Want to celebrate Day of the Dead in your classroom but not sure how? Well then you’re in the right place!
Every culture has its own way of paying respects to loved ones who have passed away. In Mexican culture, Day of the Dead is celebrated over two days, November 1st and 2nd.
It celebrates and remembers the lives of friends and relatives who have passed, with the belief that, during this time, a connection is opened between the spirit world and the living world, allowing family and friends who have passed to return and visit.
Over the last hundred years, Mexican-Americans have introduced Día de los Muertos traditions to the United States, using the holiday to celebrate and share this aspect of their culture with their families and communities.
With over 37 million Mexican-Americans residing in the U.S., Día de los Muertos celebrations have been spreading throughout the country. And with the introduction of movies like Disney’s Coco and social media, students are eager to learn more!
Celebrating Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in your classroom is a great way to introduce students to a holiday full of colors, food, music and meaningful traditions.
During Day of the Dead, people honor deceased loved ones, combining celebration with remembrance in a way that’s joyful, not spooky.
Whether you’re new to this tradition or have celebrated it before, bringing Day of the Dead into your classroom can be a fun, educational experience. Read on to discover some fun and culturally appropriate ideas activities to use in your elementary classroom!
What is Day of the Dead?
Before diving into activities, it’s important to give students some background on what Day of the Dead is. Though it might sound like Halloween, it’s quite different.
The holiday is celebrated in Mexico (and by people of Mexican heritage around the world) on November 1st and 2nd. Rather than being scary, it’s a time for families to remember loved ones who have passed away, and to celebrate their lives with music, food, and bright decorations.
The belief behind Day of the Dead is that on these two days, the spirits of those who have died come back to visit their families. People build ofrendas (altars) in their homes, decorated with photos, flowers, candles, and favorite items of the deceased.
These altars are central to the celebration, as they invite spirits to return and enjoy the things they loved in life.
1. Discuss Cultural Respect
Celebrating Day of the Dead in the classroom is a wonderful way to introduce students to Mexican culture. However, it’s important to take the time to talk about cultural respect.
Explain to your students that while it’s great to participate in traditions from other cultures, it’s also important to understand and honor the meaning behind those traditions.
- Discussion Points:
– Talk about why Day of the Dead is celebrated and the importance of remembering loved ones.
– Discuss the differences between Day of the Dead and Halloween so students understand that this is a holiday of celebration, not fear.
– Encourage students to ask questions and share any concerns or thoughts they may have about the holiday.
Here are some great resources to help students learn about this special holiday and related vocabulary:
2. Build a Classroom Ofrenda (Altar)
The ofrenda is the heart of Day of the Dead. Setting up a classroom ofrenda can be a great way to bring this tradition to life in a meaningful, hands-on way.
- What You’ll Need:
– A small table or space where you can set up the altar.
– Pictures of famous figures, historical leaders, or even animals (it doesn’t have to be personal for students if they aren’t comfortable).
– Candles (you can use electric ones for safety).
– Tissue paper marigolds (we’ll talk about how to make these later).
– Small objects or decorations (like sugar skulls or other mementos).
- How to Do It:
Explain to your students that the ofrenda is where families leave items to welcome back the spirits of their loved ones. If your students want, they can bring in pictures of loved ones (pets included) to add to the altar.
If they don’t want to share something personal, encourage them to bring in pictures of important public figures or historical heroes they admire.
You can also place non-personal items, like books or favorite toys, to symbolize things loved by the classroom community, making sure to remain sensitive to any cultural or emotional concerns students may have when contributing to the ofrenda.
It’s important to give students an opportunity to express their feelings about losing loved ones. This sugar skull themed resource is a great way to do that:
Another way for students to create an ofrenda in a more private and personalized way is with a paper writing craft. This resource is FREE for you to use in your classroom and also comes with other fun activities to help celebrate Day of the Dead.
3. Make Papel Picado (Cut Paper Banners)
Papel picado is a traditional Mexican craft made from brightly colored tissue paper. The paper is cut into intricate designs and used to decorate homes, altars, and streets during the Day of the Dead celebration.
- What You’ll Need:
– Brightly colored tissue paper
– Scissors
– String (to hang the banners)
– Glue sticks or tape
- How to Do It:
– Start by folding the tissue paper in half and then into quarters.
Have students carefully cut small shapes into the folded edges of the paper. When they open it up, it will reveal a beautiful, symmetrical pattern.
– After each student makes several pieces of papel picado, attach them to a string and hang them across the classroom.
