When it comes to Halloween decor, I like it fun + cute, rather than spooky + creepy. And living in Austin, TX (which is home to millions of bats under the Congress Bridge) we’ve gone bat crazy! We love hanging our 88 bats up each year.
They’re easy to make! You’ll love them too.
** DOWNLOAD THE FREE PAPER BAT TEMPLATE HERE **
I love looking at these pics over the years to see where we’ve hung them, in the old house and new one.
They’re always flying in a steady stream:
I was inspired by this idea on Country living. I tried it out and loved it so much, I’m sharing the steps with you!
It’s very easy to do:
• First download my free template HERE. Then print the page from your home computer, cut it out, and now you have a pattern piece.
• Use black cardstock or construction paper. This package of all-black cardstock is perfect. (affiliate link)
• Fold the cardstock/paper in half and lay the bat template “on the fold” as indicated on the template.
• Cut out your bats! Don’t bother with tracing–that takes way too long. Just hold the pattern on there as you cut. Doesn’t need to be exact.
When you’re done you have these cool little guys! I cut out about 100 bats (we must have lost some over the years since I only have 88 now!).
When you’re done cutting, hang them up by applying a small piece of scotch tape or double-stick tape on the back. If you’re hanging them outside, use duct tape.
Arrange them in any fashion you like. Bats usually fly in a stream, following each other.
And if you ever come to Austin, you must witness those famous bats.
A year ago before we moved here, Casey and I were downtown hanging out on a dock by the river and just happened to glance up to this amazing sight:
Every night around dusk, millions of bats emerge from under the Congress Bridge (where they’ve been chirping and hiding all day) and they fly off to find food. They follow each other in a stream like this for an hour! It’s truly an amazing sight; I’ve never seen anything like it.
What I’d like to know is, which bat is the first one to yell out “go time!” I’m sure the hundreds of spectators waiting for them to fly out would like to know so we can plan our evening a little better.
Who knew bats could look so pretty?
Especially at night, by candlelight.
Enjoy your bat sightings!
Check out all of our Halloween house decor HERE, use these 5 tutorials:
