15 Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids

Celebrate Día de Los Muertos with these easy Day of the Dead crafts for kids! On November 1st and 2nd, we honor the lives of those who have passed and swap the mourning with a celebration of life. The Day of The Dead is unlike any holiday you have ever experienced. It is full of unique traditions like visiting the cemetery and decorating altars. So, embrace this spirit-filled holiday with these easy Day of the Dead crafts perfect for the whole family. From colorful piñatas and cute lanterns to traditional sugar skulls, you’ll find a fun craft to decorate your home!

Day of the Dead DIY calavera pumpkin candle decor

Día De Los Muertos Celebrations

We love celebrating the Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) in our house. The Mexican holiday is observed in November and focuses on remembering loved ones that have passed away. One of the most fun ways to enjoy the holiday is by making a cute sugar skull or Day of the Dead crafts. This way, the kids and I can display them in our home.

What does Day of The Dead Celebrate?

Day of the Dead, also known as Día de Los Muertos, is a Latino holiday celebrating life and death. It is commemorated across many Latin American countries to honor the dead. People make colorful altars full of ofrendas or offerings, marigolds, and Calaveras (skulls). Even the food is displayed as a way to encourage a visit from departed souls and join in the Day of the Dead celebrations.

In my home country, it is a huge holiday, full of great Guatemalan traditions and unique celebrations. For example, people prepare exceptional food to take to the cemetery and decorate the gravestones. There is even a beautiful giant kite festival and an unusual drunken horse race!

When is the Day of The Dead?

Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in November, usually unfolding over two or three days. Depending on the country, it is called different things. For example, some countries celebrate Día de Todos Los Santos (All Saints Day) on November 1st, and Día de Los Fieles Difuntos (All Souls Day) is on the 2nd.

In Mexico, Día de Los Muertos is a two-day celebration, starting on November 1st and culminating in the famous Day of The Dead celebrations on the 2nd. Mexicans host elaborate processions and decorate altars with marigolds and their staple Sugar skulls to mark the occasion. 

Best Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids

In addition to having fun as a family, making Day of the Dead crafts is a beautiful approach to talking about the holiday with my kids. Also, it gives my husband and me the perfect opportunity to teach them a little more about their Hispanic heritage. These crafts are also ideal for teaching kids about Dia de Los Muertos in the classroom. Here are fifteen fun and easy Day of the Dead arts you can make with your kids this year:

Sugar Skull Piñata Garland | Growing Up Bilingual

If you are looking for festive Day of Dead decorations, this sugar skull piñata garland is easy to make and so much fun. It is an excellent activity for kids and adults alike. Its bright colors will brighten any party!

Sugar Skull Pinata Garland

Skull Rocks | Crafts by Amanda

Paint a couple of easy skull rocks, a very original craft for a Day of the Dead celebration. If you’re looking for an easy craft for the kids (or you need something to kill time on a rainy afternoon), these skull rocks are just the thing.

Day of the Dead Painted Skull Rocks plus 15 easy Day of the Dead Crafts for kids. These make the perfect art project for kids to learn about Dia de los Muertos.

Day of the Dead Photo Frame | Cool Moms Cool Tips

Photos as a crucial part of the ofrenda altar in the Day of the Dead celebration, so why not create a meaningful photo frame? This easy DIY Photo Frame for the Day of the Dead Ofrenda Altar is a fun, inspiring craft you can make with your kids.

Day of the Dead Photo Frames plus 15 easy Day of the Dead Crafts for kids. These make the perfect art project for kids to learn about Dia de los Muertos.

Since the Día de Muertos is a special occasion to honor our ancestors, encourage your kids to get creative. Use things or colors that have a special meaning for the loved one you are making the ofrenda for.

Glow in the Dark Day of the Dead Lanterns | Growing Up Bilingual

These whimsical lanterns are another fun Día de Los Muertos craft to make with the kids. These non-toxic glow-in-the-dark Day of the Dead lanterns are so easy to make! They are a great Day of the Dead activity for adding to your altar.

Glow in the Dark Day of the Dead Lanterns plus 15 easy Day of the Dead Crafts for kids. These make the perfect art project for kids to learn about Dia de los Muertos.

Easy Day of the Dead Craft for Kids | The Gingerbread House

This great Día de Los Muertos craft is easy to do with children as you don’t need any special equipment. The children went crazy with these easy Day of the Dead decorations! You’ll have to check out The Gingerbread House website to see how easy it is to make!

Easy Day of the Dead Kids Craft plus 15 easy Day of the Dead Crafts for kids. These make the perfect art project for kids to learn about Dia de los Muertos.

DIY Sugar Skull | The Inspiration Vault

The Día de Los Muertos Sugar Skull decorations have become a popular way to honor family members that are no longer with us. They add a whimsical and fun side to the Day of the Dead celebrations. Have fun coloring these incredible designs with your kids!

DIY Painted Sugar Skull plus 15 easy Day of the Dead Crafts for kids. These make the perfect art project for kids to learn about Dia de los Muertos.

Day of the Dead Mask Craft | Growing Up Bilingual

You can create these colorful sugar skull masks that are easy to make for your Day of the Dead celebrations. Kids will have a blast adding unique designs and bright colors to make them fun. 

