Sugar skulls are a traditional way to welcome the souls of the dead. Students can make sugar skulls either in class or at home to decorate. Depending on the age of the person you are teaching, you may want to make the skulls ahead of time and simply require the children to decorate them. The skulls are made by combining sugar, meringue powder and water. The mixture is then put into molds to form the front and back portions of a skull. After the skulls dry, the front and back halves are attached with royal icing to create a three-dimensional skull. Students can then decorate the skull with colored icing, sequins, beads, tin foil, buttons and glitter.
On Day of the Dead, families visit the deceased in cemeteries at night. It is not unheard of for celebrants to picnic on the graves of their loved ones. Create candle lanterns which depict either a traditional Dia de los Muertos picture or an image of what you might see if you visited the cemetery on Day of the Dead. The picture should be drawn on tin cans and punched out with a nail and a hammer. After the can is cleaned, a candle can be inserted in it to illuminate the picture.
Spark creativity in your students' minds by asking them to bring in small toys or objects which they believe represent Day of the Dead. The images can then be paired with clear rubber to appear as if they are suspended inside of a glass jar. The items should be strategically placed to tell the story or meaning of Dia de los Muertos.
Calavera is the Spanish word for skull, which is a key image used to portray Dia de los Muertos. Create and decorate skull masks with intricate designs. Younger kids can decorate paper masks, while older students transform newspaper into paper mache skull masks. Markers and paint can be used to draw spider webs, crosses, jewels and flower designs on the mask. The older the student, the more intricate the design should be.