So, you’re thinking about introducing your kids to Día de los Muertos? Awesome. It’s one of those celebrations that sounds a little spooky on the surface—skeletons, graves, the whole nine yards—but is actually one of the most beautiful, colorful, and life-affirming traditions out there.
I remember the first time I tried explaining it to my nephew. He looked at me with huge eyes and asked, “So… it’s like Halloween, but you’re happy about dead people?” We had some work to do. :/
The truth is, Day of the Dead isn’t about being scared. It’s about remembering, laughing, and sharing stories about the people we love who aren’t with us anymore. And the best way to teach that to kids? You gotta get your hands dirty. You have to make stuff, bake stuff, and turn the whole concept into a vibrant, hands-on experience.
I’ve put together a list of my absolute favorite 12 Day of the Dead activities for kids. These aren’t just crafts to keep them busy; they’re little gateways into understanding a rich cultural tradition. Ready to get started? Let’s go.
Crafty Calaveras (Sugar Skull Fun)
This is the big one, right? When people think of this holiday, they think of skulls. But we’re going to spin it so it’s about art, not fear.
1. DIY Paper Marigolds (Cempasúchil)
You can’t have a Día de los Muertos celebration without marigolds. These bright orange flowers are said to guide the spirits home with their vibrant color and strong scent.
Grab some orange and yellow tissue paper, green pipe cleaners, and scissors. Stack a few sheets, fold them like an accordion, tie the pipe cleaner around the middle, and then carefully fluff and separate each layer of paper. It’s a bit finicky for tiny hands, but I promise, the look on their faces when that pile of paper suddenly becomes a flower is pure magic.
Pro-tip: Let the kids go wild fluffing the petals. The fluffier, the better! We hang these all over the house, and it instantly makes everything feel festive.
2. Painting Sugar Skull Rocks
This is my go-to activity because it’s low-cost and virtually mess-free if you do it outside. Go on a little “rock hunt” with your kids to find smooth, flat stones. Once you’ve got your canvases, wash and dry them.
Then, break out the acrylic paint or even good old-fashioned washable paint if you’re feeling brave. Let them paint the rocks white first. Once that dries, the real fun begins. They can paint on eyes, noses, and the intricate floral patterns around the forehead and jawline.
Honestly? My favorite rocks aren’t the perfectly detailed ones. They’re the ones where my kid decided the skull needed rainbow polka dots and a goofy smile. It’s authentic! It shows that they’re engaging with the symbol in their own way.
3. Play-Doh Ofrenda Figures
Sometimes you need an activity that requires zero prep. Enter Play-Doh. Set out a tray with red, yellow, white, and black Play-Doh and challenge them to make their own little calaveras (skulls) or little skeleton figures.
You can sit with them and make your own. Ask them, “What should our skeleton be doing? Should he be playing a guitar? Taking a nap?” This naturally opens up the conversation about how in Day of the Dead, skeletons are shown doing everyday things—it shows that death is just a part of life.
Cooking Up Memories (Recetas)
The way to anyone’s heart—especially a kid’s—is through their stomach. Getting them in the kitchen is a win-win. You get some treats, and they learn about the “why” behind the food.
4. Decorating Pan de Muerto
If you have a local Mexican bakery (panadería), this step is easier. Go grab some Pan de Muerto—that sweet, eggy bread rolled in sugar. It’s a staple on every ofrenda.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make it from scratch, but I usually take the shortcut. I buy the bread and set up a “decorating station” with bowls of colored sugar sprinkles, melted butter for brushing, and maybe some icing pens.
Ever wondered why it’s shaped like that? The little round ball on top represents a tear drop or a skull, and the strips of dough crossing it represent bones. Tell your kids that while they’re sprinkling pink sugar all over it. It’s a great conversation starter!
5. Building a Mini Ofrenda with Cookies
Graham crackers, royal icing, and a bunch of candy. Sound familiar? It’s like gingerbread houses, but for Day of the Dead!
Use a shoebox lid as the base. Let your kids use the graham crackers to build a little altar structure. Then, the decorating begins. Use orange icing for marigolds, brown M&Ms for candles, and little round candies for offerings. It’s a great way to explain the different levels of an ofrenda and what goes on them, all while they’re elbow-deep in frosting.
