Come and take a virtual tour of Day of the Dead for kids! Learn about the history and symbolism on this virtual field trip and be inspired with ways your family can celebrate Día de los Muertos– perfect for global education at home or for a homeschooling unit.
Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated November 1st and 2nd. Although it is a Mexican tradition, it is celebrated all over the world. It is a beautiful celebration of our ancestors and the family ties that connect us.
Table of contents
- Main facts to know
- Learn about Day of the Dead symbols
- Virtual Tour of the Los Angeles Day of the Dead Festival
- Learn how sugar skulls are made
- Read a Day of the Dead book for kids
- How to build an ofrenda
- DIY ideas for your ofrenda
- Ways to celebrate Day of the Dead with kids
- Some recipes you may like to make for Día de los Muertos
Main facts to know
- The Day of the Dead celebrations of today are a mix of ancient pre- Colombian celebrations from the Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs and Christian celebrations brought by the Spanish colonizers.
- Altars, known as ofrendas, are loaded with symbolic decor like candles, flowers, cut paper banners, pictures of the deceased ancestors, skulls called calaveras, drinks, and lots of food. Each of these represent a different element- air, earth, fire, and water.
- Day of the Dead is a celebration and reminder of the lives of family and friends who are no longer with us.
- Children are honored on November 1st and those who were adults on November 2nd. The belief is that the spirits of the deceased ancestors can come and reunite with their families and enjoy the celebrations.
Follow our Pinterest board for more Day of the Dead ideas for kids
Learn about Day of the Dead symbols
Virtual Tour of the Los Angeles Day of the Dead Festival
Learn how sugar skulls are made
Read a Day of the Dead book for kids
Buy the book here:
Amazon: Día de los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Carles Ballesteros
Youtube read aloud of Día De Los Muertos
More book ideas are available here: https://teachinglatinamericathroughliterature.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/reading-roundup-10-childrens-books-about-dia-de-los-muertos/
https://mom.com/entertainment/15658-childrens-books-celebrate-day-of-the-dead
How to build an ofrenda
DIY ideas for your ofrenda
How to draw a sugar skull
How to make papel picado
How to make pan de muerto
Other DIY resources
https://www.instagram.com/florafamiliar/
Ways to celebrate Day of the Dead with kids
- Have kids interview a grandma, grandpa, or other relative about some of their family members.
- What is your favorite memory of the person?
- What is something funny or odd they always did or said?
- What is a trait that they had that you admired?
- What kind of foods did they like? Favorite food or treat?
- learn more about your ancestors
- Where are they from? Did they always live in one spot or did they move or immigrate?
- How many siblings and children did they have?
- What was popular during the time period they were alive?
- volunteer to clean your local cemetery or to clean the tombs or grave markers. If you are able to visit family gravesites, go and do headstone rubbings or take pictures to share with family.
Some recipes you may like to make for Día de los Muertos
Find more recipe ideas here
https://www.mexicoinmykitchen.com/pan-de-muerto-mexican-bread-of-dead/
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