Bats are one of the easiest Halloween animals to dress a child as, because the whole character lives in two places: the ears and the wings. Get those right and almost any outfit underneath reads as a bat from across the street. The thirty bats below start from clothes most kids already own, plus felt or fleece wings, a headband and a little washable face paint. I've written each one with comfort in mind so your child can run, sit and grab candy without stopping to fix anything. Some are classic and a little spooky, some are bright and silly, and a few are built for cold nights, rain, school rules or babies who won't tolerate a headband.
Cutting Bat Wings That Open With the Arms
Nearly every costume below uses the same wing, so it's worth getting it right once. Have your child stand with arms straight out and measure from wrist to wrist across the back. That measurement is the top edge of the wing. The bottom edge sits at the hip for small children and around the knee for older ones; any longer and it ends up under their feet on the stairs.
- Fold your felt or fleece in half and draw half the wing against the fold, so both sides come out identical.
- Trace the scallops around a dinner plate or a bowl. Three or four scallops per side look like a bat; many more than that starts to look like a cloud.
- Felt holds a crisp edge and doesn't fray, but it tears at stress points. Fleece is warmer and stretches, so it suits active kids and cold nights.
- Attach the wing at the center back of the shirt and at each wrist. A soft elastic loop around the wrist, or a few stitches into the cuff, is what makes the wing lift when the arm does.
I sew rather than glue wherever the wing meets the shirt. Glue lets go when a knit stretches, and hot glue turns brittle on a cold night. If you really can't sew, safety pins placed on the inside of the shirt, where small fingers can't reach them, hold better than any glue will.
1. Classic Black Bat Costume
This is the one I make first when a child just says 'a bat.' A black long-sleeve shirt and black leggings or joggers form the base, and scalloped felt wings attach under the sleeves so they spread when your child lifts their arms. I stitch the wing to the sleeve seam rather than gluing it, because glue on a knit peels the first time the arm stretches. Felt triangle ears on a soft headband, a tiny black nose and a few short whiskers in washable paint keep the face friendly. Black sneakers or slip-resistant boots, an optional little tail at the waistband and a silver moon patch on the chest finish it. Keep the wing hem above the ankle so nobody trips on a front step.
2. Cute Bat Costume With Tutu
The tutu version suits a child who likes to twirl. A fitted black top, opaque tights and a layered tulle skirt give plenty of movement, and lightweight fabric wings run from the shoulders to the wrists so they flutter rather than flap. Feel the tulle before you buy it: the stiff, crunchy kind scratches the backs of the legs within an hour, while the softer tulle sold for dancewear drapes and doesn't itch. Top it with a bat-ear headband, pigtails, or a black beanie on a cold night, and add rosy cheeks, a small heart nose and faint whiskers in washable makeup. Ballet flats are fine indoors, but switch to sneakers for the walk outside. A purple ribbon belt or a scatter of silver stars on the skirt adds a little color.
3. Purple Bat Costume
Purple keeps the Halloween feel while giving a child who finds black boring something to get excited about. Use a purple hoodie or long-sleeve shirt with matching leggings, cut wide wings from a light purple fabric and outline the scallops in black felt or fabric tape so the bat shape still reads in the dark. A black headband with purple inner ears ties the colors together. For the face, a purple nose, soft black whiskers and a few silver dots on the cheeks. Black sneakers give contrast and handle a parade, and a light moon-shaped bag is a prop that also carries candy. On a cold night I put a thermal layer underneath instead of a coat on top, because a coat flattens the wings and hides the whole costume.
4. Pink Bat Costume
Pink is for the child who wants a bat that is cheerful rather than scary, and I'd never argue them out of it. Start with a pink sweatshirt and leggings and add black or deep-pink wings; fleece wings are warmer, felt holds a crisper scallop. Black ribbon sewn along the wing edge and around the cuffs gives the definition that pink-on-pink otherwise loses. A pink ear headband with contrasting inner panels, hair in buns or braids, a small pink nose, rosy cheeks and a touch of child-safe shimmer do the rest. Wear pink sneakers or black ankle boots depending on the weather, and carry a heart-shaped bucket that doesn't steal attention from the wings.
