Bats might seem spooky in October, but they are actually amazing animals! Their wings are designed much like our hands, with long “fingers” stretched out to help them fly.
Over 500 years ago, inventor and artist Leonardo da Vinci studied bats and birds to design his earliest sketches of flying machines.
Just like da Vinci, your preschoolers can become inventors too as they explore how different wing shapes affect the way things fly.
The Bat Book by Charlotte Milner is a beautifully illustrated nonfiction book that shows children the wonders of bats and their unique wings.
Try This Halloween STEAM Activity for Preschoolers
Invite children to design their own bat wing glider.
You’ll Need:
- Paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- Straws or craft sticks
Here’s How:
- Look at pictures of bat wings. Ask: “What shapes do you notice?”
- Cut or fold paper into different wing shapes (long, wide, or short).
- Tape the wings to a straw or craft stick.
- Test and compare: Which glider flew farthest? Which one spun or wobbled?
Ask your students:
- “If you could invent your own flying machine, what would it look like?”
- “Would you rather fly like a bat, a bird, or a butterfly?”
Teacher Tip
Keep the focus on testing and trying again. Preschoolers don’t need perfect gliders — the joy is in experimenting with wing shapes and discovering how small changes make a big difference.
By exploring how bats fly and imagining their own flying machines, children develop problem-solving, creativity, and curiosity —the heart of play-based STEAM learning.
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