7 Dia de los Muertos Crafts for Kids That Honor the Holiday's True Meaning
Updated: Sep 20
Dia de los Muertos, or "Day of the Dead," is a vibrant Mexican tradition honoring loved ones who have passed away. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, the holiday brings families together to share stories and keep those memories close.
Families mark the holiday with an ofrenda, a home altar built with photos and favorite foods. It's decorated with marigolds called cempasuchil. The bright color and strong floral scent is said to guide spirits home for a visit. Kids can join in at their own level. They might help build a piece of the family ofrenda, or ask what the marigolds and sugar skulls represent.
The seven crafts below are hands-on art projects for kids that connect to a real part of the holiday, from a shoebox ofrenda to a string of papel picado. If your family is also getting ready for trick-or-treating, check out our list 10 Spooktacular Halloween Crafts for Kids.
Why Creating Dia de los Muertos Crafts for Kids Is a Meaningful Family Activity
A craft gives kids something to do with their hands while a bigger conversation happens around them. Cutting a paper marigold or writing a name on a photo card makes the idea of remembering someone feel real instead of abstract, especially for younger kids who are still working out what the holiday means.
A well-built ofrenda usually includes a photo of the person being honored and a small light to guide them home. Many families add a favorite food, too. Kids don't need to get every detail right. Picking one photo and one small light for their own mini version teaches the same idea a large family altar does.
1. Shoebox Ofrenda (Mini Altar)
Families use these altars to honor deceased loved ones with photos, favorite foods, and special mementos. A mini ofrenda helps kids understand the role of altars in Día de los Muertos.
Materials Needed:
a Shoebox, Photos of loved ones, Colored tissue paper, String or Yarn, Markers, Glue,
Tea Lights (optional)
How-To at a Glance:
Decorate the shoebox with colored paper and markers.
Add photos and small items that represent your loved ones.
Place the ofrenda in a special spot at home.
For detailed instructions, check out this guide.
2. Papel Picado Banner
Papel picado, or perforated paper, is a traditional decoration used during Día de los Muertos. These colorful banners add a festive touch to any celebration and are a great way for kids to practice their cutting skills.
Materials Needed:
Construction or Tissue paper, Scissors, String, Tape
How-To at a Glance:
Fold the tissue paper and cut out designs.
Unfold the paper to reveal the patterns.
Attach the papel picado to a string and hang it up.
For a step-by-step tutorial, visit the Live Colorful Blog.
3. Tissue-Paper Cempasúchil (Marigolds)
Cempasúchil (marigolds) are a hallmark of the holiday, symbolizing life’s beauty and death’s fragility. Making these flowers is a fun and colorful art project for kids to enjoy.
Materials Needed:
Yellow and orange tissue paper, Scissors, Pipe cleaners, Ruler
Decorative edge scissors (optional)
How-To at a Glance:
Measure and cut tissue paper into 4x9" sheets.
Layer and fold them, then secure the stack with a pipe cleaner.
Lift the sides toward the center to form the flower.
For more detailed instructions, check out this resource.
4. DIY Matchbox Nicho Shrine
A Nicho, or memory window, is a small shrine that holds photos and mementos of loved ones. Creating a mini nicho allows kids to personalize their remembrance space.
Materials Needed:
Empty Matchboxes, White craft glue, Scissors, Paint, Glitter glue or loose glitter, Photos/ Images, Gems/sequins
How-To at a Glance:
Glue your photo inside the matchbox base.
Add glitter to the inner frame.
Cut the matchbox sleeve into a base and decorative wings.
Paint and add decorations.
For a full guide and video tutorial, check out the Crafty Chica blog.
5. Calavera Paper-Plate Mask
Calaveras, or skulls, are iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos. Making a paper-plate mask is a fun way for kids to get creative and learn about this important symbol.
Materials Needed:
Paper plates, Paint or markers, Glue, Decorative items (glitter, sequins), sturdy paper straw, or craft sticks.
Lucky Charms cereal (optional)
How-To at a Glance:
Trace your outline and cut out eye holes
Paint the paper plate to create a skull design.
Add decorations to personalize the mask.
Attach to a sturdy straw or craft stick to wear.
For a simple version, check out this guide.
For a fun 3D version that stands out - check out Hispana Global
6. Luminary Bags
Luminaries light the way for spirits of loved ones during Día de los Muertos. This simple project adds a soft glow to your celebration.
Materials Needed:
White Paper bags, Battery-operated tea lights, Markers or stickers
How-To at a Glance:
Decorate the paper bags with designs.
Place a tea light inside each bag.
Arrange the luminaries around your ofrenda.
For a step-by-step tutorial, visit this link.
7. Glowing Lantern Jars
Painted jar lanterns are a creative way to add light to your Día de los Muertos celebration. Kids can personalize their jars while learning about the importance of light in guiding spirits.
Materials Needed:
Glass jars, Acrylic paint, Paintbrushes, Battery-operated tea lights
How-To at a Glance:
Paint and design the jar's exterior.
Allow the paint to dry.
Place a tea light inside each jar.
For more detailed instructions, check out the Growing Up Bilingual blog.
She also has a glass-free version safe for little ones.
A Few Safety Notes for Craft Time And How To Save The Memories
Battery-operated tea lights are worth the small extra cost. They give the ofrenda, the nicho, and both lantern projects a real glow without an open flame near paper and glue. Save the scissor work for an adult or an older sibling when a project calls for small, precise cuts, like the papel picado banner or the mask eye holes.
However your family chooses to mark the day, these crafts work best paired with the story behind them. Whose photo goes on the ofrenda? What did that person love? That conversation is what turns the project into Día de los Muertos, rather than a fall craft with skulls on it.
If your kids' craft table stays busy well past this one holiday, Artkive photographs and preserves all of it. Papel picado banners and classroom drawings, along with everything else from the year, can go into one printed Art Book or digital archive. Get started with Artkive whenever you're ready to see a season's worth of crafts kept in one place instead of scattered across shelves and bins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dia de los Muertos Crafts for Kids
What is Dia de los Muertos, and how can kids participate respectfully?
Dia de los Muertos honors family members and friends who have died. It leans on color and food to celebrate their memory, rather than on mourning. Kids take part respectfully by helping build a small ofrenda or hearing a family story. The goal is always to celebrate a real person, not to wear a costume.
What materials do I need for a shoebox ofrenda?
A shoebox, colored paper for the backdrop, a printed photo, and something orange for marigolds cover the basics. Tissue paper works fine for the marigolds. A battery-operated tea light and a small favorite treat round out the rest.
How do I preserve dimensional crafts like an ofrenda or a nicho shrine?
Photograph the piece from a few different angles before it gets packed away or recycled. Dimensional crafts like these don't flatten onto a scrapbook page the way a drawing does. If you'd rather skip that step yourself, Artkive photographs and digitizes 3D pieces like ofrendas and nicho shrines, so the finished craft holds up as a keepsake long after the shoebox is gone.
Para concluir...
Whether you celebrate this holiday every year or are just learning about it, we hope your family enjoys these fun Dia de los Muertos crafts for kids. May they inspire you to honor loved ones and deepen your understanding of this beautiful tradition.
So gather your supplies, unleash your creativity, and celebrate the amazing lives of those who came before you.
¡Feliz Día de los Muertos!
