When I first started explaining Día de los Muertos to my kids, I fumbled it. Big time. I got all tangled up trying to differentiate it from Halloween, and I think I just ended up confusing everyone, including myself. My youngest thought we were building a “snack table for ghosts,” which, honestly, isn’t totally off base, but you get the picture. 😅
If you’re looking for meaningful, fun, and slightly less-ghost-snack-table ways to introduce your children to this beautiful tradition, you’ve come to the right place. This isn’t about being scared; it’s about remembering with joy. So, grab a cup of coffee (or maybe some champurrado), and let’s chat about 12 Día de los Muertos activities for kids that are perfect for celebrating and remembering our loved ones.
1. Build an Ofrenda (A Tiny One!)
The ofrenda, or offering altar, is the heart of the celebration. But the thought of building a massive, multi-tiered altar can be overwhelming. My advice? Start small.
- Find a special spot: Use a small side table, a shelf, or even the top of a bookshelf.
- Gather the essentials: You don’t need everything at once. Focus on a few key items:
- A photo: Of the person you’re remembering.
- Water: To quench the spirit’s thirst after their long journey.
- Candles: To light the way. Battery-operated ones are your best friend here, IMO. No singed little fingers!
- Marigolds: These bright orange flowers (called cempasúchil) are said to guide spirits with their vibrant color and scent. You can use real ones, or get crafty with tissue paper (more on that below!).
Pro-Tip: Let your kids decide what goes on the ofrenda. My daughter once insisted on putting a small toy car on there for her great-grandpa, and honestly? It felt perfect.
2. Craft Tissue Paper Marigolds
Speaking of marigolds, this is the quintessential Día de los Muertos craft. It looks complicated, but I promise it’s not. It’s all about the folding and snipping.
- What you need: Colorful tissue paper (orange and yellow are the stars, but feel free to mix it up), green pipe cleaners or floral wire, and scissors.
- The simple steps:
- Stack about 6-8 sheets of tissue paper. The more layers, the fluffier the flower.
- Fold the stack accordion-style (back and forth) in 1-inch folds.
- Wrap a pipe cleaner tightly around the center of the folded strip to make the stem.
- Cut the ends of the folded paper into a rounded or pointy shape.
- Now for the magic: carefully separate each layer of tissue paper, pulling them up towards the center to create the petals. Fluff and arrange to your liking!
See? Not so scary. And they look amazing scattered around the house or on the ofrenda.
3. Bake (or Decorate) Pan de Muerto
This “Bread of the Dead” is a sweet, slightly orange-flavored bread that’s a total treat. You have two solid options here, depending on your baking confidence.
- Option A (The Brave): Make the dough from scratch as a family project. It’s a wonderful sensory experience for kids—kneading the dough is a great stress reliever for everyone!
- Option B (The Smart): Buy pre-made pan dulce from a local Mexican bakery and focus all your energy on decorating. This is my go-to. We use simple icing to draw the traditional bone shapes on top and sprinkle it with sugar. The kids feel like they’ve created a masterpiece without me having a flour-covered meltdown. Win-win.
4. Paint Calaveras (Sugar Skulls)
This is probably the most famous activity, and for good reason. But let’s be clear: we’re not painting real skulls here. We’re decorating sugar skulls or, even easier, ceramic or paper-mâché skulls.
- The Set-Up: Cover your table with newspaper (this is not optional unless you want rainbow-colored furniture). Grab some acrylic paint, glitter glue, feathers, sequins, and little jewels.
- The Activity: Let them go wild. The traditional look is colorful and ornate, but there’s no wrong way to do it. Ever wondered why they have big smiles? It’s to show that death is not something to be feared, but a natural part of life. A happy skull remembers a happy life.
5. Read a Book Together
There are so many incredible children’s books that explain the holiday in a gentle, engaging way. Curling up on the couch with a good story is a perfect low-key activity.
- “Rosita y Conchita” by Erich Haeger and Erich Haeger
- “Día de los Muertos” by Hannah Eliot
- “Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras” by Duncan Tonatiuh
6. Make a Memory Garland
This is one of my absolute favorites because it’s so personal. It’s like a paper chain, but with a purpose.