5. Brown Fruit Bat Costume
Fruit bats have round ears and a warm brown coat, which makes this one of the cuddliest versions here and a good pick for younger children who hate anything stiff. A chocolate-brown hoodie, matching pants and tan or rust shoes form the base. The rounded ears sew straight onto the hood, and oversized brown wings with lighter panels between the wing lines carry the shape. Fleece or jersey moves with the arms far better than felt on this one. A dark nose and soft brown cheek shading are all the makeup it needs. The fruit is what tells people which bat it is, so give your child a light plush banana, mango or orange, or stitch felt fruit onto a reusable treat bag.
6. Gray Bat Costume
Gray looks closer to a real bat than black does, and it's lighter than an all-black outfit. Pair a charcoal hoodie with mid-gray joggers or leggings, attach dark-gray wings under the arms and mark the wing sections with pale stitching or fabric paint. Add pointed ears on the hood, a small fabric tail at the back, a gray nose with lightly shaded cheeks and short whiskers. Gray sneakers with black socks hold up on a long walk, and a small moon pouch holds treats. I like reflective tape around the wing edges here: it looks silvery at night, and it makes a gray-clad child visible to drivers, which a dark costume otherwise isn't.
7. White Fantasy Bat Costume
A white bat is unexpected and a little magical, but be honest with yourself about mud. Use a white sweatshirt or soft tunic, white leggings and silver sneakers, with wide white wings in fleece or felt outlined in pale-gray ribbon. Tall bat ears on a white headband carry the silhouette, and long hair goes into a smooth ponytail or two buns so it doesn't tangle in the wings. Child-safe makeup gives a silver nose, faint gray whiskers and a few pearly highlights near the eyes. A small silver moon wand is fine if the edges are rounded and it's light. For outdoor wear pick fabrics that survive the washing machine, because the hem will be gray by the third doorstep. Reflective stars add sparkle and visibility at once.
8. Rainbow Bat Costume
The rainbow bat is a daytime costume at heart, made for school celebrations and parties where bright color gets noticed. A plain black shirt and leggings sit underneath, and the wings are built from panels in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, in that order, so the spectrum is easy to read. I sew the panels into one piece first and then cut the scalloped edge, which is far neater than trying to match six separate scallops. Rainbow inner ears on a black headband, ribbons in a ponytail or bun, a black nose, rosy cheeks and a few rainbow dots at the temples finish the head. Black sneakers calm the wings down, and a cloud-shaped treat bag fits the fantasy. Keep the wings fabric, not cardboard, so they fold when your child sits, walks through a door or joins a classroom activity.
9. Blue Night Bat Costume
Navy reads softer than black and lets silver decoration show up properly. Dress your child in a navy hoodie and matching joggers or leggings, then add midnight-blue wings with small silver stars, crescent moons and stitched wing lines. Sew soft ears onto the hood so there's no headband to lose. A blue wash around the nose and silver freckles across the cheeks in washable makeup, with navy sneakers or black boots to keep the palette to two colors. A star-shaped pouch works as prop and treat bag. Reflective star stickers help outdoors, but stickers rarely stay put on fleece for a whole night, so I tack each one with a couple of stitches. Keep everything on the wings flat so they stay light and fold easily.
10. Green Bat Costume
Green turns the bat into something closer to a friendly little monster. Choose a bright-green sweatshirt and leggings, dark-green felt wings with black scalloped edges, and matching ears on a headband or straight onto the hood. A green nose, light freckles and raised black eyebrows give a mischievous face; stop there so it stays cute rather than frightening. Black sneakers and green socks carry the color down. A plush bug, or a treat bag decorated with felt insects, is the joke prop. If it's going to school, I make the wings detachable with hook-and-loop tabs at the shoulders, so your child can take them off to sit and press them back on for the parade.
11. Orange Bat Costume
Orange gives you seasonal color without anything dark or scary. Pair an orange hoodie with black leggings and orange or black sneakers, cut black fabric wings and line each section with orange ribbon or fabric paint. Black ears with orange centers sewn onto the hood can't slip the way a headband does. A small black nose, orange cheek dots and curved whiskers make an expressive face. A pumpkin bucket suits the color, but I'd stop there so the bat stays the main idea. Black fingerless costume gloves suggest wing tips while leaving the fingers free for candy wrappers. Outdoors, layer a warm shirt underneath and keep the wings to knee length.
12. Sparkly Silver Bat Costume
Silver catches porch lights and headlights, so this one is as practical as it is pretty. Use a charcoal shirt, black leggings and metallic-silver sneakers or shoes with silver accents, with black wings edged in silver ribbon, reflective trim or securely sewn fabric stars. A black headband with silver inner ears carries the shine up to the face. A little child-safe silver face paint on the nose and temples with black whiskers is enough. I keep loose glitter well away from the eyes, because it travels and ends up in them by the end of the night. A silver moon bag holds candy, and a black thermal shirt underneath handles the cold. The reflective details make it a strong choice for an evening parade.