Day of the Dead Skull Mask plus 15 easy Day of the Dead Crafts for kids. These make the perfect art project for kids to learn about Dia de los Muertos.

Día de Los Muertos is about celebrating the lives of our loved ones who have passed away. Creating these masks is a great way to teach kids about this important holiday.

Skull Bath Bombs | Beauty Crafter

This easy-to-make Skull Bath Bomb is a great Day of the Dead DIY to make at home. This recipe is simple, with no colorant, so it’s great for those sensitive to dyes. Plus, these little skulls are so cute and fun!

Day of the Dead Skull Bath Bombs

Day of the Dead Printables | White House Crafts

Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout central and southern parts of Mexico to honor the deceased. The sugar skull is the symbol for all festivities; you will find it in many altars. So here is a couple of Day of the Dead sugar skull FREE printables that could make cute tags or coasters!

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Wind Chime | Growing Up Bilingual

This DIY sugar skull wind chime makes a great outdoor decoration for the El Día de Los Muertos celebration. The best part: it’s so easy to make by upcycling old materials you have around the house!

DIY Day of the Dead wind chime

Glittered Skull Garland | Vitamini Handmade

This beautiful paper clay skull garland would look great hanging above any Day of the Dead altar. It’s super easy to make at home! And it is the ideal decoration for a Día de Los Muertos party!

Glittered Skull Garland

Sugar Skull Pots and Flowers Craft for Kids | Growing Up Bilingual

These Sugar Skull Pots and Flowers are an easy, kid-friendly craft to make for El Día de Los Muertos’ festivities. Sugar skulls and paper flowers are commonly used during the Day of the Dead celebrations to decorate altars where the photographs of loved ones are displayed.

Sugar Skull Planter and Flowers Craft for Kids

Dia de Los Muertos Kid-Friendly Lanterns | Growing Up Bilingual

Altars usually include candles, but if you want a safer and kid-friendly option, give these lanterns a try. They are ideal for adding to your altar, and you won’t have to worry about them catching fire! 

Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead craft lanterns DIY

These Día De Los Muertos kid-friendly lanterns were not just an easy and quick craft but also affordable. I also like that you can place them inside or outside your home to brighten up a space.

Matchbox Shrines | Crafty Chica

These colorful matchbox shrines are a fantastic way to use materials you have at home and create new crafts for El Día de Los Muertos celebrations. Transform a matchbox into an artful doorway to a mini-masterpiece, a creative decoration perfect for the Day of the Dead festivities.

Matchbox shrines

Easy To Make Sugar Skull Pumpkin Candle Holders | Growing Up Bilingual

These DIY pumpkins will make a fun centerpiece and are ideal for a Day of the Dead altar. If your kids like decorating pumpkins, these sugar skull-inspired pumpkin candle holders are perfect. Make them the focal point for our Dia de Los Muertos Altar, giving it a whimsical twist this year!

Day of the Dead DIY calavera pumpkin candle decor

More Day of the Dead Crafts and Ideas You’ll Love

Easy Day Of The Dead Party Ideas, Food, And Crafts

Whether you’re hosting a Day of The Dead Party for the first time or want to make your celebration more memorable, here are easy Día de Los Muertos party ideas you’ll love. From sugar skull-inspired recipes to Day of the Dead decorations, here are lots of tips and inspirations for your Dia de Muertos party.

Dia de los Muertos party food ideas

Best Day Of The Dead Craft Ideas With Cricut: Includes Free SVG Files

Break out your Cricut and do a project with your kids to honor the lives of loved ones that have passed away. These Day of the Dead crafts and free SVG files for Cricut are perfect for your Day of the Dead altar, for decorating your home, or as offerings.

25 Day Of The Dead Recipes To Die For!

These recipes will not only make your mouth water, but they all look so awesome. Plus, they are fun to make and will undoubtedly make any Day of the Dead party or celebration unforgettable!

25 Day of the Dead recipes to die for

25 Easy Day Of The Dead DIY Projects

Here are 25 easy-to-make Day of the Dead DIY crafts you can do with your kids. Some of these are so easy they will only take a few minutes! Many of these DIY crafts would make incredible decorations for your altar or party decorations.

Traditional Day Of The Dead Recipes For Celebrating Día De Los Muertos

If you’re looking for Dia de Los Muertos’ traditional recipes to serve during the Day of the Dead, you’ve come to the right place. These traditional Day of the dead recipes include everything from Pan de Muerto and decorated sugar skulls to traditional Mexican dishes.

15 traditional Day of the Dead recipes to celebrate Dia de Muertos

These Day of the Dead crafts are ideal for kids as they are easy to make. They would also make great Dia de Los Muertos art projects for school! These Día de Los Muertos crafts would also make for a great activity during your Day of the Dead celebration. Let us know how you celebrate Día de Los Muertos, and share your traditions in the comments below!

5 easy Day of the Dead Crafts for kids. These make the perfect art project for kids to learn about Dia de los Muertos.

Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

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2 thoughts on “15 Day of the Dead Crafts for Kids”

  1. I am in love with the candle holders! all these Día de Muertos craft are a hit! thanks for sharing so many good ideas!

    Reply

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