DIY Halloween Bat Decorations

This DIY Halloween bat decorations post is complete with templates and a guide to creating a full moon above your mantel or any wall at home.

Unless you are a huge Halloween fan or you have kids you may not be inclined to decorate for fall, interrupt for the Halloween season, and then back to fall with Thanksgiving. Often I don't. However, this year I decided to add a little spooky touch above our fireplace mantel, even though it's only for a short while.

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DIY Halloween Decor with Flying Bats Around a Full Moon

Trace and Cut out Bats

I've made a flying bat template in two different sizes that you can use to create your black bats. Click on the image above and print them out.

Next, fold a piece of black cardstock paper in half lengthwise, trace out a few bats, and cut them out. Make as many as you like varying between the two sizes.

P.S. You could use black construction paper if you have it on hand.

Making the Full Moon

I used some white spray paint to get started but you can easily skip this step. You can also use a piece of smooth heavy cardboard and cut out a circle shape instead of buying a wooden round.

Use a picture of the full moon like the one shown above as a guide.

Cover the circle with white paint. Then mix white and black paint together to make shades of dark gray and charcoal.

Paint areas of darkness as shown in your full moon picture. You can use a wet paper towel to bunch up and dab around the painting to soften the colors. Then use the end of your paint brush to paint dabs of white and streaks like the full moon photo.

To further soften the full moon add watered down white paint all over to create a nice haze.

I have a large nail in the bricks above my mantel so I used an upside-down command hook and tied some wire onto it to create a hanger.

Hanging the Bats Around the Moon

Once you hang the moon you can begin to hang the paper bats by placing a dot of hot glue (or glue dots) on the fold and setting them in varied spots around the moon.

I tried using double-sided tape to adhere the bottom of the bat but it didn't stay. A little dab of hot glue did the trick. However, if you are using this craft for a standard wall without bricks that may work for you.

To finish off the scene I added a couple of candles and some orange faux berry sprays in bottle vases on the side.

Flying bats around a full moon. It's just spooky enough for me.

Happy Halloween!