ART CONNECTS KIDS
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Mexico

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What is Dia De Los Muertos?
  • Dia De Los Muertos is a holiday celebrating loved ones who have passed away.
  • 'Dia De Los Muertos' Translates in English to 'Day of the Dead'
  • It is believed that the passageway from our world to our passed loved ones opens during this 2-day celebration, so they can celebrate with their family.
  • Family members prepare for several weeks in advance for the tradition by creating altars, decorating burial sites, and cooking specific Day of the Dead food.
  • To decorate alters, family members collect marigold flowers, favorite foods of past loved ones, make paper sculptures called Papel Picado and decorate and present Sugar Skulls.​
  • Disney's 'Coco' is a fun and colorful movie that also discusses this topic. 
What are Sugar Skulls?
  • During Dia de Los Muertos, small decorated sugar skulls are placed on the altars.
  • ​There is nothing scary about these skulls, as they are sweet and decorated with frosting and edible glitter
  • They are often painted as smiling and are covered in many vibrant colors  
  • Skulls are also worn as colorful makeup as each color represents something within Mexican culture​​
  • Yellow – Represents the sun and unity, because "under the sun, we’re all the same."
  • Pink – Pink signifies happiness.
  • Purple –Purple represents mourning, grief and suffering
  • Red – Represents blood and life.
What is Papel Picado?
  • Papel picado is a traditional Mexican folk art made from colorful tissue paper that has designs cut out of it
  • Artists string the individual papers together to make banners that are used for a number of holidays and festivals. 
  • ​For the Day of the Dead, banners with skeleton themes, like this one, are hung around the offering and often in public squares as well.  
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*This project can get a little messy,  make sure to lay down a trash bag to catch any glue that has fallen. It is also recommended to have a parent nearby to help with any paper cutting. Make sure to check out our info page on Mexican Sugar Skulls, and check out our website for more!
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​What You'll Need:
  • Project Instruction Sheets
  • Construction Paper
  • Scissors
  • Craft Glue
Dia De Los Muertos Fact SHeet
Sugar Skull Supply List
Sugar Skull Instruction Sheet

1. Step One: Print out the blank Sugar Skull Template and trace it on whatever color paper you want your sugar skulls to be. Then cut out the skull.
2. Step Two: Then, pick a background color you want your composition to be on.
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3. Step Three: Like a snowflake, fold the background paper as many times as you’d like. Cut out any pattern or design.
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4. Step Four: Now, choose a piece of paper to place behind the cut out paper. Then, paste them together.
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5. Step Five: From here, choose where to paste your skull and cut out any shapes to frame it. Then, decorate the skull.
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This website and its content was created by undergraduate students in the Detroit Connections course at the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art and Design.

Detroit Connections is taught by faculty member Melanie Manos.  If you have questions please contact melmanos@umich.edu. 

Website support from Larrea Young (laryoung@umich.edu).

  • Home
  • Art Connects Kids
    • Sculpture >
      • How to Make Playdough
      • How to Papier-mâché
      • How to Make Human Figure with Bendy Wire
      • Share Your Work
    • Fibers Fun >
      • Quilted Blanket Project
      • Pom Pom Project
      • Wearables Project
    • Storytelling >
      • Build Your Character
      • How to Make a Story
      • How to Tell Your Story
    • Inspiration >
      • Become a Famous Painter
      • Collaging Your Feelings
      • Minimalist Landscapes
      • MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE
      • Watercolor Flowers
    • Crafts and Countries >
      • Australia
      • Mexico
      • Russia
      • India
      • China
  • YAAAA
    • Fibers >
      • Fibers Sculpture Project
      • Fibers Video Workshop
    • Sculpture >
      • Sculpture & Light Project
      • Lamp Making Video Workshop
    • Painting >
      • Sound & Painting Video Workshop
    • Animation
    • Illustration >
      • Illustration Project
      • Comic Through Song Video Workshop