How to make an Origami Flapping Bat

An origami bat with flapping wings is a difficult toy to make and is definitely worth the time because it can flap its wings! This toy was invented by Thomas Hull, and we’ll tell you step by step what you need to do to replicate it. Follow the instructions below and you’ll have a great figurine for home plays, or Halloween decorations!

Step 1

Take a sheet of 15 x 15 cm square origami paper. Choose dark shades of gray, brown, or black.

Step 2

Fold the paper in half along the horizontal diagonal axis. Iron the edges well.

Step 3

Fold the paper in half again. Work out the fold and unfold.

Step 4

Step 5

Now fold the bottom tip of the piece to the top tip.

Step 6

Step 7

Fold the paper in half again.

Step 8

Step 9

On the top layer of your paper, make a simple diagonal fold. Iron the fold line well.

Step 10

Step 11

Flip the paper over.

Step 12

Step 13

Make a diagonal fold as shown in the photo below. So far, it’s pretty simple, isn’t it?

Step 14

Step 15

Now it’s time to make the same diagonal fold on the middle layer of your future bat.

Step 16

Turn your product 180 degrees as shown in the photo.
Now unfold the paper in the center and make a squash fold, carefully pressing the paper and smoothing the edges.

Step 17

Next, make the petal fold. To do this, make two diagonal folds of the paper to the center, and iron well. You should get a figure, as in the photo.

Step 18

Make a horizontal fold “Valley” and complete the petal formation.

Step 19

Now gently fold the center tongue of your composition.

Step 20

Step 21

Step 22

Step 23

Turn the piece over.

Step 24

Pull the left and right ends apart to unfold the paper.

Step 25

Make a horizontal fold in the center. Then bring the sides back to the center to “close” the paper.

Step 26

Re-fold your product.

Step 27

Step 28

Re-fold your product.

Step 29

Step 30

Step 31

Now for the most unexpected part! Unfold your piece to the state at the beginning of Step 2. Don’t panic, everything is going according to plan.

Step 32

Step 33

Fold the tip of your leaf as shown in the photo.
Now fold the bottom tip of your paper almost to the top edge.

Step 34

Step 35

Step 36

Now, look carefully at the photo below, and make a depression in the center of the top layer. After that, again bring both sides of the piece to the center.