Created June 2010
Updated March 2020
I’ve updated this page for anyone who wants to keep a bat loving child occupied. If you find other useful resources let me know .enquiries@bedsbatgroup.org.uk
I will add new material to the top of this page
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
March 24th
BCT have made more free resources available. This is a huge resource and far ranging produced as part of the Count Bat project
STEM Learning is the UK’s largest provider of education and careers support in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.They have a huge resources bank including this
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)
see above link
______________________________________________________________The Bat Conservation Trust has a load of free activities
Pipistrelle Daubenton’s and Brown long eared
Other more advanced designs in Chiroptrivia 2oo8
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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 bat biscuits. Cutters can be found on the internet. ( More complex cutters often get gummed up quickly)
This vers0n £3.89 ( March 2020)
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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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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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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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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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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 Kent_Bat_Box_Jul2013_copy
Make sure there are enough adults to supervise this activity
Download a pdf file of illustrated instructions Kent Bat Box leaflet
Download an article about where to site boxes Box installation leaflet
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Draw a thumbprint bat
Instructions for a simple bat.
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 pom pom bat http://www.redtedart.com/bat-crafts-pom-pom-bats/
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Make toilet roll bat Instructions
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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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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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Michaela Viola of Goldington Green Lower School 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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Youngsters can make bats out of Plasticene. This one was made by 5 year old Emily
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Youngsters 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 mask to make – This one from the Scottish Wildlife Trust
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Books
‘It was June 21st and it was a very special day, for not only was it midsummer’s day, but also Bobby the Brown long-eared bat was born.
In the old farmhouse, a number of mother bats were resting, huddled together with their pups, hanging downwards along the ridge beam in the attic, with their long ears curled backwards like rams’ horns. Amongst them were Bobby and his mum’.
Join Bobby on his first exciting adventure, from his birth in the old attic to being outside for the first time.
Purchasing this book contributes to bat conservation and 10% of the net proceeds will be donated to the Bat Conservation Trust. Thank you for taking an interest and helping bats2
Bobbie the Brown eared Bat https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bobby-Brown-Long-Eared-Bat-Mills/dp/0995477701
For older chidren
Shade is a young Silverwing bat, the runt of his colony. But he is determined to prove himself on the long and dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a torrential storm, Shade is swept away from his family, his friends, and the only life he has ever known. Alone and frightened as winter fast approaches and temperatures plunge, Shade must make a remarkable journey to rejoin his colony to the south.
Sunwing continues Shade’s epic adventure begun in Silverwing. Shade discovers a mysterious human building containing a vast forest. Home to thousands of bats, the indoor forest is as warm as a summer night and teeming with insects to eat. And through the glass roof the bats can finally see the sun, free from the tyranny of the deadly owls. But is this bat paradise all that it seems? Shade and his Brightwing friend Marina aren’t so sure. Shade has seen Humans enter the forest and take away hundreds of sleeping bats for an unknown purpose. And where is Shade’s father? In this thrilling continuation of Shade’s saga, Kenneth Oppel expands the adventure and poignancy of Silverwing and takes it to a new level of excitement.