Homeschooling with Día de los Muertos: Fun Activities for Kids

This week in our homeschool, we explored Día de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead—a vibrant Mexican holiday that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed on. I wanted to give my kids a hands-on, age-appropriate way to learn about cultural traditions while connecting the lesson to themes of love, memory, and family.

Each year, my kids and I make the ofrenda (altar) and adorn it with photos of the loved ones we’ve lost. It’s a great way for me to share stories about their relatives, great grandparents and friends they may never have met. I hope they will continue this tradition every November 1 – 2.

Step-by-Step Día de los Muertos Homeschool Lesson Plan

For Kindergarten–3rd Grade | Cross-Curricular: Social Studies, ELA, and Art
(Aligned with Tennessee State Standards)

Objective: This hands-on Día de los Muertos homeschool lesson helps children build cultural awareness, reading comprehension, and creativity through meaningful activities. Focus on one or two parts each homeschool day, and adapt for multi-age learning.

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What You’ll Need for Your Día de los Muertos Homeschool Lesson

Recommended Books:

• Día de los Muertos by Hannah Eliot (Toddlers), or watch the readaloud version on Youtube here.
• Clatter Bash! by Richard Keep (Ages 4-8)
• Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago (Ages 4-8)
• Mi Familia Calaca / My Skeleton Family by Cynthia Weill (Age 5-6 years)

Craft Supplies:

• Construction paper (bright colors)
• Tissue paper (orange and yellow for marigolds)
• Scissors, glue, crayons, paint and markers
• Paper plates or cardstock for sugar skulls
• Battery tea lights or LED candles for your ofrenda
• Small box or tray for a class or family ofrenda

Videos to Explore:

• PBS LearningMedia: Día de los Muertos | All About the Holidays
• Sesame Street: Day of the Dead Song
• Maya & Miguel: Celebrate the Day of the Dead episode
• Things to Know About Día de los Muertos (great for ages 6+)

Part 1: Storytime & Discussion (ELA + Social Studies)

Objective: Learn what Día de los Muertos is and why it’s celebrated.

Start your lesson with a read-aloud from one of the recommended picture books like Día de los Muertos by Hannah Eliot or Clatter Bash! by Richard Keep. Pause to ask:

• Who are the people in this story remembering?
• What kinds of things make them happy as they remember?

Tennessee Standard Alignment:

• ELA (K.FL.PA.1, 1.RL.KID.1): Ask and answer questions about a text.
• Social Studies (K.02, 1.03): Identify cultural traditions and celebrations in the community.

💡 Teacher Tip: Emphasize that Día de los Muertos is not Halloween—it’s a celebration of love, life, and memory.

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Part 2: Create Paper Marigolds (Art + Culture)

Objective: Explore Mexican symbols and practice fine motor skills.

Marigolds, or cempasúchil, are the traditional flowers used on ofrendas. Have your child layer orange and yellow tissue paper squares, fold accordion-style, tie with string, and gently fluff the petals.

Discussion Prompt: Why do you think families use flowers to decorate their ofrendas?
(Answer: The bright colors and scent are believed to help guide spirits home!)

Tennessee Standard Alignment:

• Visual Arts (K.VA.Cr1.A): Explore and experiment with materials and tools to create art.

📸 Homeschool Hack: Take a photo of your child holding their marigold to add to your homeschool portfolio!

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💀 Part 3: Decorate Sugar Skulls (Art + Math + Fine Motor)

Objective: Recognize patterns and symmetry while learning cultural symbols. The design of a calavera is mirrored.

Calavera (sugar skull) option 1: Use paper plates or cardstock to draw sugar skull outlines. Kids can design them with bright patterns, hearts, and flowers—encouraging symmetry and creativity.

Calavera option 2: Alternatively, you can draw a calavera with school glue on cardstock and cover in salt. Once dried, water color over the salt and watch the paint spread. You can also use your paper marigolds to decorate your calavera!

Tennessee Standard Alignment:

• Math (K.G.A.2): Identify and create symmetrical shapes.
• Visual Arts (1.VA.Cr2.A): Use art elements to communicate ideas.

🖍️ Extension Idea: Use markers, sequins, or foil to add shimmer—representing the idea that memories sparkle forever.

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Part 4: Build a Mini Ofrenda (Social Studies + Writing)

Objective: Demonstrate understanding of remembrance and family traditions.

Create a small family altar (ofrenda) on a table or box. Decorate the ofrenda using your marigolds, sugar skulls, candles, and a framed photo or drawing of someone your child wants to remember.

Invite them to write or dictate a short note:

“I remember ___ because ___.”

Tennessee Standard Alignment:

• ELA (1.W.TTP.2): Write an informative sentence about a topic.
• Social Studies (2.13): Describe cultural practices that bring communities together.

🎶 Add Music: Play a PBS Kids Día de los Muertos song or a traditional mariachi tune while you decorate.

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📚 Part 5: Reflect & Share (Speaking + Listening)

Objective: Retell information and express learning in complete sentences.

End your lesson by asking your child:

• What is Día de los Muertos about?
• What was your favorite part of the activity?

Encourage them to share their art and what they learned with a family member or friend.

Tennessee Standard Alignment:

• ELA (K.SL.PKI.4): Speak audibly to express thoughts and ideas clearly.

Extension Resources

• The Smithsonian Learning Lab
• National Museum of Mexican Art (free books)
• PBS Kids for Parents – Day of the Dead Books
• Lesson Plan by Reading A – Z

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🪶 Wrap-Up: Why This Lesson Matters

This Day of the Dead homeschool activity goes beyond crafts—it nurtures empathy, gratitude, and global understanding. By integrating literature, art, and cultural studies, your children learn that remembrance can be joyful, and that beauty can grow from every tradition. Download the Día de Los Muertos activity pack to dive deeper into the symbols of this important holiday. Resources are in English & Spanish.