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You are here: Home / Holidays / 10 Dia De Los Muertos – Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids

10 Dia De Los Muertos – Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids

Avatar of Shruti Acharya

Shruti Acharya | October 19, 2020 | Leave a Comment

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Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos with our 10 Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids, including skulls, paper marigolds,  tissue paper banners, flower headbands, free printables & more!

Contents hide
What is Dia de Los Muertos and why is it celebrated?
When is the Day of the Dead celebrated?
Why is Day of the Dead celebrated for two days?
What do they do on Dia de los Muertos?
What activities do the children do during the Day of the Dead?
10 Dia De Los Muertos – Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids
DIY Day of The Dead Ofrenda Altar
DIY Photo Frame For The Day of The Dead
DIY Day of the Dead Printable Skull Calaveras Mask
DIY Marigold (Cempazuchitl in Spanish) flowers –
Make Tapetes de aserrín (sawdust carpets)
DIY Day Of The Dead Catrina Craft For Kids
Make a Papel Picado – Tissue Paper Banners
Bake PAN DE MUERTO (Mexican day of The Dead Bread)
DIY Day of the Dead Flower Headband
Monarch Butterfly Craft

What is Dia de Los Muertos and why is it celebrated?

The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Latin America. It is not a Mexican version of Halloween. Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death with colorful Calaveras (skulls) and Calacas (skeletons). Also, see The Best 11 Cinco De Mayo Crafts for Kids

When is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

November 1st & November 2nd, 2020. Dia de Los Angelitos (Day of the little angels) starts at midnight on November 1st, where the spirits of all deceased children are believed to reunite with their families for 24 hours.

Why is Day of the Dead celebrated for two days?

The first day celebrates infants and children who have died. This group is believed to have a special place in heaven, and are referred to as “Angelitos” or little angels. The second day is in honor of adults who have passed away.

What do they do on Dia de los Muertos?

Although the central theme of the holiday is death, it is a fond remembrance & shows love and respect for the deceased family members. Dia de Los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in this life.

What activities do the children do during the Day of the Dead?

Children can be involved in many ways. Decorate with sugar skulls and marigold flowers (cempasúchiles). Clean the gravesites of loved ones who have passed. Hold picnics and graveside vigils. Leave favorite foods of loved ones on graves. We like to celebrate different cultures around the world by making some crafts and understanding the meaning & significance behind each custom.  
 

10 Dia De Los Muertos – Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids

Day of The Dead Crafts 15

 This year, make these super fun 10 Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids & anyone who loves Mexican folk art! Teach your kids about this holiday, as well as their own ancestors who have passed. Have fun!

  1. DIY Day of The Dead Ofrenda Altar
    Day of The Dead Crafts 1

    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.

  2. DIY  Photo Frame For The Day of The Dead
    Day of The Dead Crafts 7

    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? 

  3. DIY Day of the Dead Printable Skull Calaveras Mask
    Day of The Dead Crafts 9

    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! 
    Day of The Dead Crafts 8

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

  4. DIY Marigold (Cempazuchitl in Spanish) flowers –
    Day of The Dead Crafts 2

    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.

  5. Make Tapetes de aserrín (sawdust carpets)
    Day of The Dead Crafts 4

    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. 

  6. DIY Day Of The Dead Catrina Craft For Kids
    Day of The Dead Crafts 5

    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. 

  7. Make a Papel Picado – Tissue Paper Banners 
    Day of The Dead Crafts 11

    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.

  8. Bake PAN DE MUERTO (Mexican day of The Dead Bread)
    Day of The Dead Crafts 6

    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.

  9. DIY Day of the Dead Flower Headband
    Day of The Dead Crafts 10

    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.

  10. Monarch Butterfly Craft
    Day of The Dead Crafts 3

    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!

Day of The Dead Crafts 16

Filed Under: Holidays, Fall, Latest Posts, Primary school Kid Crafts & Activities Tagged With: Folk Art & Craft Projects from around the world, holiday crafts, Mexico, Mexico Crafts, south america, world culture

Avatar of Shruti Acharya

About Shruti Acharya

Shruti is a writer, photographer, DIY lover, passionate homemaker, and the chief dreamer at ArtsyCraftsyMom.com . Shruti lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and daughter. She loves showcasing fun art activities, crafts for kids, celebrations, childrens books & all the craziness that is India.

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