By Noreen Doll.
Bats are always popular for Halloween,
and this cute bat finger puppet is easy and fun.
I recycled a black foam tray that previously held vegetables (never reuse one that has held raw meat), that I had washed.
It was long and narrow and pretty much bat -shaped.
Materials.
Black Styrofoam Tray
Scissors
Pencil
Scrap Paper to make a pattern.
2 Bright Red Buttons for eyes.
How to Make a Bat Finger Puppet.
1. Fold in half a piece of paper that is about 11 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches high, so that folded it is 5 1/2 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches high.
2. Use the fold of the paper for the center of the bat’s body, and draw halt a bat out from the fold.
3. While the paper is folded, cut out the half bat.
Open the paper to see the full bat.
4. Make 2 finger holes in the center of the bat’s lower body. I made the bat’s body fairly wide so there would be room for these finger holes.
Check the fit of the holes.
5. Lay the bat pattern on the black foam tray and move it around until you like the way it fits.
If the pattern is too large for the foam tray, fold it in half again so you can adjust both sides together.
6. Use a pencil to trace the bat onto the foam. Trace the 2 holes also.
7. I used scissors to cut the bat out, but because the tray is so thick, I cut off small chunks of the tray outside the bat lines before I did the fine cutting of the bat itself.
You can use a craft knife for this, but cut it in layers and don’t try to cut all the way through on the first pass. Make several passes to cut through, as this foam can often by quite thick.
Kids should be supervised with scissors, and an adult should handle a craft knife if one is being used.
8. If the edge is ragged looking, you can rub it gently agains a hard surface. Or you can decide that the rough edge is a cool way for your bat to look.
9. To start the finger holes, I used an ice pick, making several holes quite close together. Then I used one scissor blade to saw around the rest of the circle.
Adults only should do this part.
10. Glue the buttons on for the eyes, keeping them quite close together.
Tips
You could use red beads, jewels or sequins for the bat’s eyes.
The bat finger puppet could also be made from black craft foam or even card stock, although paper isn’t very sturdy for a kid’s use.
© Noreen Doll
Raj @Pink Chai Style says
What a great idea! I love crafts like this – quick simple and fun for the kids!
Raj
Pink Chai Style
Diana Rambles says
Super cute!
Katie Goldsworthy says
Sooo clever! Thanks for linking it up at Monday Funday. My kiddos would LOVE this!
Michie says
so artistic,thanks for sharing.
Hope you can visit my Inspire me Monday
KC @ Parenting Today says
Love the bat finger puppet! So easy and cute 🙂
Del @ Spud Nails says
Super cute bat! I like how you used buttons as eyes.
Found you through Mix it Up Monday.
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love says
What a cute and clever idea! Thanks for sharing at Mix it up Monday 🙂
Pinkoddy says
What a great idea and I love how you’ve recycled the tray
Capri + 3--Theresa says
That is so cute! I love how the fingers become part of the bat. Thank you for sharing on Artsy Play Wednesday. I pinned it!
SwedishCornerDownUnder...Pernilla says
So cute – I love bats 😀
Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla
Katie @ Made to be a Momma says
This is too cute! My two year old would love this bat…..I would love to have you share at my link party thats going on right now! http://www.madetobeamomma.com/2013/09/homemade-by-you-66.html
Amber says
Wow I love this creativity in this! Especially that it is such a cheap option! I am always looking for cheap holiday crafts to take into my daughters school. It can get quite expensive to provide craft supplies for 30 kids so this is great!
Thanks for linking up at The Blog Strut! Pinning this for later 🙂
Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says
So fun–love the little eyes 🙂
Itzybellababy says
Wow- what a nice way to reuse some otherwise wasted stuff!
Rosey says
This is the cutest thing!! I saw you linked up to The Blog Strut, glad I clicked over. We’ll very likely be making these. 🙂
antonella says
Too cute! Love the fact that it is super simple… perfect for the little onew, kids will definitely love this!
I linked over from the Craft Frenzy Friday Link Party where I am participating too with Sympathy Card and Free Sympathy Cut File and would love it if you’d stop by.
Hugs, Antonella 🙂
Laura says
A fun idea for Halloween! And upcycled too which is always creative!
Tammy says
Super Cute!!! Thank you for sharing at One More Time Events…Xo Tammy
Susan says
How adorable. I’m pinning it now. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday on Organized 31.
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says
This is adorable! thanks for sharing it with us at TTF!
creativejewishmom/sara says
love it! was eyeing a green tray yesterday, but had to toss it since it held meat. thanks for sharing on Craft schooling Sunday!
Kristine @the foley fam says
LOVE it! So cute and so easy and so fun!! Thanks for linkin up to Sunday FUNday girl!
Kelley says
Bat Finger Puppet
This is what I wanted!
Mandee Thomas says
Haha, how cute, and very creative! I would love for you to share this post at my Create & Share Link Party tonight.
Michal says
That is so cute!
Cathy says
What a cute project for the kiddos. Thank you so much for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy
Clairejustine says
Cool, my daughter would love having a go at these 🙂
Thanks for linking up.
Lou Lou Girls says
What a fun idea! Love it. Pinned. Hugs! Lou Lou Girls
Dina@KitchenDreaming says
So much fun!!! Thanks for coming and linking up. Please be sure to come back next week! I hope to see you there!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Love the fun craft. Thanks for sharing at the party @DearCeatives your finger puppet is getting a shout out! And pinned to two boards. Hope to see you again soon!
Meg says
My preschooler loves finger puppets – I see this in our future! Thanks for adding these to Sunday Sharing!