You could also have students color pieces of papel picado using this low prep resource! It also includes alebrije, Mexican embroidery, and Mexican talavera coloring pages!
4. Create Calaveras (Sugar Skulls)
One of the most iconic symbols of Day of the Dead is the calavera, or sugar skull. These colorful skulls are often made of sugar or clay and decorated with bright icing, sequins, or foil.
While making real sugar skulls can be a bit messy in a classroom setting, you can get creative by making paper or clay versions.
- What You’ll Need:
– Paper or clay (air-dry clay works well)
– Markers, paint, or colored pencils
– Glitter, sequins, or small decorative items for embellishment
- How to Do It:
If you’re using paper, have students draw large skull shapes and decorate them with colorful patterns, flowers, and designs. For clay, have students mold skull shapes and then decorate them once dry.
This is a fun opportunity to discuss the symbolism behind the calavera. Rather than being a scary skull, calaveras represent the deceased in a playful and lighthearted way, often showing them as happy or even dancing.
Let students know they can make their skulls as colorful and joyful as possible, reflecting the celebration of life.
If you’re looking for a way to include a writing element, you can try these Day of the Dead calavera crafts!
They come with writing prompts, brainstorming sheets, and even an acrostic poem to help students reflect on this meaningful holiday!
5. Make Tissue Paper Marigolds
Marigolds, or cempasúchil, are the official flower of Day of the Dead. They are believed to guide spirits back to the world of the living with their bright color and strong scent.
- What You’ll Need:
– Yellow or orange tissue paper
– Green pipe cleaners or string
- How to Do It:
– Stack about six sheets of tissue paper on top of one another.
– Fold the stack accordion-style, like making a paper fan.
Twist a pipe cleaner around the center of the folded tissue paper.
– Gently pull apart each layer of tissue to fluff it into a full, beautiful flower.
Students can make several marigolds to add to the ofrenda or use them to decorate the classroom.
This craft is simple and provides a great opportunity to talk about the cultural significance of marigolds in Day of the Dead celebrations.
6. Create an Alebrije
Alebrijes are colorful, fantastical creatures from Mexico that mix parts of different animals, like a lion’s body, dragon wings, and a snake’s tail.
They were first created by an artist named Pedro Linares in the 1930s after he dreamed of these magical creatures. Alebrijes are made from materials like paper, wood, or clay, and are painted in bright colors and patterns.
They are often used in festivals like Día de los Muertos to add color and excitement to the celebrations.
- How to Do It:
– Students can draw, color, or cut and paste different creature body parts to create an alebrije.
-They can also add traditional Mexican folk art patterns and details onto the alebrije and add a writing project where appropriate.
-Save time and prep with these alebrije writing crafts. They come with teaching materials, writing projects, and assessment worksheets ( reading comprehension, true or false, vocabulary etc.)
7. Try Traditional Day of the Dead Foods
Food is an important part of Day of the Dead celebrations. If possible, consider incorporating traditional foods into your classroom celebration.
You can either bring in food yourself or, if the school allows, ask students to contribute dishes.
- Popular Foods:
– Pan de muerto (bread of the dead): A sweet bread often flavored with orange or anise and shaped like bones.
– Sugar skulls: While real sugar skulls can be hard to come by, you can bring in cookies or cupcakes decorated with icing to look like colorful skulls.
Hot chocolate: Mexican hot chocolate is rich, spiced with cinnamon, and makes for a warming treat.
If bringing food into the classroom isn’t an option, you can still talk about these traditional foods and maybe even watch a video or read a book that describes them in detail.
8. Watch a Movie or Read a Book
There are several wonderful movies and books about Day of the Dead that can help students better understand the holiday.
- Movie and Book Suggestions:
– Coco: This animated movie is a beautiful, heartwarming exploration of family, memory, and Day of the Dead traditions.
It’s a perfect classroom pick and can spark meaningful discussions about the holiday. If you don’t have time for the full movie, you can play a short clip or read the book version:
– “Celebrate the Day of the Dead!” by Diane de Anda: Cristina celebrates Día de los Muertos with her family by decorating an alter, going to a parade, and cooking delicious foods.
– “Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life” by Polo Orozco: This book is a great read-aloud about how Day of the Dead is celebrated.
– “Diá de los Muertos” by Hannah Elio: Full of vibrant illustrations by Golden Globe–winning Mexican illustrator Jorge Gutierrez, this book honors ancestors and loved ones who have passed.
