How to Make a Paper Bat Wall Swarm for Halloween: Cardstock Bats in an Hour
To make a paper bat wall swarm, print a bat template, cut bats from black cardstock in a few sizes, score and fold the wings with a ruler and bone folder, then stick them to the wall with double-sided tape in a flying pattern. Craft Passion estimates about 1 hour and $5 to $10 for its version.
A bat swarm is one of the cheapest ways to make a blank wall feel haunted, and you can find black cardstock on Amazon for the whole project. Two published tutorials show how it is done; here is what they have in common and how to place the bats so they read as a flock, not a pile of paper.
What do you need for a paper bat swarm?
- Black cardstock for the bats, plus white cardstock if you want to print the template and cut it out first (Craft Passion)
- Printable bat templates or a free template from either tutorial
- A bone folder and a metal ruler for crisp wing creases (both tutorials use these; Country Hill Cottage also mentions freehand folding)
- Sharp craft scissors
- Double-sided tape to attach bats to the wall; check the label for use on painted surfaces
How do you make paper bats step by step?
- Print the template. Print it on white cardstock (Craft Passion), or print it on self-adhesive paper and attach that to black cardstock, smoothing out air bubbles (Country Hill Cottage).
- Cut assorted sizes. Craft Passion cuts the templates out in different sizes. Cutting roughly first and then refining the edges is Country Hill Cottage’s tip.
- Trace and cut the bats. Fold black cardstock and trace the template, then cut out each bat carefully.
- Crease the wings. Score along the wing lines with a ruler and bone folder, then fold the wings in the opposite direction to the center line so they lift off the wall.
- Stick them up. Put double-sided tape at the center of each bat and press it to the wall.
Country Hill Cottage lists a total time of 30 minutes for a batch of 5 to 8 bats. Neither source says how many bats a wall needs, so plan your count by eye.
How should you arrange a bat swarm?
Craft Passion suggests arranging the bats “as they are swarming towards a direction.” Country Hill Cottage flew its bats around a paper moon. A few layout ideas that follow from that:
| Layout | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Directional flock | Start with a tight cluster of small bats at one end and fan out larger ones in the direction of travel |
| Around a focal point | Circle bats around a paper moon, as Country Hill Cottage did |
| Corner accent | Add black tulle netting, spider webs and spiders in corners, as Craft Passion suggests |
| Branch display | Attach bats to branches in a vase, a Country Hill Cottage alternative |
How do you make the swarm look better?
- Vary the sizes. A mix of small and large bats looks more natural than one size.
- Use glitter paper for sparkle. Country Hill Cottage lists glitter paper as an option for the bat material.
- Add light. A single warm or purple light skimming the wall adds shadows under the folded wings. See our home haunt lighting guide.
- Add a ghost. A chicken wire ghost floating among the bats finishes the look.
- Take them down carefully. Peel tape slowly after Halloween so it does not lift paint; neither tutorial covers removal, so test a hidden spot first.
Where else can you use paper bats?
Bats work indoors above a mantel, up a staircase wall or around a door frame, and the same idea can dress up a graveyard scene backdrop on a covered porch if you keep them dry. For more projects, browse our list of DIY Halloween ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper is best for paper bats? Both tutorials use black cardstock. Country Hill Cottage also lists glitter paper.
How long does a paper bat wall take? Craft Passion estimates about 1 hour, and Country Hill Cottage lists 30 minutes for 5 to 8 bats.
How much does it cost? Craft Passion estimates $5 to $10. Country Hill Cottage does not state a cost.
How do you make the bats look 3D? Score the wings with a ruler and bone folder and fold them in the opposite direction to the center line so they stand off the wall.
How do you hang paper bats without damaging walls? Both tutorials use double-sided tape. Check the tape label for painted walls and test a hidden spot first.
Ready for your next project? Browse DIY Halloween ideas or make a chicken wire ghost.
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