- What to do: Cut strips of colored paper. On each strip, have your kids dictate or write down a favorite memory of the person you’re honoring. It can be anything: “Grandma always let me have an extra cookie” or “Uncle Luis taught me how to whistle.”
- Connect them: Link the strips together to form a garland and hang it near the ofrenda or across a doorway. It’s a physical reminder that our memories keep us connected.
7. Salt Dough Handprint “Remembrance” Reliefs
This is a craft that doubles as a keepsake. It’s simple, cheap, and super sentimental.
- Make the dough: Mix 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water until it forms a dough.
- Create: Roll out a circle or square and press your child’s hand firmly into the center. You can then use a straw to poke a hole at the top if you want to hang it later.
- Personalize: Use a toothpick or skewer to write the name of the person being remembered and the year. You could also add a small decoration like a flower or a heart.
- Bake & Paint: Bake at a low temperature (200°F) for a few hours until hardened, or let it air dry for a few days. Once it’s cool, let the kids paint it!
8. Create Your Own Papel Picado
This is the beautiful, perforated tissue paper banners you see everywhere. And yes, it involves scissors, so keep an eye on the little ones.
- The trick: Fold a piece of tissue paper in half, and then in half again. Fold it like you’re about to make a paper snowflake.
- Cut shapes: Cut little triangles, squares, and slits along the folds.
- Unfold the magic: Carefully open it up to reveal your beautiful, unique design. String several of them together on a piece of yarn or string to create a festive banner. Warning: tissue paper is thin and tears easily. Patience is a virtue here!
9. Have a “Favorite Things” Dinner
Who says you have to cook? On November 1st and 2nd, it’s believed that the spirits of our loved ones return to visit and enjoy the earthly pleasures they once loved.
- The Activity: For dinner, cook (or order!) the favorite meal of the person you’re remembering. Did your abuela love tacos al pastor? Perfect. Was your cousin obsessed with mac and cheese? Go for it.
- Talk about it: As you eat, share stories. “Why do you think this was Tío’s favorite?” It’s a delicious way to spark conversation and feel close to them.
10. Go on a Marigold Hunt
This is less of a craft and more of a fun outing. Marigolds are incredibly hardy and often pop up at local nurseries and even some grocery stores in late October.
- The Mission: Head out as a family on a “marigold hunt.” See who can spot the brightest, biggest marigolds.
- Bring some home: Pick up a couple of plants or a bunch of cut flowers to bring home. Let your kids be in charge of arranging them in a simple vase for the ofrenda. It’s a small task that gives them a huge sense of ownership over the celebration.
11. Write a Letter to the Ancestors
This is a beautiful activity for kids who are a little older and can write.
- Explain it: Frame it as writing a letter to catch them up on your life. What have you learned this year? What are you proud of? What do you miss most about them?
- Add a drawing: For younger kids, they can draw a picture to “send” to the spirit.
- Place it on the ofrenda: Fold the letter and place it on the ofrenda as an offering. On November 3rd, you can “deliver” it by reading it aloud together before tucking it away in a memory box.
12. Share Stories & Look at Photos
Sometimes the simplest activity is the most powerful. Get out the old photo albums (remember those?) or scroll through digital photos on the TV.
- Make it cozy: Grab some blankets, make some hot chocolate, and just… look and talk.
- Ask questions: “Who is this?” “What was their laugh like?” “Do you remember this day at the park?”
- Celebrate the life: This isn’t about being sad they’re gone. It’s about being happy they were here. Let the kids lead the conversation. You might be surprised by what they notice and the questions they ask.
So, there you have it! Twelve ways to bring the beauty and joy of Día de los Muertos into your home. It’s not about a perfect, Pinterest-worthy altar. It’s about the memories, the stories, and the love you share as a family. Pick one or two activities that feel right for you, and just go for it. Your kids will remember the feeling far more than the finished product.
Happy celebrating, and here’s to remembering with a smile. ❤️