13. Glow-In-The-Dark Bat Costume
Glow-in-the-dark tape needs light to charge, so leave the costume under a lamp for a while before heading out; reflective tape works the other way, shining back when headlights hit it. This version uses both on a plain black base: a black sweatshirt and joggers, closed-toe sneakers, and soft fabric wings with the scalloped edges and wing lines outlined in tape so the shape shows when the arms open. Small reflective patches go on the ear headband, with a black nose and pale cheek dots in washable paint. Glow bracelets only if they fit snugly and don't slide down over the hand. A reflective treat bag adds visibility at knee height. Bend, fold and stretch every decorated piece before Halloween; tape that's going to lift will show you right away.
14. Skeleton Bat Costume
This is the spookiest bat here that still stays kid-friendly, because the bones are bold cartoon shapes, not anatomy. Start with a black long-sleeve top and pants, then add white felt or fabric-paint bone lines across the shirt, sleeves and wings. I sketch the bones in chalk first while the child is wearing the shirt, since lines that look right on a flat shirt often land in the wrong place on a body. Black bat ears, a white nose tip and a few pale lines near the eyes in washable paint. Sneakers with white soles echo the bones, and a black-and-white bucket is the only accessory it needs. Soft wing fabric keeps it flexible. For school, removable wings and a minimal face mean less scrubbing at the sink afterwards.
15. Vampire Bat Costume
This one borrows from a storybook vampire and swaps the full wings for a cape, which is my answer when arm-mounted wings would be too wide for a crowded party. Black pants, a white shirt and a red or burgundy vest go under a short black cape with a scalloped wing edge that stops well above the ankles. Up top, a bat-ear headband, neat hair and a small red bow tie. Washable makeup gives a pale complexion, arched brows and tiny painted fangs near the lips; painted fangs are kinder than plastic ones, which most kids spit out before the first house. Keep the face playful. Finish with black sneakers, loafers or flat boots that fit properly, and a red-lined treat bag.
16. Cozy Hoodie Bat Costume
On a properly cold night this is the bat I'd make, because the costume is the coat. Use a black fleece hoodie and insulated black joggers, with soft scalloped wings sewn from the wrists down to the side seams so your child can spread their arms. Small ears go on the hood and a fabric tail at the lower back. Cold faces don't love makeup, so a black nose and two short whiskers are plenty. Warm socks with black boots or sneakers keep feet comfortable, and reflective tape along the wing edges helps on dark streets. Since nothing goes over the top, no jacket ends up hiding the bat halfway through trick-or-treating.
17. Bat Pajama Costume
Bat pajamas are the clever choice for a younger child, since the costume rolls straight into bedtime. Use a black one-piece pajama suit or a matching top and pajama pants, and attach removable felt wings across the back and wrists with child-friendly fasteners. A soft fabric hood with rounded ears means no hard headband. A felt belly patch in gray or purple breaks up all that black, and a tiny nose and rosy cheeks in washable makeup are enough for the face. Nonslip slippers work indoors and sneakers outside, with a plush moon or star to hold. Take every attachment off before sleep, so only ordinary pajamas go to bed.
18. No-Sew Bat Costume
For a costume you need by tonight, felt and everyday clothes are enough. Start with a plain black sweatshirt, black leggings or sweatpants and comfortable sneakers. Fold a large piece of felt in half and cut both scalloped wings at once so they match, then fasten them across the back and under the arms with removable fabric fasteners. Felt doesn't fray, so the cut edge needs no finishing at all. Wrap felt triangles around a basic headband for ears, add a felt oval belly patch, and draw the nose and whiskers in washable paint. A black tote with a silver moon collects treats. Tug every attachment before you leave the house, keep the wings above the knee and leave both hands completely free for doors, the bag and snacks.
19. Cardboard Wing Bat Costume
Cardboard gives the most dramatic wingspan on this list and the most trouble in a crowd, so I keep it for photos, indoor parties and short walks. Dress your child in black with sturdy black sneakers. Cut symmetrical wings from thin recycled cardboard, smooth or tape every edge, and cover the front with black paper or fabric before painting on gray wing lines. Wide elastic shoulder loops let it sit like a backpack, and I glue a second layer of card where the straps attach, since that is where the board creases first. Keep the ear headband and face paint simple, choose a compact treat bag that won't snag, and make sure the wings don't stretch beyond your child's comfortable arm span.
