Are you trying to celebrate the Day of the Dead with kids this year? Keep scrolling to find out how to make an adorable sugar skull craft for kids.
This sugar skull craft for kids was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
I love that we live in a world where Dia de los Muertos exists.
When I grew up in Seattle, we only celebrated Halloween. In fact, I’d never heard of the Day of the Dead or even seen any sugar skull decorations or anything.
It was really only about 10 years ago that I started hearing more about this awesome Mexican holiday that’s all about celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed away.
Instead of it being a creepy holiday, it’s a joyous one filled with love, laughter, and lots of yummy food!
We can all use a bit more joy in our lives, which is why my family is adding some Day of the Dead crafts and activities into our fall celebrations this year. And we’re reading lots of Day of the Dead children’s books.
One way we do that is with this adorable sugar skull project.
It’s pretty easy to do with kids of all ages (yes, even teens!) And you can just order the supplies on Amazon, which makes it even easier.
Keep scrolling to learn how to make sugar skulls.
Celebrating Dia de los Muertos this year?
Sugar skulls are a traditional Mexican craft that is perfect for kids of all ages. They’re easy to make and look beautiful!
I’m going to show you how it’s done with step-by-step instructions, so you can have a gorgeous sugar skull on your table or in your window as part of the Day of the Dead tradition.
You’ll even learn how to make one using supplies from Amazon. It’s an easy activity for kids (and adults) of all ages!
Get started by reading my easy sugar skull tutorial below. Then order everything you need from Amazon and get ready to create something beautiful together!
Happy crafting, friends 🙂
Dia de los Muertos Project for Kids: Sugar Skull Craft
Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Craft Supplies Needed
- 1 paper mache sugar skull (you can also find this at Michael’s)
- White matte acrylic paint
- Foam paint brush
- Paint pens
- Paper flowers
- Self-adhesive gems
- Glue dots
How to Make this Easy Day of the Dia de los Muertos Project:
If you want your skull to be white like mine, use a thin brush and carefully cover every inch of the mask with acrylic paint in a nice even coat (you may need two coats).
Be sure not to let any spots slip by! Let your mask dry completely before moving on.
Grab your paint pens and your sugar skull to create a Day of the Dead-inspired design. If you need some ideas, here are some sugar skull ideas.
Add your own creative touch to this Dia de los Muertos project by including paper flowers and adding them using glue dots.
You can also add self-adhesive gems over the top of these for a more aesthetic look!
Now you’re ready to hang your Day of the Dead sugar skull on the wall for super cute (and handmade) Dia de los Muertos decorations!
Dia de los Muertos Skull Craft FAQs
Sugar skulls are a beautiful and unique way to honor the return of departed souls. Each one is painted with care and has a name written on its forehead for easy identification. Sugar skulls are often placed at an altar celebrating Dia de los Muertos. Sugar skull makers put all they have into each piece. Creating them takes time but is well worth the effort!
Nope! Despite popular belief, sugar skulls aren’t scary. They are meant to show the joy and happy memories you remember when thinking of a lost loved one. People also paint their faces with these skull designs to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.
Sugar skulls are iconic for the Day of the Dead in Mexico. They’re made of clay molded sugar, and decorated with feathers, colored beads, and foils or icing. These colorful, whimsical skull decorations aren’t scary at all! They are meant to celebrate life and happy memories.
Kid-Friendly Sugar Skull Craft Wrap Up
Now you know how to make a simple sugar skull craft for kids. It’s important to buy the materials ahead of time to make sure they arrive before Dia de los Muertos.
We hope this blog post has given you enough information about these lovely sugar skull crafts so now it’s up to you whether or not you want your little ones crafting their own Day of the Dead masterpiece.
We wish your family luck in celebrating one of Mexico’s most unique traditions!
Love this sugar skull art project? Check out the best Day of the Dead children’s books and more awesome Day of the Dead crafts and activities!
How to Make a Sugar Skull Craft for Kids
Learn how to make this easy Day of the Dead craft for kids of all ages. It's the perfect DIY Day of the Dead decoration for home or at school.
Materials
- Paper mache sugar skull
- White matte acrylic paint
- Foam paint brush
- Paint pens
- Paper flowers
- Self-adhesive gems
- Glue dots
Instructions
- Cover the paper mache mask in white paint and allow to dry completely.
- Decorate the sugar skull using the paint pens.
- Add paper flowers using the glue dots and self-adhesive gems to embellish your design.
- Hang your Day of the Dead sugar skull on the wall for super cute (and handmade) Dia de los Muertos decorations!