Are you looking for a simple and fun day of the dead craft for kids to do this fall?

We’re sharing how to make this striking sugar skull craft with your kids or students.

It’s a simple activity that will inspire your children’s creativity and get them exploring new cultures! 

Since this activity can be as easy or complex as you want it to be, it’s perfect for children of all ages.

Toddlers and preschoolers can color in what they want, while older kids can fill in every minute detail to make it perfectly unique! 

Read on or watch the video below to see how to do this craft at home or in the classroom. 

Also, be sure to check out all of our Halloween crafts for kids!

Day Of The Dead Craft

What Is Dia De Los Muertos? 

If you’re anything like us, you have no idea what the Day of the Dead really is.

Pretty much all of our knowledge about it came from Disney’s movie, Coco. But after a few quick google searches, we’re surprised to say that Disney did a pretty accurate job in describing the dia de lost muertos celebrations. 

Like the movie depicts (go watch it if you haven’t!), the Day of the Dead is a celebration held in Mexico at the end of October. It begins on October 31st and goes through November 2nd. This is a time to celebrate and remember loved ones who have died.

Those who participate believe the spirits of their deceased family are able to come back and celebrate with the family. Many believers decorate altars with pictures of their family, colorful flowers, food, and drinks their deceased family loved, and yes, sugar skulls! 

Check out how simple it is to make this sugar skull craft with your kids! 

Supplies

• Kids art paper
• Colored card stock 
• Scissors
• Glue 
• Crayons, markers or watercolors 
• Rhinestones (or glitter)
• Day of the dead craft template (download form at the end of the page)

Directions

Download the day of the dead craft template and print on the kids’ art paper.

Use bold colored crayons or markers to fill in the skull.

Add the rhinestones or glitter on special spots on the skull.

Cut out the skull from the white paper. 

Glue the skull onto a piece of colored card stock or construction paper.

 

That’s it! 

This Day of the Dead craft is so simple and yet so much fun! It’s easy enough for toddlers, preschoolers, and pre k children to make at home or in the classroom. 

We just love how each and every one of ours came out. There are really endless combinations and varieties that kids can come up with! It’s an easy way to work on kids’ creativity! 

Skills Kids Work On With This Craft

Like all art activities for kids, this sugar skull craft provides lots of opportunities for kids to work on developmental skills. 

Since the sugar skull template is intricate, it allows lots of opportunities for kids to develop their fine motor skills. Whether your child uses crayons, markers, or paint, they’ll have to use small, deliberate actions to get the colors in every place they want it! 

If you use glitter, they’ll also be able to work on increasing their hand strength as they squeeze dabs of glue all over the paper. 

Kids will also work on creativity as they imagine how they want their skull to look when they’re finished. 

Of course, working on a detailed project like this one will require focus and concentration. Once they’ve completed it, they’ll also feel a boost in confidence knowing that they worked hard to achieve their final project! 

Share With Us

Did you make these sugar skulls with your kids or students? We love seeing how amazing your art project turn out! If you make these be sure to snap a picture and share it with us on our Facebook page or in our private Facebook group. 

More Art Projects For Kids 

• Easy Fish Painting For Kids
• How To Draw Forky From Toy Story 4
• How To Make Easy Turtle Painted Rocks For Kids
• Scribble Art For Kids

Spooky season is here and what better way to celebrate than with this delightful candy corn headband craft! This candy corn headband craft is a wonderful way for kids to improve their fine motor skills and follow instructions. The craft is simple, engaging, and easy to make!

More Halloween Ideas For Kids

Free Sugar Skull Template