Nature Walk to Halloween Craft: Make Pine Cone Bats with Kids

Some of the best kids’ crafts start before you ever sit down at the table.

A simple fall nature walk can become the perfect beginning to a fun Halloween craft. Children get to explore outdoors, gather natural materials, notice seasonal changes, and then turn their finds into something creative back at home.

This easy project combines nature, creativity, and imaginative play in one cozy fall activity.

Today’s craft? Pine Cone Bats — a playful Halloween project made with pine cones, cardboard or cardstock wings, googly eyes, and a few simple supplies.

Start With a Fall Nature Walk

Before making your bats, head outside for a short nature walk.

You do not need a forest trail or a big adventure. A neighborhood walk, local park, or backyard can work just fine.

As you walk, encourage children to look for:

• Pine cones

• Interesting leaves

• Acorns

• Small sticks

• Seed pods

• Other safe, natural treasures

If you’d like, bring along a basket or paper bag for collecting.

This is also a great time to talk about what children notice around them:

• Are the leaves changing color?

• Is the air cooler than it was a few weeks ago?

• What sounds do they hear?

• Have they ever seen a bat outside at dusk?

Even a quick walk can turn into a meaningful little family moment.

Supplies

Once you’re back home, gather the rest of your craft supplies.

You’ll need:

• Pine cones

• Brown or black card stock, construction paper, or lightweight cardboard

• Googly eyes

• White felt or white card stock for fangs

• Brown or tan paper for a nose

• Child-safe scissors

• Glue or tacky craft glue

• Black or brown marker

Optional:

• String or ribbon for hanging

• Extra leaves or acorns for decorating your display

For younger children, an adult may want to pre-cut the wings, ears, and other small pieces.

How to Make Pine Cone Bats

Step 1: Get Your Pine Cones Ready

Choose pine cones that are dry and fairly open. If needed, gently brush off any dirt or loose debris.

Set each pine cone upright and decide which side will be the front of your bat.

Step 2: Cut Out the Wings

From cardboard or sturdy paper, cut a pair of bat wings for each pine cone.

Corrugated cardboard works especially well because it adds a little extra texture, but card stock or construction paper will work too.

You can make the wings:

• Large and dramatic

• Small and sweet

• Rounded

• Pointy

• Silly

• Spooky

No two bats need to look the same.

Step 3: Cut the Face Pieces

Cut out:

• Two small ears

• A little oval or circle nose

• Two tiny white triangle fangs, if desired

Children can also draw a smile or other expression with marker.

Step 4: Glue It Together

Glue the wings to the back of the pine cone.

Then add:

• Ears near the top

• Googly eyes on the front

• Nose in the center

• Fangs underneath the nose

Let everything dry completely before moving or displaying your bats.

Step 5: Add Personality

This is where the bats really come to life.

Some children may want their bat to look:

• Friendly

• Silly

• Sleepy

• Surprised

• Mischievous

• Extra spooky

Try giving each bat its own name and personality.

Easy Adjustments by Age

Ages 3–5

For younger children, keep the project simple.

An adult can:

• Pre-cut the wings, ears, and nose

• Add glue where needed

• Help position smaller pieces

Young children can focus on:

• Choosing the wings

• Pressing on the eyes

• Deciding if their bat looks happy, silly, or spooky

• Naming their creation

Ages 6–8

Older children can do more of the design work independently.

They may enjoy:

• Drawing and cutting their own wings

• Designing different bat faces

• Making a whole bat family

• Creating a hanging display

• Writing a tiny Halloween story about their bats

Display Your Pine Cone Bats

Once your bats are finished, children can display them in all kinds of fun ways.

Try:

• Scattering them along a fall centerpiece

• Placing them near pumpkins or books

• Tucking one into a Halloween gift basket

• Hanging them from a branch display

• Creating a little “bat cave” scene on a shelf or windowsill

If you gathered fall leaves during your walk, you can use those in the display too.

Extend the Fun

One of the things we love most about this project is that it doesn’t have to end when the craft is finished.

This activity can become a full afternoon of learning and play.

You might:

• Read a bat-themed story afterward

• Look up a few kid-friendly facts about bats

• Sort the natural items you collected on your walk

• Compare pine cones by size and shape

• Create a pretend story about where your bats live

That’s part of what makes this such a wonderful fall activity — it begins outdoors and continues with creativity, conversation, and play.

A Simple Fall Tradition

Sometimes the most memorable family activities are the simplest ones.

A short walk.
A handful of pine cones.
A few craft supplies.
A table full of little bats.

That’s all it takes to create something fun together.

So the next time the weather feels cool and the leaves are starting to fall, head outside for a little nature walk — and bring home the start of your next Halloween craft.

Create. Play. Learn.

Little Dreamers Club