Created June 2010
Updated Noveeber 2012
On this page you will find a range of items which can be made by or used with children -but adults find them fun too
A major new and more importantly FREE resource has been produced by the Bat Conservation Trust. This is jammed packed with most of the things we could think of if you are running a bat related event. (A lot of materials which we have developed during our outreach work has been included in the pack, so we are prejudiced).
You can download the pack here.
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All you have to do is say what you plan to use it for
An ipad application about bats . One or two reviews have said it is a bit scary in places and might scare kids – not any that I know! This is an American production and so features bats not found in the UK
http://www.itproportal.com/2012/02/03/apple-outs-ipad-app-for-kids-bats-furry-fliers-of-the-night/
They have their own facebook page.
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If you are working with children, you could do a lot worse then get a copy of the Bat Conservation Trust’s ” Exploring the World of Bats”
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Make a flying bat
Download a design from BCT
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Make bat biscuits. Cutters can be found on the internet. ( More complex cutters often get gummed up quickly)
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Make these lovely bats and owls using acorns and pine cones for bodies. Instructions
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A nice exhibit is to buy in fruit that are bat pollinated For information on the relationship between bats and plants, you simply can’t beat this site , there are lots and lots of examples and the illustrations are superb. Let the children eat the fruit.
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Colouring in is always popular . You can use a bat outline and leave people to colour it in, or leave comments on it – a very good way of collecting feedback.
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Photo Jude Hirstwood
Make bat masks Download a pattern from BCT
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If you can borrow a badge maker, you can get children to colour in bat drawings like the ones to the the right and then make badges under adult supervision. Parents will enjoy this too
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Find yourself a storyteller to tell stories about bats. For some story ideas try our bat folklore page
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Photo Jude Hirtstwood
Find yourself a local craftsman or woman and get them to help people build some willow bats or a bigger bat sculpture
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Photo Simon Joynes
Run a treasure hunt. Write bat facts on bat outlines and tie them to trees. Send children and parents out to look for them. We used multiple choice questions so that all they had to do was tick the correct answer , easier for them and for you mark. For a pdf file click here2007-4-Treasurehuntweb
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Photo Jude Hirstwood
If you have about an hour you can assemble Kent boxes with a group of children
Cut the wood to size beforehand.
For the Kent bat box design Kent Bat box design
Make sure there are enough adults to supervise this activity
Download a pdf file of illustrated instructionsKent Bat Box leaflet
Download an article about where to site boxes Box installation leaflet
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Make a kite Download instructions from BCT
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Make a bat hat. Download instructions from BCT
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Make a finger puppet
Instructions
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Draw a thumbprint bat
Instructions for a simple bat.
drawing Maggie Brown West Yorks Bat hospital
Instructions for a more complicated bat
Thumbprint Bats 2
(Thanks to Maggie Brown on the Yorkshire bat group for these ideas)
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Make a clip on bat Instructions
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Photo Jude Hirstwood
Make a pom pom bat
Instructions for how to make a pom pom bat
instructions for making the bat (These were made from fab foam, but you could make them with paper)
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Make a toilet roll bat
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Make an origami bat
Download a design from activity village
Download a design from BCT
Other more advanced designs in Chiroptrivia 2oo8
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Make a bat costume
instructions
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Simple join the dots picture
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Help the bat find its tree roost
a Maze puzzle. Download pdf bat maze
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Make a paper cup bat
www.activityvillage.co.uk/paper_cup_bat.htm
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Wonky Giraffe joined us at an event in Wardown Park Museum . She took a line drawing of the museum and got children to colour it in and add flying bats.
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Be a bat, avoid predators and catch insects. Great fun www.horniman.ac.uk/naturebase/quizzes/bat-sense-game/
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YOU Tube video of animated brown bat singing about echolocation. Be warned it sticks in your mind . Kids really love this.There’s also a version in french
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Learn to count with Count Dracula and his bats from Sesame Street
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This quirky and witty animation features a very grumpy bat.
An adaptation of a Mexican legend, the film pokes fun at how we try to be “better” than others, at all costs, instead of accepting ourselves as we are. In this comic tale, a mischievous Bat makes himself a beautiful costume with the feathers his friends the birds generously give him. But when the Bat fails to be grateful, his envy and pride will bring him to a disastrous outcome.
NB Bats are not blind, but let us not let that spoil a wonderful story Click here to watch it.
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Michaela Viola of Goldington Green Lower Schoolo prepared a series of lesson plans for use with Explore the World of Bats. We thank her for permission to post them here
2011 Lesson Plans To Follow On From The Making Bat Boxes Workshop
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The Bat Conservation Trust have just introduced a new interactive bat map. Move the cursor over the map to find information and videos about bats
This link is currently broken
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Youngsters can make bats out of Plasticene. This one was made by 5 year old Emily
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Y
oungster are brilliant at drawing bats. This is one by a pupil at Caddington Village School
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Make a bat card Instructions
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Another bat kite to make .
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Another bat mask to make – This one from the Scottish Wildlife Trust
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