How to Draw a Vampire Bat (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this vampire bat step by step with a pencil and eraser. It takes about 15 minutes and works for ages 5 and up. Follow the steps below, or draw along with the video. The page comes from Kevin Coulston’s book How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween.

- Step-by-step drawing
- Ages 5+
- Grades K–2
- Easy
- About 15 min with the video
You’ll need
- Pencil and eraser
- Paper, or the printed page
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
You’ll practice
- Breaking a drawing into simple shapes
- Following steps in order
- Adding your own details
How to Draw A Vampire Bat – A Cute and Easy Halloween Drawing Tutorial for Kids
Just in time for Halloween, I’ve released a brand new drawing video that shows kids how to draw a Vampire Bat—a cute, cartoon-style character straight from my latest book How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween! This friendly little bat isn’t scary—it’s silly, expressive, and packed with Halloween charm. If your kids love Halloween and art, this tutorial is a perfect way to combine both.
In this post, I’ll talk about the new video, the How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween book it’s based on, and how this fun Halloween project fits into my growing Art Books for Kids series—which now includes more than 80 titles.
About the Book: How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
This cute little bat is one of 50 original Halloween-themed drawings from my latest release, How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween. The book is filled with easy step-by-step lessons that teach kids how to draw Skeletons, Witches, Jack-o’-Lanterns, Trick-or-Treaters, Werewolves, Candy Monsters, Mummies, Zombies, and of course—Vampire Bats!
Each page shows the drawing process broken down into six simple steps, so kids can follow along easily and see their drawings come together piece by piece. The goal is to help kids learn how to draw using a method that feels approachable, fun, and creative.
When your child learns how to draw a Vampire Bat using the steps in the book, they’re not just copying lines—they’re learning the process of building characters from simple shapes. It’s the same technique I use when designing all the characters in my books.
All the art in How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween is hand-drawn by me, from the first sketch to the final line. I want every page to feel like a creative conversation between the artist and the student—simple enough to follow, but inspiring enough to make kids want to keep drawing long after they’ve finished.
Also Available in Trace and Grid Editions
If your child enjoys tracing or using a grid system to draw, this spooky Halloween theme is also available in two additional editions:
- Trace Then Color: Spooky Stuff for Halloween – Perfect for younger artists who are still developing their fine motor skills. Kids can trace over the same cute Halloween characters from the How to Draw version, then color them in for extra fun.
- Draw by Grid: Spooky Stuff for Halloween – Designed for older kids who enjoy a little more structure. The grid method helps them focus on proportion and placement, making it a great way to improve their skills while keeping the art experience enjoyable.
Both editions feature the same fun characters—including the Vampire Bat—and offer different ways to approach drawing, depending on age and ability. No matter which version they use, kids can still learn how to draw a Vampire Bat in a way that feels comfortable and rewarding.
Why Kids Love Drawing Bats
Bats are one of the most iconic Halloween creatures—but they’re also one of the most fun to draw! They have interesting shapes, wide wings, and playful expressions that make them perfect for cartoon-style art.
When kids learn how to draw a Vampire Bat, they get to explore creativity without fear of making mistakes. Maybe their bat ends up with huge fangs, or maybe it looks more like a tiny, chubby trick-or-treater with wings. That’s part of the fun—every drawing becomes unique.
In my books, I always focus on making spooky characters feel friendly and inviting rather than scary. The Vampire Bat is a perfect example—it has big round eyes, a silly grin, and just a hint of Halloween mischief. Kids can personalize it however they want, adding fun accessories or different facial expressions.
That’s one of the best parts of learning how to draw a Vampire Bat—there’s no wrong way to do it.
How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
About the Author
Hi, I’m Kevin Coulston, the author and illustrator behind First Art Books and the Art Books for Kids series. I’ve created more than 80 drawing activity books for kids, including How to Draw, Trace Then Color, and Draw by Grid editions that cover themes like animals, monsters, robots, unicorns, mermaids, dinosaurs, and more.
All the artwork in my books is hand-drawn by me, from the very first pencil sketch to the finished line art you see in print. I love designing characters that kids will enjoy drawing—characters that are full of energy, personality, and fun.
When I created the Vampire Bat character, I wanted it to feel spooky but friendly. Something that captured the Halloween vibe without being too scary for younger artists. I think kids will love learning how to draw a Vampire Bat because it combines cute and creepy in the best possible way.
Every book I make has the same goal—to help kids build confidence in their creativity while having fun.
The Art Books for Kids Series
The How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween book is part of my Art Books for Kids series, which now includes over 80 titles. Each book focuses on a unique theme and features fun, kid-friendly art designed to teach through doing.
The series includes:
- How to Draw books that show step-by-step lessons.
- Trace Then Color books that combine tracing and coloring activities.
- Draw by Grid books that teach how to use grids to create accurate drawings.
Whether your child is just starting out or already loves to draw, there’s a book in the series that fits their level and interests.
And for Halloween, How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween has quickly become a favorite—especially with videos like this one showing how to draw a Vampire Bat in real time.

