so they show as dark shapes from outside at night.
  • Kitchen or dining area: A small group of 5 to 7 bats over a door frame is enough.
  • Kids room door: A few small bats around the door is fun and not too scary.

If you want to build a fuller Halloween corner, pair the bats with other cute Halloween crafts for adults like small pumpkins or a simple garland. The Decor Guide also rounds up adult Halloween craft ideas that work well in living rooms, not just for kids parties.

For a soft contrast, you can set a fabric pumpkin below the bat wall. Our crochet pumpkin pattern for beginners gives you that cozy touch to balance the dark bats.

Halloween stickers decorating the window of a brick house, a front window Halloween display seen from outside the home

Tips for a clean, pro look

  • Use card stock if you want to save the bats for next year. Thin paper curls at the edges.
  • Cut with long, smooth cuts. Short snips make the wing edges look jagged.
  • Keep the bodies small and the wings wide. That shape reads as a bat from far away.
  • Do not hang every bat flat. The center fold and raised wings are key.
  • Take a photo when you love the layout, so you can repeat it next year.
  • Store flat in a large envelope or folder with tissue between layers.

FAQ

How many paper bats do I need for one wall?

For a normal living room wall, 15 to 25 bats in three sizes look full without being crowded. For a small area like a door or window, 7 to 10 is enough.

Can I make paper bats with regular printer paper?

Yes, you can paint or color printer paper black, but it will be thin and may curl. Black construction paper or card stock holds its shape much better.

Will adhesive dots damage my wall?

Removable dots and poster putty are made to come off clean on most walls. Test in a hidden spot first, take them down slowly, and avoid using them on fresh paint or peeling paint.

Can I hang paper bats outside?

Paper bats are best inside. Outside, wind and damp air will bend and ruin them fast. If you need outdoor bats, cut the same template from thin black foam sheets or plastic folders instead.

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