We believe in creating opportunities for children to learn through hands-on activities that are both fun and culturally enriching. One such celebration is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a beautiful Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd to honor loved ones who have passed away. Combining Indigenous traditions and Catholic beliefs, it’s marked by colorful altars, food, music, and artistic expression.
Though centered on death, Día de los Muertos is a joyful celebration of life, family, and legacy. It provides a perfect opportunity for children to explore cultural heritage, emotional growth, and creativity.
At The Kids Point, we believe these activities can help children connect with traditions, build emotional intelligence, and express themselves through creative fun.
Create an Ofrenda (Altar of Remembrance)
One of the central traditions of Día de los Muertos is building an ofrenda, or altar, to honor deceased loved ones. This can be a deeply educational and bonding experience for children. By involving kids in selecting photos, candles, marigolds, and favorite foods of their loved ones, they can better understand the cultural significance of honoring ancestors. It also fosters conversations about family history, remembrance, and the importance of celebrating life and death in a respectful, meaningful way.
What You’ll Need:
- A small table or surface
- Photos of deceased family members or pets
- Marigold flowers (real or paper)
- Candles (LED candles for safety)
- Food offerings (like pan de muerto or fruit)
- Small decorative items that belonged to or represent the deceased
Educational Value:
- Teaches kids about family heritage and storytelling
- Introduces concepts of grief and remembrance in a gentle way
- Encourages empathy and emotional intelligence
Encourage kids to ask questions about the people in the photos and share stories about them. This transforms the activity into a meaningful family dialogue.
Decorate Sugar Skulls (Calaveras)
Sugar skulls, or calaveras, are among the most iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos. They are often ornately decorated and represent departed souls. Decorating these sugar skulls allows children to engage in the vibrant, colorful tradition of the holiday while learning about its deeper meaning. This activity can be a fun and creative way for kids to express their feelings of love and remembrance for lost family members, while also practicing fine motor skills and attention to detail.
How to Do It:
You can purchase sugar skull molds or make edible versions with cookies or white chocolate. Kids can then decorate them with:
- Colored icing
- Edible glitter
- Sprinkles
- Candies
Alternatively, you can use paper or cardboard cutouts to decorate symbolic skulls with crayons, paint, or markers.
Educational Value:
- Enhances fine motor skills
- Introduces Mexican folk art
- Fosters creativity
Explain to children that these skulls are not meant to be scary—they are symbols of celebration and remembrance.
Make Papel Picado
Papel picado is a traditional Mexican paper craft made by cutting intricate patterns into colorful tissue paper. These are often strung up as festive decorations. Creating papel picado allows children to explore their creativity while learning about the cultural significance of this art form. The process also helps improve coordination and fine motor skills, as kids carefully cut and design their own paper patterns to celebrate the holiday.
Materials:
- Tissue paper
- Scissors
- String
- Glue or tape
Steps:
- Fold tissue paper multiple times.
- Cut shapes or patterns into the paper.
- Unfold to reveal beautiful symmetrical designs.
- Attach to string and hang as decoration.
Educational Value:
- Enhances cutting and pattern recognition skills
- Teaches about Mexican decorative arts
- Builds spatial awareness and symmetry
Children will love how their art transforms a room into a vibrant celebration space.
Story Time: Read Día de los Muertos-Themed Books
Books are a great way to introduce children to the cultural and emotional themes of Día de los Muertos. Through storytelling, kids can learn about the traditions, symbols, and rituals associated with the holiday in an engaging way. Reading stories also encourages empathy, helping children understand the importance of remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed.
Recommended Titles:
- “Clatter Bash!: A Day of the Dead Celebration” by Richard Keep
- “The Day of the Dead” by Bob Barner
- “Rosita y Conchita” by Erich Haeger and Eric González
Educational Value:
- Promotes literacy
- Offers cultural insight
- Provides vocabulary around death and celebration
After reading, ask children to share what they learned or enjoyed most. Storytime can also serve as a gentle way to spark conversations about grief or memories of loved ones.
Butterfly Crafts
Monarch butterflies are symbolic in Día de los Muertos celebrations. They are believed to carry the spirits of ancestors visiting from the spirit world. Creating butterfly crafts allows children to connect with this beautiful symbol while expressing their creativity. This activity also offers a chance to discuss the spiritual meaning behind the butterflies and how they represent the return of souls during the holiday.
How to Make:
- Cut out butterfly shapes from paper or cardstock.
- Decorate with markers, paint, or glitter.
- Attach to sticks to create puppets or use as wall décor.
Educational Value:
- Teaches about animal symbolism
- Connects nature and cultural belief systems
- Develops hand-eye coordination
This activity can be tied into lessons about butterfly migration and the connection between nature and cultural traditions.