Watch the Video: How to Draw A Vampire Bat
In the new tutorial, I’ll show you how to draw a Vampire Bat from start to finish, using simple shapes and easy-to-follow steps. Like all my drawing videos, it starts with the basics—a circle for the head, triangles for the ears, and a few curved lines for the wings. Then we add personality with big cartoon eyes, a mischievous smile, and tiny fangs.
The lesson is designed for kids ages 5 and up, and it’s simple enough for beginners while still offering fun details for kids who already love to draw. As I guide viewers through each step, I talk about shapes, proportion, and simple cartoon design techniques that make drawing both easy and exciting.
By the end of the video, your child will have a finished Vampire Bat drawing ready to color—and a new boost of confidence in their art skills. Learning how to draw a Vampire Bat is a great way for kids to celebrate Halloween creatively, while improving their focus and hand-eye coordination at the same time.
And like every video in my series, this one is based entirely on my own hand-drawn art—no digital shortcuts or AI tools. Every line, shape, and expression comes from my sketchbook, just like the characters in the book it’s based on.
Free Video Tutorial:
Start Drawing Your Own Vampire Bat Today
If your kids are looking for a fun art project this Halloween, this new video tutorial is the perfect place to start. It’s quick, simple, and full of creative inspiration. All they need is a pencil, paper, and a little imagination.
By following the step-by-step instructions in the video, kids will learn how to draw a Vampire Bat that’s cute, expressive, and ready to color. Once they’re done, they can explore the How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween book for even more characters to draw—from Mummies to Werewolves to Candy Monsters.
Halloween is the perfect time for creativity, and learning how to draw a Vampire Bat is a fun way to celebrate the season with art.
Draw it 3 ways
Every FirstArtBooks theme comes in three formats. Trace it, draw it step by step, or copy it square by square: the more ways kids draw a character, the better they know it.
- How to Draw
Draw it step by stepYou’re on this pageSee all How to Draw books - Trace Then Color
Vampire Coloring PageA close cousin · Ages 3+See all Trace Then Color books - Draw by GridDraw by Grid booksCopy it square by squareNo free page of this one yet. See the Draw by Grid books (ages 7+)
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a pumpkin patch at night.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
The biggest pumpkin started to wiggle…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your vampire bat a name and a job. What makes it happy, and what makes it grumpy? Write two or three sentences.
Print a draw-and-write sheet: a box for the drawing and lines for the story. Primary lines (K–2) · Regular lines (grades 2–5)
Want to make it a whole story? Try the comic story starter or fold a mini-book in Story Studio.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
- It turned out too scary for a little sibling.
- Round shapes and big eyes keep it friendly. Add a smile or rosy cheeks.
- The outline gets lost when you color.
- Go over your final lines with a black marker before coloring, so the character stands out at night.
- The costume details are crowded.
- Draw the big shape first (the hat, the sheet, the pumpkin), then add stripes, bandages or stitches.
- Pressing hard from the very first step.
- Use light, sketchy lines first. You can erase them easily and go over the lines you keep at the end.
More in 10 common drawing mistakes kids make.
Talk about it
For the grown-up: ask one or two of these while your child draws. There are no wrong answers.
- Is this character spooky or friendly? What would make it less scary?
- What would this character dress up as for Halloween?
- What shapes can you find in your drawing?
- What would you change if you drew it again tomorrow?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this drawing lesson
What age is this vampire bat drawing lesson for?
Ages 5 and up (about grades K to 2). Younger kids can follow along with a grown-up, one step at a time.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes, including time to pause the video. Kids who add their own details or a background often keep going longer.
What supplies do you need?
Pencil and eraser; paper, or the printed page; crayons, markers or colored pencils.
What size does it print?
Nothing needs printing: draw along on any paper, Letter or A4.
Can kids draw the vampire bat without printing the page?
Yes. Draw on any paper and copy one step at a time from the screen, or pause the video after each step.
For teachers: grade, timing and standards
Grades K–2, about 15 minutes. Step-by-step drawing, easy level. The video does the teaching: press play and let students draw along.
National Core Arts Standards (visual arts)
- VA:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work: students build drawing skills by following a sequence of steps.
- VA:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work: students add their own details, expressions and color to finish the character.
See every lesson by standard, plus the math in grid drawing, on the arts standards map.
Copies: print as many as your class needs. More in the teacher resources, the Halloween hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Christmas Drawing Pack
10 printable Christmas pages to draw, trace, color and decorate, sent with your welcome email. After that, Kevin’s newsletter brings new free pages and book news.
Take the idea into a book
Want more characters to draw, trace or color? Explore these related books and see which approach fits your next creative session.

Trace Then Color: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 15 free Halloween drawing lessons and pages →
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