24+ Day of the Dead Activities for Kids: Understanding Dia de los Muertos History Traditions

These Day of the Dead activities are fun holiday for kids’ activities! We have Dia de los Muertos coloring pages, lessons and crafts, including traditional day of dead costume and makeup, calaveras or DIY sugar skulls, how to make Day of Dead flowers, understanding the Dia de los Muertos altar and more!

Best Day of the Dead Children’s Activities

Been thinking of adding Day of the Dead lessons and activities to your learning, but aren’t sure about it? Dia de Muertos (or Day of Dead in Spanish) may sound scary to some, but it’s really not once you understand it! (And, I think some people may find the traditional Day of Dead face painting too scary for kids until they understand the meaning!)

How do you teach kids Day of the Dead?

These are great whether you need Day of the Dead classroom activities or homeschool Dia de los Muertos activities!

How To Celebrate Día de los Muertos:

• Learn about the history of Day of the Dead and other cultural traditions to honor the Mexican culture
• Do a Calaveras sugar skull craft
• Understand the Day of the Dead is also a celebration of life for the departed souls and your own ancestors
• Discuss the purpose of the Day of Dead altar
• Decorate an Ofrenda as a respectful Dia de los Muertos activity to honor family members
• Read Day of the Dead books and do corresponding Dia de los Muertos worksheet packs
• Bake pan de muerto (recipe link below!)
• Have fun with a Day of the Dead sensory bin (great for Mexico crafts for preschoolers, too!)
• Learn about the papel picado symbolism (papel picado significance and the papel picado color meaning) and other
  day of the dead paper decorations – one of my favorite day of dead craft ideas!
• Learn about the significance of Monarch butterflies in the special holiday celebration
• Decorate your classroom for Day of the Dead
• Watch Day Of The Dead videos to help kids understand the history and significance of the day
• Play Day of the Dead facts for kids bingo
• Grab some day of the dead free printables (see below)
• Learn about symbols of the Day of the Dead
• Understand mythical creatures associated with the holidays
• Do Day of the Dead crafts for kids
• Cook traditional foods for the holiday
• Have fun with an easy day of the dead pumpkin painting to look like traditional face painting
• Read Calavera poems for Day of the Dead English and get inspired for dia de los muertos drawing ideas
• Review vocabulary for Day of the Dead Spanish activities
• Research Mexican artists who create Day of Dead art or Mexican folk art
• Search Day of the Dead events near me and get event details to attend!

See the full dia de los muertos ideas, lesson plan Day of the Dead resources, and Day of the Dead classroom activities below — whether you’re looking for day of the dead activities for elementary students, day of the dead kindergarten activities, or dia de los muertos classroom activities for teens and high schoolers, you’ll find ideas! KEEP SCROLLING for tons of resources for Day of the Dead activities for Spanish class or a fun at-home celebration idea for engaging dia de los muertos activities for kids! 

 

Before we get to more Day of the Dead activity ideas, let’s start at the beginning with Day of Dead meaning and background before we get to dia de los muertos printables and activities…

What is Dia de Muertos?

What does the Day of Dead mean?

Dia de Muertos, or Day of Dead, is a Mexican Holiday that celebrates the life of ancestors who have passed. It is celebrated across Latin America and is most recognizable as the holiday with the colorful calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons) costumes. Day of the Dead is not just “Mexican Halloween” (it’s not a Mexican version of Halloween) and it is not the same as Cinco de Mayo.

 

When is Day of Dead?

The Day of Dead date is celebrated each year from October 31, through November 1st, in to November 2nd to honor family relatives who have died.

 

MORE FUN LESSON PLANS FOR KIDS:

Cinco De Mayo History, Facts, Activities and Lessons for Kids

Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plans and Activities for Kids

Free Day Of The Dead Coloring Pages (sugar skull coloring pages) / el Dia de los Muertos worksheets with Day of the Dead Vocabulary Worksheet Flashcards

 

 

What activities do they do on Day of the Dead?

What happens on the Day of the Dead?

Activities during Day of the Dead:

• Set up ofrendas de dia de muertos (day of the dead altar) to honor loved ones (one of the most important activities on the Day of the Dead) – for your ofrenda project ideas / Day of the Dead shoebox altar ideas for Spanish class crafts, keep in mind that ofrendas honor loved ones who have died so be sure to be respectful of that
• Decorate with sugar skulls and marigold flowers (cempasúchiles)
• Clean the gravesites of loved ones who have passed – great way to give back too during this time of the year
• Hold picnics and graveside vigils
• Leave favorite foods of loved ones on graves
• Dress up in colorful costumes
• Paint faces like skulls
• Make calaveras, or cute sugar skulls
• Decorate with MEXICAN PAPEL PICADO
• Display skeletons (calacas)
• Make (and eat!) Pan de Muerto (we had so much fun with this as one of our ideas for Dia de los Muertos one year!)
• Have celebrations with family 

 

►LOOKING FOR CHEAP DAY OF THE DEAD CRAFTS AND SUPPLIES? CHECK HERE

 

What is Day of the Dead in Spanish?

