DIY Day of The Dead Ofrenda Altar

On November 2nd, the dead come back to visit the living, and the entrance of the altar (ofrenda or altar in Spanish) is built to welcome and guide them to their altars. 
Make Mini Paper Nichos – Tiny altars are perfect for filling with photos, mementos, and other trinkets to remind you of loved ones.

DIY  Photo Frame For The Day of The Dead

As photos are a crucial part of the ofrenda altar in the Day of the Dead celebration, why not use all the colors with their symbolic meaning to create a photo frame? 

DIY Day of the Dead Printable Skull Calaveras Mask

Placed alongside photos and possessions of the dead are the graphic and macabre representation of the human skull. Color the picture, cut the sugar skull out, and add a craft stick to make your own Day of the Dead celebration! 

I also love the DIY Day of the Dead Bookmarks – Red Ted Art 

DIY Marigold (Cempazuchitl in Spanish) flowers –

The brightly colored orange petals of the marigold are said to represent the sun. Along with its sweet, floral scents, which get carried along by the evening winds, the flowers lead the spirits to their shining altar. Make gorgeous paper marigold blooms to decorate.

Make Tapetes de aserrín (sawdust carpets)

Elaborate, hand-designed patterns of colorful sawdust called Tapetes de aserrín (sawdust carpets) will sometimes line the entryway of the altar, serving as a path for the dead. Check out the post to see how they are made. 

DIY Day Of The Dead Catrina Craft For Kids

Catrina is not only an iconic part of the Day of the Dead but also recognized worldwide as an emblematic symbol of Mexico. This easy and cute Catrina Day of the Dead craft is a fun craft to make with the kids. It’s the ideal Day of the Dead craft for decorating an altar. 

Make a Papel Picado – Tissue Paper Banners 

Those colorful, festive cut paper banners you see on Day of the Dead altars and at Mexican celebrations are papel picado. Papel Picado means ‘punched’ or ‘perforated’ paper, and traditionally Papel Picado is made from colored tissue paper and cut using chisels. Check out the cute tutorial to make your own.

Bake PAN DE MUERTO (Mexican day of The Dead Bread)

A type of sweet bread, this is only sold in the weeks leading up to the Día de Muertos. It’s eaten by the living, as well as left as an offering on the altar for the returning dead. It is a light and eggy sweet bread that is shaped like a round loaf or smaller round rolls – check out the recipe by Curious Cuisiniere.

DIY Day of the Dead Flower Headband

Coronas de Flores, or crowns of flowers, are often placed on graves after burial and worn by children and adults alike with fancy dresses. This pretty floral headband is great for a day of the dead fancy dress costume.

Monarch Butterfly Craft

Every autumn, millions of beautiful orange and black monarchs flock to Mexico to avoid the cold weather of the North. Their migration coincides with El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the
Dead). The Ancient Aztecs of Central Mexico believed that the monarch butterflies were the returning souls of their fallen warriors and that they should be honored. Let’s make some!