If you’re looking for fun and easy ways to keep kids entertained while learning about Día de los Muertos, these free COCO movie printables and crafts are perfect! From COCO movie coloring pages to hands-on projects like making paper marigolds, this collection of COCO movie free printables and activities will add a fun and educational twist to your celebration. Whether you need some creative Día de los Muertos activities for your classroom or want to include festive Day of the Dead activities for kids at your Dia de los Muertos party these printables and crafts are a great way to get started.
The COCO movie, created by Disney•Pixar, is more than just a fun animated film—it’s a colorful celebration of Mexican culture, family, and tradition. The movie tells the story of a boy named Miguel who dreams of becoming a musician, even though his family has banned music. After a magical journey to the Land of the Dead, Miguel learns the importance of family and following his passion, making COCO the perfect movie to introduce kids to Día de los Muertos.
The movie beautifully captures the essence of Día de los Muertos, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. This day is dedicated to remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed away, and it’s filled with vibrant colors, joyful music, and meaningful traditions. Watching COCO with your family is a great way to introduce children to this rich cultural celebration and to the Dia de los Muertos traditions in Mexico (you can check out my article about Day of the Dead traditions across Latin America to learn about how this holiday is celebrated in other countries). To make the experience even more fun and interactive, we’ve put together a collection of COCO movie crafts and activities with free printables that are perfect for a Día de los Muertos party or family movie night!
Why COCO is a Great Movie to Learn About Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos is a holiday full of life, color, and joy—just like COCO. While many cultures think of death as something sad, this holiday treats it as a time to celebrate life and remember the good times spent with loved ones who have passed away. The movie does a wonderful job of teaching children that death is not something to fear, but rather an important part of life. It also emphasizes the importance of family, memories, and staying connected to our heritage, which is a central theme in Día de los Muertos.
As you watch COCO, you’ll see familiar Día de los Muertos symbols, like marigold flowers, ofrendas (altars), and colorful sugar skulls, which are key elements of the celebration. These vibrant visuals not only make the movie entertaining but also educational, offering a wonderful opportunity to introduce kids to this beautiful Mexican holiday.
For even more fun ways to teach kids about Día de los Muertos and its traditions, be sure to read my article about the best Day of the Dead movies for kids. By combining the movie with hands-on activities and learning about the holiday in a fun, engaging way, you can make the experience both meaningful and memorable for children. Whether you’re planning a party or just looking for some fun COCO-themed activities, these COCO movie crafts and activities with free printables will add extra fun and meaning to your celebration!
COCO Movie Crafts and Activities Free Printables
Here are some exciting COCO movie crafts and activities that are sure to entertain kids of all ages. These free printablesare a fantastic way to combine creativity with the heartwarming messages from the movie. From family tree templates to colorful mazes, these activities are perfect for a Día de los Muertos party or as a fun addition to your movie night at home.
1. COCO Family Tree Template
One of the central themes of COCO is the importance of family and remembering where we come from. With theCOCO family tree template, kids can trace their own family connections and explore their heritage, just like Miguel did in the movie. This printable allows children to fill in their family members’ names and create their own tree of memories, making it both an educational and sentimental activity. Download your free printable COCO family tree template here or click on the image below.
2. COCO Coloring Pages for Dante, Ernesto, Miguel, and Hector
Bring your favorite Coco characters to life with these fun and easy COCO coloring pages. Kids can color in characters like Miguel, Dante, Ernesto, and Hector using bright colors inspired by the movie’s beautiful animation. Coloring is a great way for children to express their creativity and connect with the characters they’ve come to love. Plus, these pages make great decorations once they’re finished! Download your free printable COCO coloring pages by clicking the links below:
- Miguel coloring page
- Dante sitting coloring page
- Dante standing coloring page
- Ernesto coloring page
- Hector coloring page
3. Free Printable Make COCO’s Guitar Craft
One of the most memorable elements of COCO is Miguel’s guitar, which plays a huge role in his journey. With this free printable make COCO’s guitar craft, kids can create their own version of Miguel’s iconic instrument. The activity is simple and fun, allowing children to personalize their guitar and embrace Miguel’s love for music in a hands-on way. Download your free printable COCO guitar craft instructions here or click on the image below.