The Day of the Dead in Spanish is Dia de los Muertos, or Dia de Muertos if you’re saying Day of Dead.

 

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OUR FRIENDLY MONSTERS ACTIVITY PACK IS PERFECT TO PAIR WITH YOUR FALL ACTIVITIES FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR!

Kid Printables Coloring Pages & MORE. Fun to go along with Day of the Dead activity sheets and October lessons!

CHECK IT OUT!

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Is Day of the Dead a sad celebration?

Day of the Dead may sound like a sad celebration, but it is actually a joyous occasion of remembering and celebrating loved ones who have died. For the people who celebrate the Day of the Dead festival (Dia de Muertos), it is viewed as just part of the cycle of life and children are taught not to fear death. It is meant to be a happy time to share memories of loved ones who have passed.

I love this book for talking about día de los muertos activities for preschool / Dia de los Muertos kindergarten activities and up: Festivals: Day of the Dead Children’s Books

 

 

 

DAY OF DEAD FACTS: Day of the Dead History And Traditions Of Day Of Dead

Who invented the Day of the Dead?

Dia de los Muertos historically has roots in the Aztec traditions of honoring and celebrating the dead. However, the traditions spread into other cultures, especially in Central America.

 

What countries celebrate the Day of the Dead?

When we think of Day of the Dead, we probably think Day of the Dead activities in Mexico and in Mexico City. While that country has large Dia de los Muertos celebrations, the traditions are also honored in other parts of Latin America like Guatemala, Brazil, Spain, and also in the United States, especially in the areas of Los Angeles (dia de los angelitos) where there are large Hispanic populations.

Search online for Day of the Dead events near me or local Day of the Dead festivities for a Day of Dead celebration to attend, live performances / live music, and even community altars! Younger kids will also love these cultural event activities for this traditional Mexican holiday.

 

Is Day of the Dead religious?

Dia de los Muertos has its roots as a religious celebration and is closely related to Souls Day, which is observed by Roman Catholics.

According to Catholic.org:

The holiday itself has multiple traditional origins, chiefly Catholic.

 

Catholics believe that the deceased do not always enter directly into heaven or hell upon their death, but instead may enter into purgatory, a sort of holding space, where they are cleansed of their sins before they can enter heaven.

 

People who die in a state of mortal sin go directly to hell, by virtue of their choice, while those who die without sin may go directly to heaven.

 

Purgatory is for those who have died in a state of sin, but not mortal sin.

 

These people must wait in purgatory until they are cleansed of their sins by the prayers of the faithful on Earth.

 

Day of the Dead is an occasion to offer those prayers.

 

This is largely redundant with the Catholic holy day of All Souls.

 

Day of the Dead is an occasion to pray for these departed people in purgatory.

 

How Day of the Dead is Celebrated

What are some traditions during the Day of the Dead?

Families who celebrate often set up a Dia de los Muertos altar, or ofrendas de dia de muertos (ofrenda de muertos), in their homes to honor the deceased. They then place some of the deceased family member’s favorite things on the altar — food, drinks, and any other items that the family member enjoyed while they were alive.

It is also traditional to put calaveras, or sugar skulls, and marigold flowers on the altar.

After they have decorated their homes, the families then go to the cemetery for a celebration.

Families have a huge feast and spend time cleaning the tombstones and honoring their family members who have passed as part of their dia de los muertos party ideas.

GET IDEAS FOR MORE DAY OF DEAD RECIPES TO MAKE WITH KIDS

 

Day of Dead Costume

What to wear for day of the dead costume?

On Dia de los Muertos, people dress up in suits and nice dresses with hats like the calavera Catrina, or the skeleton with hat (“a well dressed woman” or la catrina). They may also paint their faces in the traditional Day of the Dead makeup skulls.

People of all ages take part in dressing up in Day of Dead costumes.

Need ideas for day of the dead? Check out this men’s Day of Dead Costume (dia de los muertos costume for boys)

 

 

Day of Dead Makeup

So, What’s Up With the Scary Day of the Dead Makeup Skulls?

OK, I will admit that some of the Day of the Dead face paint can be a little jarring, especially the first time you see it.

However, there is a reason that people celebrating wear Day of Dead makeup, painted Day of the Dead makeup skull faces / day of dead skull tattoo, and also why they decorate with painted skeletons.

In the past, painted faces, costumes, and dances were used to “scare away the dead” at the end of the Dia de Muertos celebration.

However, it has evolved into painting your face to celebrate something about a loved one or simply as a way to express yourself during the celebration.

Most people paint their faces like skulls embellished with decorations and vivid colors for simple cute day of the dead makeup!

 

Ok, let’s get to more day of the dead crafts for students, day of the dead decorations DIY, and more kids activities to celebrate and honor Day of the Dead!

