How to Make Bat Ears
Bats are unique mammals that have sparked the imagination of the movie industry, countless fictional works, and an abundant amount of superstition. According to the Smithsonian Institute, "Bats are mammals belonging to the order Chiroptera, a name of Greek origin meaning "hand-wing," which accurately describes the animal's most unusual anatomical feature." Creating bat ears for educational use or for fun is a simple project that can be made by gluing or stapling felt triangles to a strip of elastic or to a plastic headband. Teachers of classrooms requiring multiple bat ear sets appreciate this project's ease of construction.
Things You'll Need
- 2 brown or black felt triangles (3-inches by 3-inches by 3-inches)
- Elastic - black, ½-inches width by ¾ of head measurement
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Plastic headband *optional
- Glue gun & glue sticks
- Stapler & staples
Instructions
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1
Measure the child's head from the middle of the forehead, around the back of the head, and returning to the middle of the forehead.
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2
Cut, with the scissors, a piece of ½-inch wide black elastic to ¾ of the head measurement. Staple the ends of the elastic together to form a circle or loop that will be worn around the child's head. The elastic will stretch to the child's full head measurement.
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3
Glue or staple the two felt triangles four to six inches apart on the piece of elastic or glue the felt triangles onto the plastic headband.
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4
Place the elastic loop around the child's forehead/head or slip the plastic headband on top of the head.
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Tips & Warnings
Construction paper can be used for the bat ears instead of felt. Craft and hobby stores sell packages of plastic headbands.
When using bat ears with small children, it is the safer alternative to use the plastic headband rather than the elastic loop which could be a choking hazard. Older children and pre-teens are better served with the elastic loop method of bat ear construction. Use caution when operating a hot glue gun as extreme temperatures can cause burns and injuries.
