Halloween Bat Branches

 I made some Halloween Bat Branches to decorate for Halloween this year. I painted some branches black and hung bats covered in glitter from the branches. Then I spread some cob webs in the branches too. You can find the step by step tutorial below along with the bat template that I used. It's a fun table decoration for Halloween and you could have your kids help too.

 First Hudson and I went searching for big "spooky" looking branches. We didn't have much trouble finding any because there is a pistachio grove right by our house that has lots of branches lying around. Hudson loved helping me with this part. Then I spray painted them black!

 

 Next you will print out the bat template that you can find here. I printed an extra one out for Hudson to color while I was cutting and using the glitter.

 Then cut our the template and trace it onto black card stock paper. I made six bats to hang in my branches.

 Once you have cut out all of your bats, you will use a hole punch to make a hole to hang them with ribbon or twine.

Next I brushed the bats with Mod Podge and covered with glitter.

 Shake off the excess glitter, then do the same thing to the other side. Let the bats dry and then you can hang them in the branches with ribbon or twine.

 Finally, I took some cob webs and spread them through the branches.

Halloween Bat Craft

 I made this Halloween Bat this morning with Hudson. It is made from a recycled egg carton. I found the idea on Pinterest here via Enchanted Learning. I know Halloween is still over a month away, but I am kind of over Summer and ready for Fall! Hudson also keeps telling me "I am SO excited for Halloween!!!"...So I thought we would make something "Halloweenish" today since he has a bit of a wait ahead of him! You will need:

-Egg carton

-Black spray paint

-Eyes

-Ribbon

-Glue

Here is how we made ours:

 Start with an empty egg carton and cut the top and sides off so it looks like this.

Each egg carton can make 4 bats, so cut the carton into sections like this. You will need to trim the backs down so that it can sit flat.

Next cut out  each side to make the bats wings. Then spray paint each bat black.

 Now that the bat has dried you child can help with this part. Have you child place glue on the backs of the eyes and place them onto the bats face.

 Make a small hole in the top of the bat's head and have your child push the ribbon through the hole. Tie a couple knots to keep the ribbon from pulling through. And you're done! Now you can hang the bat somewhere in the house as a Halloween decoration.