25 Creative and Engaging Bat Activities For Preschool

Engaging young children in activities that explore the world of bats can be a fun and educational experience. From bat-themed crafts to dramatic play, there are plenty of activities to choose from to keep your preschoolers entertained and learning. Here are 25 creative and engaging bat activities for preschoolers.

1. Create a bat mask. Let your preschoolers explore their creative sides by creating their own bat masks. Provide cardstock, paints, googly eyes, and feathers or other craft supplies to make the perfect bat masks.

2. Make a bat painting. Have the kids dip their hands in black paint and make handprints on a piece of paper to create a bat painting.

3. Have a bat treasure hunt. Hide bat-shaped items such as rubber bats, plastic bats, or paper plates with bat designs around the room. Let the preschoolers go hunting for the bats.

4. Enjoy a bat story. Read a bat-themed book to your preschoolers, such as “Stellaluna” by Janell Cannon.

5. Play a game of bat tag. Have your preschoolers form a circle, then call out “bat tag” and run around the circle. The person who is “it” has to try and tag someone before they can make it back to the starting spot.

6. Create bat wings. Cut out two long triangles from black paper and attach them to the back of a t-shirt with tape, string, or elastic to make a pair of bat wings.

7. Make a bat puppet. Have the kids make their own bat puppets with black construction paper, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners.

8. Learn about bat anatomy. Trace a bat’s body onto a piece of white paper and cut it out. Have the kids color in the different parts of the bat’s body and attach labels to each part.

9. Explore bat caves. Create a bat cave in your classroom by draping black fabric from one side of the room to the other. Turn off the lights and let the preschoolers explore the cave with flashlights.

10. Have a bat snack. Cut a piece of bread into a bat shape then spread cream cheese onto it. Place raisins or olives for eyes and a cut-up strawberry for a nose.

11. Play a game of hide and seek. Have the kids hide around the room like bats, then have one person find them all.

12. Do a bat science experiment. Put some popcorn kernels into a paper bag and put it in the microwave. Explain to the kids that the popcorn kernels are like bat babies, and watch them “hatch” when the popcorn pops.

13. Participate in a bat relay race. Divide the preschoolers into two teams and have them take turns running down the hall with a bat toy or bat-shaped object.

14. Play bat music. Play a variety of bat-themed songs and have the kids move around the room to the music.

15. Have a bat fashion show. Provide a variety of clothes and accessories for the kids to dress up in, then have them walk down a makeshift runway.

16. Follow a bat map. Draw a simple map of your classroom and have the preschoolers follow the map to find a hidden bat toy or treat.

17. Make a bat collage. Provide the kids with bat-themed magazine clippings and other materials to make a bat collage.

18. Do a bat-themed scavenger hunt. Hide bat-shaped items around the room and have the preschoolers search the room for them.

19. Make a bat puppet theater. Cut a circle out of a cardboard box and attach it to the top of a box or table. Provide the kids with paper, markers, and other materials to make their own bat puppets.

20. Play a game of bat ball. Have the kids form two teams, then use a beach ball or other soft ball and throw it back and forth.

21. Do a bat movement activity. Play some bat-themed music and have the kids flutter around the room like bats.

22. Sing a bat song. Sing a simple song about bats, such as “Bats Are Out at Night.”

23. Play a game of bat limbo. Have the kids form two lines and hold a broomstick between them. Ask them to “fly” under the broomstick like bats.

24. Create a batting track. Place a piece of paper on the floor and have the kids run around it, pretending to be bats.

25. Have a bat picnic. Spread a blanket on the floor and provide a variety of bat-themed snacks.