20. Moving Wing Bat Costume
Kids who like to perform love wings that rise as they move. A black long-sleeve shirt and flexible pants go under lightweight fabric wings that run from the back to each wrist in several loose folds, opening as the arms lift. Ribbon or fabric strips along the folds mark the wing sections. A soft ear headband, black nose and cheerful cheek dots keep the face cute. Expect a lot of flapping and spinning, so nonslip sneakers matter, and a waist pouch beats a handheld bucket. Have your child raise and lower their arms fully at a fitting. If the wing pulls tight across the shoulders, add width at the back, because a child who can't drop their arms is miserable within the hour.
21. Toddler Bat Costume
Toddlers need a costume a grown-up can manage one-handed. A black cotton romper or sweatsuit with comfortable pants is the base, and short fleece wings sit across the back only. Nothing ties to the wrists, so there's no tangling while they crawl, walk or sit. Small padded ears on a soft hood and a gray felt belly panel give the bat its face and contrast. If they fuss about face paint, skip it; a single washable dot on the nose is enough. Flexible black sneakers or nonslip booties and a plush star for photos finish it. Keep the wings narrow enough to pass through doorways, car seats and crowded rooms without bending against people.
22. Baby Bat Costume
For a baby, warmth and softness count more than detail, but the wing shape should still show. Dress them in a black footed romper or bodysuit with comfortable pants, then add a separate little vest with tiny fabric wings sewn firmly across the back, so the wings come off without undressing the baby. A soft cotton cap with padded ears replaces any band or fastener on the head. Skip makeup and look for a romper with an embroidered nose or bat face. Black booties keep the feet covered, and a gray belly panel or purple wing lining adds contrast in photos. Everything decorative stays flat and stitched, never glued, because anything that can be pulled off can end up in a mouth. Remove the wings before the crib, stroller harness, carrier or car seat.
23. School-Friendly Bat Costume
Schools want costumes children can sit and work in, so this one is built small. A black polo shirt or sweatshirt, black pants and regular school sneakers go under a short bat-wing cape that attaches at the shoulders and ends near the waist. The ear headband carries the character and comes off during lessons. Keep makeup to a black nose and two cheek dots, or skip it if the school limits face paint. A decorated lunch tote doubles as the accessory. Leave out long tails, floor-length capes and wings attached to the wrists. I always read the school's costume note before sewing anything, since many schools ban masks and pretend weapons, and that one letter decides more than any style choice.
24. Rainy Weather Bat Costume
Rain doesn't have to bury the bat under bulky rain gear if you build the costume on the rain gear itself. A black hooded raincoat, dark waterproof pants and black rain boots form the base. Short water-resistant wings fasten across the back of the coat with removable fasteners, and small padded ears sit on the hood, small enough to stay upright when damp. Water-resistant face crayons handle light rain; in a real downpour, skip the face entirely. A covered bucket or waterproof crossbody pouch keeps candy dry, and reflective strips on the wings show up in wet headlights. Leave cardboard, paper decorations and long fabric at home, because they turn heavy, soggy and slippery once wet.
25. Warm Weather Bat Costume
On a warm evening the goal is the bat shape with as little fabric as possible. Use a black cotton T-shirt with light shorts or leggings and supportive sneakers, and run thin jersey or mesh wings from sleeve to side seam so air still moves around the arms. A fabric ear headband is cooler than a hood or full hat. Keep face paint to a small black nose and short whiskers, because sweat makes heavier paint slide. A waist pouch or crossbody bag keeps hands free, and black socks with athletic shoes handle the walking. Skip thick fleece, layered capes and plastic masks; a hot child in a mask is a child who wants to go home early. Keep the fit loose, with no long fabric near the feet.
26. Flower Bat Costume
This one mixes dark wings with a garden, and it suits a child who can't decide between a bat and a flower fairy. A black top, leggings and black sneakers go under soft black wings carrying flat felt flowers in a few bright colors. Group the flowers near the top edge of each wing; spread them over the whole wing and the scalloped bat outline disappears when the arms open. A floral headband with small bat ears tucked between the blooms, a black nose, rosy cheeks and a few painted petals at one temple make the face. A green leaf-shaped pouch holds treats. Sew the flowers on, because loose artificial blooms stuck on with glue drop off in the first game of tag.
