Vampire Bat

paper origami vampire bat
This paper bat is called an Origami Vampire Bat only because it is so creepy looking. Something about the hunched up shoulders and beady eyes make you feel like it will launch right at your throat and drink your blood! Beware the origami vampire bat!

You will need a pair of scissors to make the bat’s head so be prepared to snip.

Instructions for an Origami Vampire Bat

paper origami vampire bat

Step 1:

Start with a square sheet of paper and fold it in half both directions. Unfold.

If you are using origami paper which is colored on one side and white on the back side, then you should start with the white-side facing up. Amazon.com sells black & white origami paper which is perfect for bats and penguins.

paper origami vampire bat
Turn the paper over.

paper origami vampire bat

Step 2:

Fold the paper along the diagonals (both directions) and unfold.

paper origami vampire bat

Step 3:

Collapse the paper into a waterbomb base. To do this, bring the left and right sides of the paper towards each other and, at the same time, bring the top edge of the paper down to align with the bottom edge of the paper.

paper origami vampire bat
In transition. Note the movement of the red dot.

paper origami vampire bat

Step 4:

Use a pair of scissors and make a small cut that is the shape of a letter C. The cut will go through two flaps of paper (top layer and bottom layer) and the cut should not touch the center crease.

paper origami vampire bat

Step 5:

Rearrange the flaps so the cut layers are behind and the two uncut layers are on top..

paper origami vampire bat

Step 6:

Fold the top layers of the model inwards so the edges meet in the middle.

paper origami vampire bat

Step 7:

Fold down the top of the model to get the vampire bat’s head.

paper origami vampire bat
For a simple bat, you can stop here. It looks pretty good and you can imagine this being a paper bat.

Step 8:

If you want to make this model a little more sophisticated, then turn the model over.

paper origami bat

Step 9:

Fold the right-wing towards the left. Make the fold extend from the top corner of the model to the outer edge of the body (see image).

paper origami bat

Step 10:

Fold this flap back towards the right. make the fold about 1/3 of the way from the fold made above.

paper origami bat

Step 11:

Fold the flap back towards the left; align the edges. These last few folds will pleat the bat’s wing like a fan or an accordion.

paper origami bat

Step 12:

Allow the folds on the right side of the model to flare open. Repeat the folds on the left side of the model.

paper origami bat paper origami bat

If you like, you can turn the model over and stop here.
Otherwise keep going.

paper origami bat

Step 13:

Fold the bottom flaps up as shown. This will shorten the legs of the vampire bat.

paper origami bat paper origami bat

Again, you can turn the model over and stop here. This variation gives you a slightly different look.

paper origami bat

Step 14:

Fold the tips of the paper down to make feet.

paper origami bat paper origami bat

Turn the model over.

paper origami vampire bat
An interesting effect is to curl the tip of the wings and to fold or curl the feet forward.

paper origami vampire bat paper origami vampire bat
One last variation is to make the face more narrow by folding back (mountain fold) the edges of the face.