6. Sugar Skull Cookie Decoration
This is probably the easiest entry point. Bake or buy a batch of sugar cookies in a rounded skull shape (or even just a circle). Make several colors of royal icing and provide an array of sprinkles, glitter gels, and candies.
The goal here isn’t perfection; it’s expression. Let them pipe and smear to their heart’s content. It’s a fantastic sensory activity, and even the youngest kids can participate. Plus, you get to eat the results. I see this as an absolute win.
Remembering with Love (Ofrendas & Stories)
This is the heart of the holiday. It’s not just about generic skeletons; it’s about specific people.
7. Create a “Memory Box” for the Ofrenda
Instead of just placing a photo on the ofrenda, have your kids create a special memory box for that person. Find a small cardboard box and let them decorate it with paint, fabric scraps, and stickers.
Inside, they can put things that remind them of that loved one. Maybe it’s a small toy they used to play with at Grandma’s house, a photo of them together, or a seashell from a beach trip. I did this with my daughter for my abuelo, and she put a little toy car in there “because he always had mints in his car.” It was such a specific, sweet memory.
8. “Stories by Candlelight” (Quiet Time)
On the evening of November 1st or 2nd, dim the lights and light a few (battery-operated, if you’re like me and worry about little hands!) candles. Gather the family around the ofrenda you’ve built.
This isn’t a time for formal storytelling. Just ask, “What’s your favorite funny story about Tío Robert?” or “Remember when we went to the beach with Grandma?” It creates this beautiful, intimate moment where the kids realize that remembering people is warm and happy, not sad.
FYI, my kids always end up telling stories about our pets who have passed away. And honestly, that counts. The point is to remember anyone who is no longer with us that we loved.
9. Read “Just a Minute” or “Funny Bones”
Books are my secret weapon for teaching anything. For younger kids (ages 4-8), “Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book” by Yuyi Morales is an absolute gem. It features Grandma Beetle and Señor Calavera and is full of life and laughter, not spooks.
For older kids (6-10), “Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras” by Duncan Tonatiuh is a fantastic non-fiction pick that tells the story of the artist who created the iconic La Catrina skeleton. It gives them context for why skeletons are such a big part of the art. It’s a great way to turn a craft into a history lesson.
Art, Games, and Just Having Fun
Sometimes you just need an activity that’s purely for entertainment.
10. Papel Picado Banners
This is the colorful, perforated paper you see draped everywhere during the holiday. It’s surprisingly easy to make. Fold a piece of tissue paper (or multiple layers) like you’re about to make a paper snowflake. Then, instead of cutting random shapes, cut small triangles, squares, and lines along the folded edges.
When you open it up, you’ll have a beautiful, lacy banner. You can string them together on a piece of yarn or string. Just a heads up: tissue paper is delicate. Little hands can tear it easily, so this is a great activity for practicing patience and gentle hands. If they tear it, just tape it—no biggie!
11. Skeleton Movement Game (¡Muévete!)
Put on some upbeat Mexican folk music—think mariachi or banda. When the music stops, call out a pose. “Pose like a skeleton playing the guitar!” “Pose like a skeleton dancing!” “Pose like a sleeping skeleton!”
It’s basically musical statues with a Day of the Dead twist. It gets the wiggles out and reinforces the idea that skeletons in this tradition are active and joyful. You’ll be laughing so hard watching them try to be a “skeleton eating a taco.” Trust me.
12. Face Painting (The Kid-Friendly Way)
Professional face painting with intricate sugar skull designs is an art form. For kids at home, we’re going for the DIY version.
Buy a face paint kit (the kind that’s easy to wash off!) and let them paint each other’s faces—or your face! They can do simple things: paint half your face like a skull, draw flowers on your cheeks, or just color your nose black. The objective is to have fun with the imagery. I let my kids go to town on my face one year, and I looked like a deranged, beautiful butterfly-skeleton hybrid. I wore it with pride. 😀
So there you have it. Twelve ways to bring the spirit of Día de los Muertos into your home without any pressure to be perfect. It’s not about replicating a traditional Mexican ofrenda down to the last detail (unless you want to!). It’s about teaching our kids that remembering can be joyful, that death is a natural part of life, and that love stories don’t end when someone is gone.
IMO, the best part is watching them make these connections on their own. When my daughter offers one of her cookies to the photo of her great-grandpa, that’s the moment it all clicks.
Now, go have some fun, make some memories, and maybe eat a sugar cookie or two. You’ve earned it.
