Easy craft for the Day of the Dead: paper mache skull

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Making and decorating a skull for the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a cherished tradition in Mexico to honor loved ones who have passed away. It’s both a celebration of life and death where families get together, on November 1 and 2. It should not be confused with Halloween. Here is an easy craft for the Day of the Dead using a paper mache skull that your children can easily decorate in minutes.

Colorful sugar skulls or calaveritas are used in altars to honor the deceased. The ofrendas usually include the favorite foods, water, family photos, and candles for each dead relative. Marigolds are also used to decorate the altars and families bake Pan de Muertos, a sweet, delicious bread shaped like bones. The elegant version of the skulls is called a Catrina, and you will see them everywhere in Mexico in the week leading up to the Día de los Muertos.

What is the Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead, known as “Día de los Muertos” in Spanish, is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated to honor and remember deceased loved ones. It typically takes place over two days, November 1st and 2nd, which coincide with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The holiday has indigenous Mesoamerican roots, particularly with the Aztec civilization, and has blended with Catholicism over time.

During the Day of the Dead, families create ofrendas (altars) in their homes or at the gravesites of their departed relatives. These ofrendas are adorned with various items, including candles, marigold flowers, sugar skulls, food, beverages, and personal mementos of the deceased. The purpose of these offerings is to welcome the spirits of the departed back to the world of the living, and to ensure they have a joyful and memorable visit.

To familiarize yourself even more with this beautiful tradition, I highly recommend you see Coco, which is one of my favorite Pixar movies. Do have tissues handy, because it will tug at your heartstrings.

If you decide to celebrate the Día de los Muertos, you can have the children make calaveras or skulls for the Day of the Dead. Here is an easy craft that will look beautiful on any altar.

If you celebrate the Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos, have the children make calaveras or skulls. Here is an easy craft that will look beautiful on any altar.

Paper mache skull or calavera for the Day of the Dead

Supplies needed to decorate a Day of the Dead skull

You will need:

Instructions

  1. Paint the paper mache mask white and allow to dry completely.
  2. Decorate the skull using the paint pens. Don’t be scared of using different colors!If you celebrate the Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos, have the children make calaveras or skulls. Here is an easy craft that will look beautiful on any altar.
  3. Add paper flowers using the glue dots and self-adhesive gems to embellish your design.

More ideas to honor the Día de los Muertos

If you decide to celebrate the Día de los Muertos, you can have the children make calaveras or skulls for the Day of the Dead. Here is an easy craft that will look beautiful on any altar.

Please share!

TV Host, Speaker & Author

Jeannette Kaplun is a Latina mom of 2, TV host, author and blogger. She's the founder of Hispana Global and has appeared on Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, Despierta América, Hoy Día, CNN en Español and The Chew. Previously she co-founded Todobebé and hosted the Emmy-nominated Viva la Familia TV show on Univision. Jeannette's work has been featured in prominent media outlets such as Forbes, The Huffington Post, Today Show Parenting Team, Parents Latina, Univision and Telemundo. She has also been a speaker at industry conferences and events, sharing her expertise on content creation, branding, and entrepreneurship. She serves as Special Advisor to The Bank of America Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship at Cornell and was included in the Forbes #Next1000 2021 list. She won the Iris Award for Instagram of the Year in 2021. Jeannette lives in Miami with her family and Maltese dog, Snoopy.

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