Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skulls

Sugar Skulls are confections made in remembrance of lost loved ones. Use Crayola® Chalk, Glitter Glue, and dark paper to make symbolic sugar skulls for your Mexican Day of the Dead celebration.

• 1.

  Locate images of the sugar skulls used in observances Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations. Obtain authentic sugar skulls, if possible. Observe their details and bright, colorful ornamentation. Why does Mexico celebrate this multi-day holiday? What other countries have similar holidays? What do these holidays have in common?

• 2.

  Use Crayola Colored Drawing Chalk to draw a large skull on black paper.

• 3.

  Decorate the skull with Crayola Washable Glitter Glue. Use Crayola School Glue to attach sequins, metallic paper, or other recycled shiny craft items. Dry.

Benefits

• Children find information about the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), a major celebration in Mexican culture, and compare it to similar holidays in other cultures.
• Students research various folk arts and festive traditions associated with the Day of the Dead.
• Children draw replicas of sugar skulls, which are a prominent feature during Day of the Dead celebrations.

Adaptations

• Research information about the foods, flowers, masks, and other festivities that take place during the Day of the Dead celebration. Prepare and eat authentic Mexican foods.
• Invite a recent immigrant from Mexico to explain this widely celebrated holiday. Find samples of the many folk art decorations that are part of the celebration in ethnic markets.
• Obtain recordings of authentic Mexican music, such as a Mariachi band. Learn dances traditional to Mexico.
• Find a recipe for Sugar Skulls and work as a class to measure ingredients. Enlist the help of parent volunteers to manage oven use.