You guys might know already that I like decorating with natural elements in my house. So if you’re looking for a rustic, eco-friendly Halloween craft, these corn husk bats are a simple and spooky project you can make in under an hour. I love how they bring that farmhouse-style vibe to fall decorating. They pair perfectly with other natural crafts, like my DIY paper moths and DIY paper leaves, and they look amazing whether you hang them indoors or outside under the porch lights.
Whether you want a farmhouse-style decoration or a kid-friendly classroom project, this step-by-step guide will show you how to make your own corn husk bats and how to decorate with them.
Materials you’ll need to make corn husk bats
If you have a corn field close to you at the end of the growing season, then you can make this project for almost free! That is always a bonus!
Step-by-step instructions on how to make corn husk bats
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It’s no secret that I love Halloween. It’s so much fun to play pretend. And I have always liked making my own costumes and Halloween decor. I’m, however, no fan of all the plastic decor and costumes that you can buy everywhere. Making your own is more sustainable, fun, and gives you something unique that nobody else has.
When I saw some corn husk bats on Pinterest without a tutorial, I knew that I wanted to come up with my own version and to share that fun Halloween craft with you!
Let’s get started…
Corn husk bat video tutorial
Before I get started with my step-by-step instructions, I want to share my video tutorial with you. As always, it’s a good idea to watch that first so you can see exactly what my hands were doing. It is definitely helpful. If it doesn’t load for you here on my blog, then you can head on over to my YouTube Channel and watch it there instead. Or just give me a follow on YouTube
Music: Acid Jazz by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Step 1: Dyeing and preparing your corn husks
I am using Rit Dye to color the corn husks black. They have a great blog post about dyed corn husks that explains the best way to dye corn husks.
I dyed mine according to the instructions on the back of the Rit dye bottle. Soaking the corn husks for 30 minutes in the hot, black-colored water was enough to get a deep black color.
When working with corn husks, you always have to make sure that the husks are soaked before using them. This softens them and makes them workable. Pat them dry before starting your project!
Step 2: Shaping the bat’s head and body
- Pick some smaller strips of corn husks and gather them at the wide ends as pictured in images 1 and 2.
- Cut a piece of black cord and tie it around the gathered wide ends of the corn husks. (images 3 and 4)
- Now fold the corn husks over the tied cord and downwards. (image 5)
- You can either tie the corn husks off like this to shape the head of the bat (image 6), or you can stuff the head a bit more, which I’m showing as well in the next steps. One makes a smaller head, and the other version makes a slightly larger head. It depends on what look you like better. I tried both ways.
- Or you can shape the head around a mold like a styrofoam ball, as I am showing you in the next steps. I happen to have some left from my combed macrame wall hanging. (images 7 and 8) Use the scissors to poke a larger hole into the ball and then insert the gathered and tied-off corn husks into the hole.
- Now simply fold the corn husks over the styrofoam ball. (images 9 to 13)
- Gather the corn husks with one hand below the styrofoam ball to create a neck under the head. (image 14)
- Cut another piece of black cord and tie it tightly around the gathered husks. (images 15 and 16) Trim any husks that are sticking out oddly.
Step 3: Forming the bat’s feet
You don’t have to use a stick to form the bat’s feet. I find it helpful, though!
- Place the bat’s body as pictured with the head facing downward. Separate the corn husk ends into two sections. (image 1) Also, cut two pieces of black cord.
- Take a chopstick or other stick and fold one side of the two bunched corn husks over the chopstick. (images 2 and 3)
- Use one of the two black cords to tie the folded-over corn husk ends to the stick. Trim the ends. (images 4 and 5)
- Repeat the same thing with the other foot. (images 6 and 7). And now you have a bat body hanging off the chopstick.
Step 4: Adding the bat’s ears
- Tear two identical strips of corn husk as I’m showing below. (image 1 and 2)
- Cross those two pieces and place them behind the bat’s head. (image 3)
- Use a black piece of string to tie the two crossed pieces to the back of the bat’s head. (image 4)
- Use sharp scissors to cut the shape of the bat’s ears (image 5) and then cut the remaining pieces of corn husk on the bat’s body. (image 6)
In image 7, you can see the finished bat’s body with feet and ears hanging on a stick without wings.
Step 5: Tying on and folding the bat’s wings
- Pick two large pieces of corn husk that don’t have any tears or holes in them. (image 1)
- Place them around the bat’s body with the narrow part of the corn husks right below the bat’s head. (images 2 and 3) Make sure that there is an opening where the bat’s face would be.