4. Free Printable Instructions for Making Paper Marigolds
There are many flowers traditionally used in Day of the Dead celebrations but among them marigolds are an important symbol in Día de los Muertos celebrations, representing the path that spirits use to visit the living. With these free printable instructions for making paper marigolds, kids can create their own beautiful flowers to decorate their home or party space. The bright, bold marigolds add a traditional touch to any celebration and are easy for children to make. You can learn more about marigolds and their symbolism here.
Download your free printable COCO marigold craft for kids here or click on the image below.
5. Coco Activity Maze
Help Miguel find his way back to his family in the Land of the Dead with this fun COCO activity maze. This printable is both entertaining and challenging, encouraging kids to use their problem-solving skills while staying connected to the themes of the movie. It’s a great way to keep kids engaged while watching Coco or during a party. Download your free printable COCO activity maze here or click on the image below.
6. COCO Printable Memory Card Game
Test your memory with this exciting COCO printable memory card game! This activity is perfect for kids who love a challenge. Print and cut out the cards, and let the children match pairs of characters and symbols from the movie. This game helps improve memory and concentration while adding an extra layer of fun to your Día de los Muertos celebration. Download your free printable COCO memory card game here or click on the image below.
More Fun COCO-Themed Party Ideas
If you’re looking for even more ways to bring the spirit of Coco into your celebration, here are some additional ideas that will make your Día de los Muertos party unforgettable:
- Make Alebrijes Paper Crafts: In COCO, the alebrijes—brightly colored mythical creatures—play an important role. With an alebrijes paper craft kit, kids can create their own magical creatures and decorate them in vibrant colors. Get your alebrijes craft kit and join the kids in the fun.
- Play the COCO “Remember Me” Lotería Game: Lotería is a traditional Mexican game similar to bingo. I grew up playing loteria and it still brings me so much joy to play it today. This special Coco version is a fun and interactive game for the whole family to enjoy. You can find the COCO Remember Me lotería game here.
- COCO Movie Inspired Coloring Books: For more creative fun, give kids a COCO coloring and activity book or let them get creative with an alebrijes coloring book to explore the magical world of these colorful creatures from the movie. These books are perfect for imaginative coloring sessions and a great conversation starter about the meaning, significance and history of alebrijes.
With these free printables and craft ideas, your COCO movie night or Día de los Muertos party will be filled with color, creativity, and meaningful fun. Whether you’re introducing kids to the cultural importance of Día de los Muertos or simply looking for ways to enjoy this beloved movie, these COCO movie crafts and activities are sure to make your celebration unforgettable!
Discover More About Disney Pixar’s COCO with These Articles
A few years ago before the movie came out I had the opportunity to travel to Pixar and not only learn about the process for making this movie and the inspiration for it but also got to meet and talk to the producer, animators and so many of the people involved in the process of making the movie. I was truly in awe of the detail and work that went into it but above all I was touched by the work that went into truly honoring and sharing the Mexican Day of the Dead traditions in a loving way.
If you’re as captivated by COCO as many are, these additional articles provide a deeper look into the movie’s cultural significance, characters, and the creative work behind the scenes. From learning about the inspiration behind the film to understanding its portrayal of Mexican traditions, these articles will help you appreciate COCO even more. Whether you’re curious about the animation process or how the film shines a light on Latino culture, these articles have something for everyone and will make watching the movie so much more meaningful.
- Getting A Sneak Peek At Disney Pixar’s COCO Movie
This article gives you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Coco was made, including details on the animation process and cultural research. - COCO Takes You On A Musical Journey Through The Sounds Of Mexico
Discover how COCO uses authentic Mexican music to enhance the story, taking viewers on a rich and vibrant musical journey.
- Bringing Skeletons To Life
Learn how Pixar animators created the lively skeleton characters in Coco and made them fun, colorful, and full of personality.
- 10 Interesting Facts About COCO’s Character Dante
Find out fun facts about Dante, the lovable dog in COCO, and how he was inspired by real-life Mexican hairless dogs called Xoloitzcuintli. This is one of my most popular COCO articles, everyone wants to know more about the funny and quirky pup Dante.