– “Celebrating Día de los Muertos: History, Traditions, and Activities – A Holiday Book for Kids” by Melanie Stuart-Campbell: This is a great book for teaching your students about different ways that Day of the Dead is celebrated (parades, storytelling, music, and food). It includes hands-on activities like baking traditional food and craft activities.
– “Mi Familia: Celebrating the Day of the Dead” by Camila Hernandez: Valentina and her family celebrate Day of the Dead by visiting the cemetery, decorating her home, baking pan de muerto, listening to her grandfather’s singing, and going to festivals with her sister Sofia.
9. Decorate with Skeletons
Skeletons, or calacas, are another symbol of Day of the Dead. But like sugar skulls, these skeletons are not spooky! Instead, they are often depicted as happy, dancing, and celebrating.
- What You’ll Need:
– White construction paper
– Black paper for the background
– Scissors
– Glue
- How to Do It:
Students can create their own skeletons by cutting out bone shapes from white paper and arranging them into fun, dancing poses on black paper.
They can give their skeletons personality by adding hats, instruments, or even festive clothing. These skeletons can be hung around the classroom to add to the Day of the Dead decorations.
If you would like a ready-to-go, no prep version, feel free to grab this FREE calacas crafts!
10. Learn a Day of the Dead Song
Music is a big part of Day of the Dead celebrations. Traditional Mexican music like mariachi or ranchera can be played during class activities to create an authentic atmosphere.
You can also teach your students a simple Day of the Dead song can be a fun and interactive way to bring music into your celebration.
- Song Suggestions:
– “La Llorona”: This traditional Mexican folk song is often sung during Day of the Dead celebrations. You can find versions online that are appropriate for kids, and you can use it to discuss Mexican music and storytelling.
– “Remember Me”: Another great song is Remember Me from Disney’s Coco. It is sung together by a father and daughter, as a way for the daughter to remember her father after he moves away for his music career.
- How to Do It:
– Find a kid-friendly version of a Day of the Dead song and teach it to your class. You can have the lyrics printed out and discuss any new or unfamiliar Spanish words.
– As the class sings along, they can also clap, tap, or use classroom instruments to create a beat.
11. Host a Mini Day of the Dead Festival
After completing the crafts, activities, and lessons, why not host a small Day of the Dead festival in your classroom?
You can dedicate a portion of your day to sharing everything the students have created, from their papel picado to their calavera poems.
This can be a fun way for students to showcase their work while also solidifying what they’ve learned.
- What You Can Include:
– A display area for the ofrenda and all of the crafts the students made.
– A showing of Coco or a related video to tie everything together.
– Sharing of stories and memories, if students feel comfortable.
To make it extra special, consider incorporating traditional Mexican music and decorations, and even sharing some of the foods or treats (like the ones mentioned earlier) if it’s allowed.
This mini-festival can serve as a fun conclusion to your Day of the Dead celebration and leave students with lasting memories of the experience.
12. Reflect and Discuss
Finally, after all the activities, take some time to reflect with your students.
Ask them what they learned about Day of the Dead, what they enjoyed the most, and if they felt any connections to the holiday’s themes of family and remembrance.
- Questions for Reflection:
– What do you think is the most important part of Day of the Dead?
– Why do you think people want to remember their loved ones in a happy way?
– How is Day of the Dead different from other holidays we celebrate?
This reflection time can help solidify the lessons learned during the activities, and it also opens the door for deeper discussions about cultural diversity and respect.
Wrap up
Celebrating Day of the Dead in your classroom is a fantastic way to teach students about Mexican culture, history, and traditions.
Through hands-on activities, storytelling, and thoughtful reflection, students can learn that this holiday is about celebrating life, not just death.
It’s a time to remember loved ones with joy, not sadness.
By creating a classroom ofrenda, making traditional crafts like papel picado and marigolds, and enjoying traditional foods, your students can experience the beauty and depth of this important holiday in a meaningful way.
Plus, by ending with a fun classroom festival and reflection, you’ll give your students a rich, memorable experience they’ll cherish for years to come.
With these activities and ideas, your Day of the Dead celebration will not only be educational but also full of color, joy, and cultural understanding.
I really hope you’ll try out a few of these ideas to celebrate Dia de los Muertos!
If you do, I’d love if you tagged me on Instagram so that I can share in your celebration!
Feel free to grab this discounted bundle to get the resources mentioned in this article at an incredible price!
And if you’re looking for more Hispanic Heritage activities, you can read about lots of great ideas here!
Wishing you a memorable Day of the Dead!
Until next time,
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