- You can use your one hand to gather the corn husks around the bat’s neck tightly. (image 4)
- Cut a piece of black cord and tie it tightly around the corn husks and neck. (image 5)
- Now the wings/corn husks are ready to get folded down. Turn the bat body around and have the bat’s face looking forward. Fold both corn husks down so it looks like the bat is wearing a black cape. (images 6, 7, and 8)
- Remove the chop stick by gently sliding it out of the feet. (image 9)
The instructions are continued below the image…
- Fold the bat wings to overlap like I am showing you. Then use a clothing pin or pinning needles to keep the wings in place. (images 10, 11, and 12)
- Most likely, the feet will be hidden under the wings. I wanted them to be visible, though. You could skip this step if you like the look of hidden feet and simply thread a ribbon through the feet. And hang the bat like that.
I chose to trim the bat wings as pictured in the images 14 and 15. After that, I had to refold the wings and pin them again. I let the bat dry overnight, and then the pins can be removed again because the dry corn husks keep their shape. - If for some reason your bat isn’t keeping its shape, you can add some hot glue to the dried husks. I didn’t have to do that.
Step 6: Optional add-on details like teeth and eyes
You can add eyes like googly eyes or teeth as well. I like the idea of cutting rice corns in half and gluing them onto the face to look like teeth.
Tips for Making Corn Husk Bats Last Longer
- Store them in a dry box wrapped in paper towels.
- Spray lightly with matte sealer if using outdoors.
- If wings lose shape, re-soak and re-pin.
Pin this tutorial with the image below to save for Halloween!
Photos of finished corn husk bats in my house
I thought these cute little bats would be a perfect addition to my fairy light branches that I made several years ago. One year I added paper leaves. And wrote a tutorial about how to make paper leaves too. I also added, DIY paper moths. You should check out those projects. I included templates for you to use.
The following year, I only added the paper moths and no leaves.
And this year I’m adding the corn husk bats!
The other bats are hanging from the branches with floral wire because it was easier to thread through the feet than cord.
If you like DIY bat decorations then you might also like my tutorial about how to make a macrame bat.
And here are some of the bats hanging on my fireplace mantel.
Creative ways to use your corn husk bats
- String them up on a long piece of cord to create a garland for a fireplace mantel.
- Use Command strips to hang the corn husk bats in a row from your crown molding, curtain rods, or door frames.
- Hang them on branches in a vase or flower pot, the way I did for a natural rustic fall decor display.
- Add the corn husk bats to a fall or Halloween wreath.
- Outdoor porch displays: weatherproof your spooky bats with a protective spray and hang them on your front porch.
- You can also hang the bats on a chandelier or light fixture over your dining table or kitchen island, which is perfect for Halloween parties.
Frequently asked questions about corn husk crafts
What is the story behind corn husk crafts, specifically corn husk dolls?
Corn husk crafts have been around for centuries. Native American communities first shaped dried husks into dolls, charms, and ceremonial figures — often tied to stories and traditions. Later, European settlers and enslaved Africans adopted the practice, crafting their own faceless figures.
In the early 1900s, the tradition saw a revival in the Appalachian region, where simple toys evolved into folk art. Some makers even patented their designs. Learn more about the history of corn husk dolls.
Can you buy finished corn husk bats?
Yes, if you don’t like the process of crafting your own corn husk bats, you can find them online at places like Etsy. Check out these stores below, which have beautiful handcrafted corn husk bats for sale. (the images take you to the source)
How long do corn husk crafts last?
These bats can last for many seasons if kept dry and stored properly. The husks can turn brittle over time, so always handle them carefully. I’d suggest that you gently wrap them in paper towels and stack them inside a box like that.
What else can I make with corn husks besides bats?
You can also try making corn husk witches or corn husk dolls/harvest dolls, and I am showing you some examples below.
More of my DIY Halloween decorations, crafts, and DIY Halloween costumes
So that’s it for today! Do you have any ideas what I should be or could be making next? Also, if you try making these corn husk bats, tag me on Instagram or send me an email. I’d love to see how yours turn out!