- Promoting Positive Latino Role Models
COCO highlights positive Latino role models, showcasing a strong cultural identity and the importance of family values. - COCO Shines A Spotlight On Mexican Folk Art Bringing Alebrijes To Life
This article explores how COCO features Mexican folk art, especially the magical creatures called alebrijes, and their cultural significance.
- A Movie About Ancestors, Memories And Familia
This article delves into the heart of COCO, focusing on the film’s themes of family, honoring ancestors, and preserving memories. - Why This Animated Movie Means So Much To Latino Families
This article explains why COCO resonates so deeply with Latino families, celebrating the culture, traditions, and strong family bonds in the movie. Here I share how important it was for my kids to see a movie where a culture so similar to ours (we are from Guatemala) was celebrated in such a loving way. There are so many things we identified with from our love for tamales and music, to our strong family bonds and honoring and remembering loved ones that have passed away through traditional Dia de los Muertos foods.
More Day of the Dead Activities and Crafts For Kids
Here are some more fun Day of the Dead activities and crafts for kids that will help them celebrate the holiday while learning about its traditions. From creative crafts to festive treats, these ideas are perfect for getting everyone involved in the spirit of Día de los Muertos!
Make a Sugar Skull Quilling Project with Your Kids
This Easy Day of the Dead Craft teaches kids how to make a sugar skull using the art of paper quilling. By rolling and shaping strips of colorful paper, kids can create a fun and decorative sugar skull to celebrate Día de los Muertos. It’s an easy and creative project that helps kids learn about the holiday while making a unique decoration.
Paint Sugar Skull Pumpkins for Day of the Dead
In this Sugar Skull Pumpkins craft, kids can paint pumpkins with bright colors and sugar skull designs for a fun twist on Day of the Dead traditions. This project is easy and perfect for decorating your home for Día de los Muertos while involving children in the creative process. It’s a festive and unique way to celebrate the holiday with a fun craft.
Create a Sugar Skull Paper Garland with Your Kids
The Sugar Skull Paper Garland craft is a simple and colorful way for kids to help decorate for Día de los Muertos. Using colorful cardstock, children can cut out and decorate paper skulls to string together into a garland. This easy craft is perfect for teaching kids about the meaning of sugar skulls and adding festive flair to your celebration.
Bake Pan de Muerto with Fun Variations
This Easy Pan de Muerto Recipe walks you through making the traditional sweet bread used during Día de los Muertos. You can also add fun variations like making pan de muerto calaverita decorated with sugar skull designs, or filling the pan de muerto with Mexican hot chocolate ice cream or marigold cream for a special twist. These playful variations are sure to make your Day of the Dead celebration extra delicious and memorable.
Make Day of the Dead Skeleton Cookies
Day of the Dead Skeleton Cookies are an easy and fun recipe where you decorate skeleton designs on sugar cookies using icing. This simple recipe is great for kids who want to get involved in the kitchen while learning about Día de los Muertos. The cookies are perfect for a festive treat to share with family and friends.
Cook with Marigolds: Easy Recipes for Día de los Muertos
These Easy Recipes Using Marigolds (cempasúchil) are a unique and flavorful way to honor Día de los Muertos. Try delicious options like Marigold Flan, Cempasúchil Cream-Filled Pan de Muerto, or Marigold Atole, each using the bright and symbolic marigold flower. These recipes add a special touch to your holiday table and are a beautiful way to connect with tradition.
Throw a Day of the Dead Themed Party
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a lively and colorful party featuring fun decorations like a sugar skull piñata garland and and let the kids make their own creative sugar skull masks . Keep the festivities sweet with kid-friendly treats like sugar skull fruit pizza (one of my favorite Day of the Dead desserts), these super easy to make white chocolate-covered strawberries, and if you really want to take your Dia de los Muertos party to the next level this festive Day of the Dead cake with buttercream frosting is a must! For a unique dessert, try making coconut pumpkin budin shaped into into a sugar skull to delight your guests! Get some more Day of the Dead party ideas and free printable here!
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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