Bat Origami Activity

Materials You Will Need:

• Origami paper (6 x 6 inches)

Step-by-Step Folding Instructions (with photos):

 

Two hands fold origami paper into a triangle shape surrounded by finished origami bats in red and blue colors.

Step 1:

Start with a square piece of paper (desired color side down), and fold one corner to the opposite corner, creating a flat triangle.

 

Hands fold origami paper into a triangle and in half, creating a crease.

Step 2:

Fold triangle in half, create a crease, then unfold.

 

Hands turning the triangle shape upside down, two creases are visible.

Step 3:

Turn the triangle upside down. Fold the tip of the triangle to meet the opposite edge, then unfold.

 

Step 4:

Fold the tip of the triangle to the new crease you’ve made. You should end up with two creases. Unfold.

 

Hands folding origami paper in the shape of a pointy hat.

Step 5:

Take the smallest crease facing down and fold it up to meet with the top edge of the triangle. Your paper should now look like a hat.

 

Hands folding the small tip.

Step 6:

Fold the small flap towards you so the tip of the triangle meets the top crease.

 

Two hands folding the whole shape in half along the center crease and backward.

Step 7:

Fold the whole shape in half away from you along the center crease. Unfold, and flip the whole paper over.

 

Step 8:

Fold the bottom edge of the right “wing” to line up with the center crease. Repeat the same step with the left “wing”. Unfold both wings.

 

Two index fingers pointing to two corners on the origami paper that will meet when folded.

Step 9:

Take the furthest point of the left wing and fold it to the point on the right where the “head” meets the “body” of the bat. Unfold once you’ve made a crease. Complete the same steps for the right wing. Unfold once you’ve made a crease.

 

Two index fingers pointing to the center crease and a diagonal crease on the other side of the bat that will meet when folded.

Step 10:

Flip the whole shape over. The following folds will be accordion-like. Fold the diagonal crease to line up with the center crease.

 

Two index fingers pressing the folds down.

Step 11:

Then, fold the second crease to the center while keeping the fold. Open the wing slightly to reveal a thin right triangle, and fold the back of the wing to align with the diagonal edge. Ensure your wing points left. Finally, fold the wing so the crease aligns with the center and points right. Once you unfold the right side, you'll have a completed wing with a cool zigzag pattern.

 

Right hands unfolding the right wing to display the four alternating creases that make up the wing.

Step 12:

Complete the same steps on your left wing.

 

One hands holding the bottom of the origami bat after it has been flipped over.

Step 13:

Flip the bat over.

 

Step 14:

Pinch the top to create the head and ears while using your thumb and index finger to accentuate and reinforce the shape of the head.

 

Both hands holding the wings of the completed origami bat flat against the table.

Final Step:

Your bat is now complete!