27. Starry Sky Bat Costume
Tiny stars turn a plain bat into a dreamy nighttime costume. Use a navy or black long-sleeve shirt with matching pants, and deep-blue wings scattered with flat silver stars, crescent moons and small white dots. A navy ear headband carries one soft star in the middle. Silver freckles, a dark nose and a little blue shading at the eyes come from washable makeup, and silver sneakers or black shoes with reflective laces finish the feet. Your child can carry a moon-shaped bag or a dark bucket with a few stars. I run the stars from the shoulders out toward the scalloped wing tips so the pattern flows instead of sitting in patches, and I keep every piece light so the wings still bend.
28. Polka Dot Bat Costume
Polka dots swap spooky for cheerful. Choose a solid black sweatshirt, matching leggings and black or white sneakers, with fabric wings covered in large dots and the same fabric inside the bat ears so head and body match. Hair goes in braids or a ponytail, with a small black nose and colored cheek dots in washable paint. A round treat bag can repeat the print without crowding the outfit. Pick one accent color and use it for the socks and the wing trim. Go for big, evenly spaced dots; small ones blur into a gray haze on moving fabric and in photos.
29. Friendly Monster Bat Costume
Here the bat gets a silly face instead of a scary one. Start with a bright purple, blue or green hoodie and matching pants, and attach contrasting black wings with colorful felt spots or stripes. Uneven padded ears, soft fabric eyebrows and large cartoon eyes go on the hood, so the hood itself becomes the face. A washable nose, freckles and one tiny painted fang finish the expression. Sturdy sneakers that pick up the wing color, and a plush bug or a bucket with another cartoon eye, keep the joke going. Avoid hard masks so your child can see, talk and breathe comfortably. Soft shapes and bright colors make this a strong pick for school parties and daytime neighborhood events.
30. Golden Moon Bat Costume
Gold gives the last bat a storybook finish. Dress your child in a black tunic, leggings or fitted joggers, and black sneakers with gold laces, then add wide black wings outlined in gold ribbon with a few flat moons and stars. Gold inner ears on a black headband draw the eye to the face. For makeup, a small gold nose, subtle cheek dots and a thin sweep of shimmer near the eyes, using a child-safe cream rather than loose glitter. A crescent-shaped gold pouch carries candy, and a fitted black shirt underneath adds warmth. Metallic ribbon can be stiff and scratchy along an edge, so choose a soft one, or the wing will rub the wrist all night.
Bat Ears That Survive a Night of Running
Ears are the first thing to fall off, and they're the main thing that tells people your child is a bat and not just someone in a cape. I cut each ear as two layers of felt with a piece of craft foam or stiff interfacing between them, then stitch around the edge. A single layer of felt flops over within an hour. Sewing the ears straight onto a hood is the most secure option of all, and there's no headband pinching behind the ears.
If you do use a headband, pick a wide fabric-covered one rather than thin plastic, which slides off fine hair and digs in behind the ears. Wrap the base of each ear around the band and stitch it closed underneath. A couple of bobby pins through the band into the hair hold it for the walk.
Wings in the Car, at the Door and on the Couch
The part nobody plans for is everything that happens between houses. Wings fastened across the back press into a child in a car seat, and a harness strap should never go over costume pieces, so take them off for the drive and put them back on at the curb. That alone is a good reason to use removable fasteners even on a sewn costume.
- Practice opening a gate and holding a bucket with the wings on at home, so you see what catches before it matters.
- Dark wings need light low down too, where headlights land: a strip of reflective tape on the lower scallops or a small clip-on light on the treat bag.
- Pack a spare safety pin and a few baby wipes for face paint smudges; between them they solve most mid-route problems.
- Afterwards, wash felt pieces by hand in cool water and dry them flat, because felt can shrink and pill in a hot machine.
Let Your Child Pick the Wing Color
Every bat here rests on a wing that opens when the arms lift, ears that stay on, and clothes your child can actually move in. From classic black to rainbow, and from no-sew felt to rain gear, the right version is the one that fits the night you'll have: a short cape for school, reflective trim for dark streets, a soft hood for little ones. Start with clothing your child already likes wearing and build the wings and ears onto it. Then hand over the color decision. A child who picked the purple wings will wear them all evening without a single complaint, and probably for weeks of pretend play after Halloween.
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