The best Día de los Muertos activities for kids are simple, hands-on and rooted in remembering loved ones: making paper marigolds, cutting papel picado, drawing a family ofrenda, learning a few Spanish words, and coloring calaveras and cempasúchil flowers. They work for ages 3–10 with little prep.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated mainly on November 1 and 2, especially in Mexico and in Mexican and Latin American communities in the United States. It is not "Mexican Halloween." It is a joyful, loving time to remember family members who have died, with flowers, food, music, photos and stories. Teaching it with that spirit is the most important part of any activity.
Below are ten ideas that families and teachers can use this week, plus a short FAQ.
1. Start with a kid-friendly explanation
Before crafts, give kids two or three sentences they can repeat: "Día de los Muertos is a holiday when families remember people they love who have died. They make an ofrenda with photos, flowers and favorite foods, and they share happy stories." For younger children, focus on remembering and love. For older kids, mention that the tradition blends Indigenous and Catholic customs and that UNESCO recognizes it as part of Mexico's cultural heritage.
2. Make paper marigolds (cempasúchil)
Marigolds are the signature flower of the holiday; their bright color and scent are said to guide spirits home. Stack 6–8 squares of orange or yellow tissue paper, accordion-fold them, tie the middle with a pipe cleaner, and gently pull the layers apart. Preschoolers can color a marigold page instead. Our Bilingual Halloween & Día de los Muertos Pack includes a marigold coloring page labeled in English and Spanish.
3. Cut papel picado
Fold colored tissue paper several times and snip small shapes along the folds. Unfold to reveal a pattern, then string the sheets on yarn. Kids ages 6+ can use safety scissors; younger kids can decorate pre-cut paper flags with crayons.
4. Draw a family ofrenda
Give each child a sheet with three tiers and ask them to draw what they would place on an ofrenda: a photo of a grandparent or pet, a favorite food, candles, marigolds and pan de muerto. This is gentle and personal, and it never requires sharing anything a child does not want to share.
5. Learn bilingual vocabulary
A few words go a long way:
- la ofrenda: altar of remembrance
- el cempasúchil: marigold
- la calavera: skull (often sugar skulls)
- el pan de muerto: bread of the dead
- las velas: candles
- el papel picado: cut paper banners
- la familia: family
- recordar: to remember
Bilingual families can use these as a matching game; Spanish learners can add picture cards.
6. Color calaveras with happy faces
Sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar) are decorated with flowers, hearts and swirls and often carry a name. Kids can design their own on paper and write a loved one's name across the forehead. Keep designs cheerful; this is about celebration, not fear.
7. Read a picture book together
Look for books by Mexican and Mexican-American authors and illustrators that show the holiday from a family's point of view. Afterward, ask: Who would you remember? What was their favorite food?
8. Bake or taste pan de muerto
If you have a Mexican bakery nearby, buy a loaf of pan de muerto and talk about its shape: the round top and the "bones" across it. Supporting local bakeries is a wonderful way to celebrate.
9. Keep Halloween and Día de los Muertos separate
The two holidays fall close together, so kids often mix them up. A simple rule helps: Halloween is for spooky fun; Día de los Muertos is for remembering with love. Our bilingual pack puts them in clearly separate sections for exactly this reason. For a full Halloween set, see the Halloween Mega Bundle.
10. Use low-prep printables for the classroom
Teachers short on time can print a maze, a vocabulary page and a marigold coloring sheet for a 30-minute lesson. Grab our free 5-page sampler on the free printables page to try one today.
What to avoid
- Face paint or costumes that treat calaveras as a spooky Halloween costume, especially in class
- Calling it "Mexican Halloween"
- Asking children to talk about a death if they do not want to
- Mixing in skeleton horror imagery
FAQ
What is Día de los Muertos for kids?
It is a Mexican holiday on November 1–2 when families remember loved ones who have died by building an ofrenda with photos, marigolds, candles and favorite foods, and by sharing happy stories.
Is Día de los Muertos the same as Halloween?
No. Halloween (October 31) is about costumes and spooky fun. Día de los Muertos (November 1–2) is a loving celebration of remembrance with its own traditions.
What age is best for Día de los Muertos activities?
Kids ages 3–5 can color marigolds and learn a few words; ages 6–10 can cut papel picado, draw an ofrenda and learn the history.
Can teachers do Día de los Muertos in a public school?
Yes, as a cultural lesson. Focus on traditions, art, vocabulary and family remembrance, and keep participation optional for personal sharing.
Where can I find bilingual Día de los Muertos printables?
The Bilingual Halloween & Día de los Muertos Pack from Jolly Paper Co includes English and Spanish pages, a maze, vocabulary and a marigold coloring page.
Looking for more? Browse all holiday packs at Jolly Paper Co, or email hello@jollypaperco.com with questions.