Make Marigold Flowers
The bright orange cempasúchil, or marigold, is known as the “flower of the dead” and is believed to guide spirits to their altars with its vibrant color and scent. Making marigold flowers can be a fun and meaningful craft for children, as they learn about the importance of these flowers in the Día de los Muertos tradition. It also provides an opportunity to discuss the connection between nature, life, and death while encouraging creativity through paper, tissue, or fabric crafting.
Supplies:
- Orange tissue paper
- Green pipe cleaners
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Stack 4-5 sheets of tissue paper.
- Fold accordion-style.
- Secure the middle with a pipe cleaner.
- Round off the edges and fluff to create petals.
Educational Value:
- Strengthens fine motor skills
- Connects to the biology of plants
- Teaches about symbolism and tradition
Kids will love seeing their marigolds come to life—and they make lovely decorations for ofrendas or classrooms.
Bake Pan de Muerto
Pan de muerto, or “bread of the dead,” is a sweet roll decorated with bone-shaped dough. Baking together is a delicious way to explore the holiday. As you prepare the bread, children can learn about the symbolism behind the shapes and flavors, and the connection to honoring the deceased. This activity not only brings the family together in the kitchen but also provides a sensory experience where children can engage with the holiday’s traditions through taste and touch.
Ingredients:
- Flour, sugar, eggs, yeast, orange zest, and anise seed
- Shaped into round loaves with bone-like pieces on top
Educational Value:
- Introduces traditional food culture
- Offers sensory learning
- Encourages math through measuring and following recipes
Let kids help knead the dough and shape the bones for a tactile and tasty experience.
Painted Pebbles and Stones
Create Dia de los Muertos-themed painted rocks to hide around the garden or share with friends. Kids can paint skulls, marigolds, or butterflies using bright colors and bold designs to reflect the holiday’s festive spirit. This simple yet meaningful activity encourages artistic expression and can also promote community and kindness when the rocks are shared or gifted.
Materials:
- Smooth pebbles or rocks
- Acrylic paint or paint pens
- Optional: Clear sealant
Educational Value:
- Develops artistic skills
- Encourages exploration and sharing
- Provides sensory experience
Paint skulls, marigolds, butterflies, or quotes in Spanish. These can become lovely keepsakes or part of a community rock-hiding project.
Paper Plate Skeletons
Build your own Calaca (skeletons) with paper plates and brads. This craft helps children learn about the joyful and respectful representation of skeletons in Día de los Muertos traditions. Kids can decorate their skeletons with bright colors, hats, flowers, or bows to reflect the festive spirit of the holiday. Assembling the moving parts also supports fine motor development and sparks creativity through hands-on learning.
What You Need:
- Paper plates
- Scissors
- Brass fasteners (brads)
- Black markers or paint
Cut plates into bones and connect them with brads so they move. Decorate the skull with bright designs and patterns.
Educational Value:
- Teaches basic anatomy
- Promotes problem-solving through assembly
- Ties into the festive Calaca tradition
This interactive craft results in a fun, dancing skeleton!
Host a Dia de los Muertos Parade
Invite kids to participate in a mini Day of the Dead parade—at home, in class, or in the neighborhood. Encourage children to wear costumes, face paint, or masks featuring traditional skull designs and vibrant colors. They can carry handmade marigolds, paper lanterns, or decorated signs honoring loved ones. This lively activity celebrates community, creativity, and remembrance while helping children connect with the deeper meaning of the holiday in a joyful, shared experience.
How To:
- Have kids dress in costumes with skull face paint
- Create maracas or tambourines
- March to music (traditional Mexican folk songs)
Educational Value:
- Builds confidence through performance
- Teaches about cultural expression and music
- Encourages physical activity and community spirit
You can record the parade or share it with family to show how traditions are being celebrated and passed on.
Face Painting Fun
Face painting is a big part of Día de los Muertos parades and parties. While skull faces are traditional, they are adorned with colorful, ornate patterns and flowers. Kids can choose their own colors and designs, making each painted face a unique expression of creativity and remembrance. This activity also offers a fun opportunity to talk about the symbolism behind the designs and the importance of celebrating life and honoring those who have passed.
Supplies:
- Face paint or non-toxic makeup
- Face paint brushes or sponges
- Water and wipes for clean-up
Let kids design their own look, then paint it on themselves or with help. You can even host a face painting session and take festive photos afterward.
Use flashcards, label items, or sing simple songs in Spanish to reinforce vocabulary. This supports language development and cultural understanding.
Día de los Muertos offers families and educators a beautiful opportunity to explore themes of memory, tradition, and love through vibrant, hands-on experiences. The activities shared here help introduce children to the importance of honoring those who came before us in a way that is both respectful and fun.
At The Kids Point, we are passionate about blending learning with joy and meaning. Celebrations like Día de los Muertos are perfect examples of how we can embrace cultural heritage while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and emotional growth in children. Whether it’s through crafts, stories, cooking, or play, we hope these ideas inspire you and your children to celebrate life—and remember those we love—with color, compassion, and community.