Dia de Los Muertos” means “Day of the Dead” in Spanish. This Mexican holiday is to celebrate loved ones who have passed on. They believe that during these few days, the dead awaken and celebrate alongside them. It is a joyful holiday and is for honoring rather than mourning
Dia de Los Muertos is a public holiday in Mexico and begins on October 31 and ends on November 2.
To learn more about Dia de Los Muertos:
Top Ten Things to Know About The Day of the Dead from National Geographic. Click to read.
Whether you always celebrate or if this is your first time, here are crafts and foods that will set the stage for your holiday.
Day of the Dead Mask. These colorful masks are fun to color for the kids. Just download the images using the link below. Print the sugar skulls on white cardstock and color the masks with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. You can glue a stick on for a handle. Click here for instructions.
Day of the Dead Luminaries. Print out the template and have the kids use markers to brightly color the design. Then you simply wrap the paper into a circle and tape closed. Insert a battery-operated tealight and you have a beautiful luminary. Click here for instructions.
Skeleton Craft. Download the templates, print, and cut out. Once the kids decorate with glue and glitter (yes, it’s a glitter project!), you can attach the pieces to make the skeleton dance. Click here for instructions.
Paper Flowers. In Mexico, huge bouquets of marigolds in shades of red, orange, and yellow are placed on altars and graves on Day of the Dead. They are also strung together to create garlands that hang above the graves. To recreate the look of the colorful displays, make piles of paper flowers and fashion them into garlands or place them into vases. Click for instructions on making paper flowers.
Pan de Muerto. This traditional sweet bread is served on Dia de Los Muertos. Click for recipe and instructions.
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