Day of the Dead Crafts

Crafts are a great way to introduce kids to different cultures and traditions. Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is celebrated on November 1st and is a holiday to honor deceased loved ones. Older kids can research the holiday along with making fun new crafts.

Tissue Flowers

Tissue flowers are easy and fun. Start with 6 or 7 pieces of tissue paper. This one is cut to about 6″ x 12″. Accordion fold the paper starting from the short end.

Add a pipe cleaner tightly to the middle leaving the rest for a stem.

Round the edges with some scissors…

And fluff out the layers one by one. Pull slowly and carefully since the tissue paper is so thin, but it’s ok if it rips a little.

Fluff all the layers to get the look you want. You can use one color or multiple colors!

Skull Masks

For a skull mask start by cutting a head shape out of white cardstock. Cut out some eyes and a mouth if wanted.

Have children doodle all over the mask. A parent can start the process to get ideas flowing.

Add fun colors and patterns. You can attach string on either side to create a wearable mask, or hang on walls for decoration.

Skull lantern

These are beautiful all lit up at night! Start with a white paper bag and draw a mouth, eyes and nose with black maker.

Have kids add fun colors and shapes.

At night place a battery-operated candle inside and see your lantern in a whole new light.

Allison Waken is a kids’ activity and craft guru always ready to try something new. See more on her blog, All for the Boys, where she features activities and crafts that inspire creativity, play and interaction.