Papel picado is a Mexican folk art made by cutting paper into intricate designs. Common themes found in this craft are birds, flowers and skeletons and they are made often for Easter, Christmas, the Day of the Dead, and weddings etc.

Check out the Papel Picado we made for our Mexican Theme Day!

Crafts

PAPER MARIGOLDS:

No Day of the Dead Theme Day would be complete without marigolds (see the Learning Pagefor why) and I found a gorgeous paper headpiece here: https://jamonkey.com/paper-mexican-marigold-flower-headpiece-craft/

I won’t give my own instructions as I think this blogger did a wonderful job herself complete with photo instructions. We didn’t make a headpiece and only opted for a single flower.

DAY OF THE DEAD NAME SKELETONS:

I found this idea here: http://eclecticchica.blogspot.ca/2012/11/dia-de-los-muertos-name-skeletons.html

Materials: White paper, child safe scissors, glue stick, black paper, coloured paper, markers, (optional) other things to glue onto the project like feathers or sequins, and white glue for this step.

Step 1: Fold the piece of white paper in half and have your child write his/her name along the fold in cursive writing.You may have to help younger children and even older ones.
Step 2: Cut out around the writing on both layers, leaving the fold in place.
Step 3: Carefully cut out any spaces in the letters as well.
Step 4: Carefully open the paper to reveal the “name skeleton.”
Step 4: Glue a coloured rectangle onto the black paper and then glue the skeleton on top of that.
Step 5: On a separate white sheet of paper have your children draw a skull and hands to cut out and glue to the skeleton.
Step 6: Decorate with coloured markers or more paper.The website we found this craft on also glued materials like feathers and jewels. These will require white glue and then will require extra drying time.
Step 7: once dry display the skeletons or glue into your Family Theme Day Scrapbook!

VARIOUS GLOWING SKULL LANTERNS:

VARIATION 1 – CLEAR PLASTIC CUPS:

Materials: Clear plastic cups, permanent markers, tissue paper, LED lights.

Step 1: We painted a white skull blob shape on one cup to see what that would look like and left the other two clear.
Step 2: Once the paint dried we drew on each cup using permanent markers.
Step 3: We set mini LED lights in each cup.

Verdict: We like the one with the painted skull better in the dark!

VARIATION 2 - JARS:

Materials: clean and empty jars, permanent markers, white paint (optional) glow sticks.

Step 1: We painted a white skull blob shape on one jar to cover the paper from the label that was still sticking to the glass.

Step 2: Once the paint dried we used permanent markers to decorate.
Step 3: For the large jar we used a glow stick in tact, snapped it to glow and set in the jar. For the small jar we did the slightly more dangerous experiment of actually cutting open the glow stick (which was really difficult to do) and coating the inside of the jar with the liquid (adult step only). I don't recommend doing that. It's messy and not safe and not good for the environment. Next Halloween we will add LED lights to them instead.

Verdict: While the broken glow stick looked cooler it was difficult to break and scared me (who knows what toxins lurk there). For the unborken one we think it would look better with no painted skull.

Dia de los Muertos

The easiest crafts to make for this Theme Day are variations of the Day of the Dead Skulls. If you’ve got some coloured Sharpies or other permanent markers you are well on your way to creating some colourful crafts.

PAPER PLATE MASKS:

Materials: child safe scissors, white paper plate, skull template, markers, craft stick, duct tape.

Step 1: Use the template to trace a skull onto the plate but make the jaw extra long for a creepier fell by leaving the edge of the plate.

Step 2: (parent step) carefully cut out two eyes.

Step 3: Decorate with markers.

CALAVERA PAPEL PICADO

Materials: Tissue paper or coloured paper (we used coloured paper for our skulls), child safe scissors, masking tape (if hanging up).If you want use my papel Picado Calavera templateor have your kids freestyle it and see what they can create.

Step 1: Cut out the template and fold a piece of paper so that it fits the template with the dotted line along the folded edge.
Step 2: Carefully hold the template against the paper and cut the blackened pieces out. (Younger kids may need parental help for this craft).
Step 3: Carefully unfold to reveal your skull!
Step 4: Decorate your family altar or your window with these skulls.

Day of the Dead

DAY OF THE DEAD SKULL ROCKS:

Materials: Stones and rocks, white paint, paint brush, waxed paper, permanent markers.

Step 1: Paint the top of the rocks white to represent the skull shape. Let this dry on the waxed paper.

Step 2: Now they are ready to decorate using permanent markers.

DAY OF THE DEAD DOLLAR STORE SKULLS:

Materials: Dollar store skulls, permanent markers, your imagination (or look at photos from books or online).

Step 1: Use permanent markers to decorate the cheap plastic skulls you can find at a dollar store (this one cost $3). Done!

COLLAGE SKULLS:

I found this link with this craft on it:
http://modernart4kids.blogspot.ca/2011/11/dia-de-los-muertos-calavera-collage.html

Materials: template for skull, white paper, coloured paper, glue stick, child safe scissors.

Step 1: Trace the skull shape onto white paper and cut out.
Step 2: Paste onto coloured paper.
Step 3: Cut out other shapes to decorate the skull. We cut out white ovals for the neck bones, black circles for the eyes, black stripes for the mouth, a black heart for the nose, and various dots etc. My son added a nice feathered hat as well.
Step 4: Glue all the pieces together to create the calavera!

DAY OF THE DEAD PAINTED MINI PUMPKINS:

Materials: small pumpkins (preferably in white), permanent markers.

Step 1: Use permanent markers to decorate the tiny pumpkins. Super cute!