Tschüß,
Materials
- dried corn husks
- black string
- black fabric dye
- plastic gloves
- metal pot and metal spoon
- black towel or old rag
- chop sticks
- Clothing pins or pinning needles
- optional: styrofoam ball or wood bead with a large center hole
- optional: googly eyes or rice corns for bat teeth
Instructions
- Preparing Your Corn Husks
I am using Rit Dye to color the corn husks black. They have a great blog post about dyed corn husks that explains the best way to dye corn husks.
I dyed mine according to the instructions on the back of the Rit dye bottle. Soaking the corn husks for 30 minutes in the hot, black-colored water was enough to get a deep black color. When working with corn husks, you always have to make sure that the husks are soaked before using them. This softens them and makes them workable. Pat them dry before starting your project! - Shaping the bat’s head and body
Pick some smaller strips of corn husks and gather them at the wide ends as pictured in images 1 and 2.
Cut a piece of black cord and tie it around the gathered wide ends of corn husks. (images 3 and 4)
Now fold the corn husks over the tied cord and downwards. (image 5)
You can either tie the corn husks off like this to shape the head of the bat (image 6), or you can stuff the head a bit more, which I’m showing as well in the next steps. One makes a smaller head and the other version makes a slightly larger head. It depends on what look you like better. I tried both ways.Or you can shape the head around a mold like a styrofoam ball, as I am showing you in the next steps. I happen to have some left from my combed macrame wall hanging. (images 7 and 8) Use the scissors to poke a larger hole into the ball and then insert the gathered and tied-off corn husks into the hole.
Now simply fold the corn husks over the styrofoam ball. (images 9 to 13)
Gather the corn husks with one hand below the styrofoam ball to create a neck under the head. (image 14)
Cut another piece of black cord and tie it tightly around the gathered husks. (images 15 and 16) Trim any husks that are sticking out oddly. - Forming the bat’s feet
You don’t have to use a stick to form the bat’s feet. I find it helpful, though!
Place the bat’s body as pictured with the head facing downward. Separate the corn husk ends into two sections. (image 1) Also, cut two pieces of black cord.
Take a chopstick or other stick and fold one side of the two bunched corn husks over the chopstick. (images 2 and 3)
Use one of the two black cords to tie the folded-over corn husk ends to the stick. Trim the ends. (images 4 and 5)
Repeat the same thing with the other foot. (images 6 and 7). And now you have a bat body hanging off the chopstick. - Adding the bat’s ears
Tear two identical strips of corn husk as I’m showing below. (image 1 and 2)
Cross those two pieces and place them behind the bat’s head. (image 3)
Use a black piece of string to tie the two crossed pieces to the back of the bat’s head. (image 4)
Use sharp scissors to cut the shape of the bat’s ears (image 5) and then cut the remaining pieces of corn husk on the bat’s body. (image 6)
In image 7, you can see the finished bat’s body with feet and ears hanging on a stick without wings. - Tying on and folding the bat’s wings
Pick two large pieces of corn husk that don’t have any tears or holes in them. (image 1)
Place them around the bat’s body with the narrow part of the corn husks right below the bat’s head. (images 2 and 3) Make sure that there is an opening where the bat’s face would be.
You can use your one hand to gather the corn husks around the bat’s neck tightly. (image 4)
Cut a piece of black cord and tie it tightly around the corn husks and neck. (image 5)
Now the wings/corn husks are ready to get folded down. Turn the bat body around and have the bat’s face looking forward. Fold both corn husks down so it looks like the bat is wearing a black cape. (images 6, 7, and 8)
Remove the chop stick by gently sliding it out of the feet. (image 9)Fold the bat wings to overlap like I am showing you. Then use a clothing pin or pinning needles to keep the wings in place. (images 10, 11, and 12)
Most likely, the feet will be hidden under the wings. I wanted them to be visible, though. You could skip this step if you like the look of hidden feet and simply thread a ribbon through the feet. And hang the bat like that. I chose to trim the bat wings as pictured in the images 14 and 15. After that I had to refold the wings and pin them again. I let the bat dry over night and then the pins can be removed again because the dry corn husks keep their shape.
If for some reason your bat isn’t keeping its shape, you can add some hot glue to the dried husks. I didn’t have to do that. - Optional add on details like teeth and eyes
You can add eyes like googly eyes or teeth as well. I like the idea of cutting rice corns in half and gluing them onto the face to look like teeth.
Notes
Tips for Making Corn Husk Bats Last Longer:
- Store them in a dry box wrapped in paper towels.
- Spray lightly with matte sealer if using outdoors.
- If wings lose shape, re-soak and re-pin.