Best Day of the Dead Lesson Activities, Crafts, Plans & el Dia De Los Muertos Ideas For Kids

Fun Day Of Dead Ideas In Teaching And Learning

There are so many interesting ways to incorporate Dia de Muertos into your learning and Day of the Dead celebration ideas! These Day of the Dead ideas are fun Day of the Dead activities for students, learning at home, and Day of the Dead projects for Spanish class — from Day of the Dead preschool activities, Día de los Muertos activities for elementary, to Day of the Dead activities for high school and day of the dead printables for free.

Don’t think that you just have to add these as a Day of the Dead Spanish project! Add Dia de los Muertos projects to your holiday celebrations and culture and diversity studies, too! (You’ll even find that these are fun Day of the Dead activities for adults, too!)

We’ve put together DIY Day of the Dead traditional activities, including Day of the Dead facts and Day of the Dead history to help kids better understand and have fun with it! 

 

 

 

Day of the Dead Games and Activities

Dia de los Muertos games and fun activities are a great way to learn about this Mexican holiday!

• Bake Day of the Dead Food sweet bread: Make Pan de Muerto (with a twist!)

• Grab a free Day of Dead Coloring Sheets Activity Pack (includes Day of the Dead activity sheet printable with Day of Dead vocabulary flashcards)

• Learn about more traditional food (fun for Spanish class, too!)

• Watch Coco (and do some theme lessons for the movie and get some Dia de los Muertos quotes coco!)

• Make TRADITIONAL MEXICAN PAPEL PICADO, which are the decorative papers and streamers of bright colors (fun crafts for paper arts!) as part of your Day of the Dead decorating ideas

• Create a SUGAR SKULL COLLAGE (dia de los muertos drawings and awesome day of the dead crafts)

• Make Day of the Dead Ornaments (for easy Day of the Dead crafts)

• Make Mexican corn in a cup or Mexican elotes

• Spend a couple of weeks with a Day of the Dead study unit and Day of the Dead printable activities and with free Day of the Dead reading comprehension activities

• Make churros

• Have fun with this Day of the Dead Educational Activity Guide

• Complete this Day of the Dead lesson plan and also this one if you need more

• Do a free Dia Muertos mini art lesson

• Color your own Sugar Skull Masks

• Make tissue paper flowers or these tissue paper marigolds [day of dead video links]

 

 

YOU’LL ALSO HAVE FUN WITH THESE KIDS ACTIVITIES: HOW TO HAVE AN ENCANTO PARTY (great for Day of the Dead birthday party ideas!)

 

 

Learn About Dia de Muertos Colors For Dia de los Muertos Decorations

Add Dia de los Muertos symbols and colors to your Dia de los Muertos lesson plan!

According to AZ Central, the colors during Dia de Muertos have very specific meanings:

Yellow – Represents the sun and unity, because under the sun, we’re all the same.

White – Using this color in decorations represents spirit, hope and purity.

Red – Represents blood and life.

Purple – For this holiday, purple represents mourning, grief and suffering.

Pink – The bubbly color signifies happiness.

 

Watch 2 Kid Friendly Day of the Dead Videos

Here’s a good (kid-friendly) video that explains Dia de Muertos (great for dayofdead theme videos for middle school and high school, too!)

I also thought this was a cute short film, but you may want to watch it beforehand because some kids (especially little ones) may find it sad or scary. 

For older kids, have them write a synopsis of the videos as part of Dia de los Muertos project.

 

Paint Your Face for Day of the Dead

Want Dia de los Muertos project ideas for art class?

You can paint your face, or take turns painting each other’s face, for your Day of the Dead celebrations. (Older students will love Catrina face paint!)

This Day of the Dead makeup face paint kit makes the painting super easy!

There are also cool Day of the Dead makeup skull face tattoos that you can put on just for the day for your own Dia de los Muertos mask!

You can also use the face painting for Day of the Dead drawing ideas!

 

Make Calaveras (or Sugar Skulls)

Sugar skulls, or calavera, are candy skulls that are created to resemble the deceased.

They are a traditional treat and decoration during the Day of the Dead celebrations.

Making Day of the Dead sugar skulls is a fun hands-on addition to your Dia de Muertos lessons.

(Just make sure you have a skull candy mold before you get started with your día de muertos project!)

 

Read Day of the Dead Children’s Books

Don’t forget to add Day of Dead books for kids to your activities for Dia de los Muertos! (Perfect for your dia de los muertos preschool activities!)

• Daniela’s Day of the Dead
• The Day Of The Dead El Dia De Los Muertos: A Bilingual Celebration
• Di De Los Muertos
• Day of the Dead kids book 
  Clatter Bash! A Day Of The Dead Celebration
• I Remember Abuelito: A Day Of the Dead Story

 

FUN WITH DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ACTIVITIES: Encanto Lesson Plan Ideas (Encanto Crafts And Activities)

 

Have fun with these Dia de los Muertos activities for the classroom and homeschool! Let us know your favorite Day of the Dead project ideas and we’ll add them to our list!

WHAT DAY OF THE DEAD ACTIVITIES WILL YOU ADD TO YOUR LEARNING?

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