Día de los Muertos for Kids: Explore Mexico Through Art, Culture & Homeschool Activities
What if one art project could open the door to learning about another country’s traditions, history, and culture?
With Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) coming up on November 1–2, it’s the perfect time to take your homeschool on a little trip to Mexico without ever leaving your kitchen table!
This beautiful Mexican tradition offers a meaningful opportunity to explore family history, discover cultural traditions, and create art that helps children connect with what they’re learning.
And you don’t need an elaborate lesson plan or a cart full of new supplies to make it happen.
Inside the Art Makes Me Smart Membership, our Around the World: Mexico study brings geography, art, history, music, literature, and even cooking together into one creative learning experience.
Let’s take a peek at what your family can explore!
What Is Día de los Muertos?
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican celebration held on November 1 and 2 each year.
Although its name might sound a little spooky, Día de los Muertos isn’t the same as Halloween.
Instead, it’s a time when families honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Through colorful decorations, meaningful traditions, favorite foods, and family gatherings, people celebrate the lives and memories of those they love.
One of the most recognizable traditions is the ofrenda, a special display or altar created to remember deceased loved ones.
You might find:
- Marigolds: Bright orange flowers commonly used to decorate ofrendas.
- Candles: Representing light and remembrance.
- Papel picado: Beautifully cut paper banners that add color and symbolism.
- Family photographs: Honoring loved ones who have passed away.
- Favorite foods and drinks: Meaningful offerings connected to the people being remembered.
For children, learning about Día de los Muertos can open up thoughtful conversations about family traditions, memories, and the different ways cultures honor loved ones.
It’s also a beautiful example of how art can help us tell stories.
A Meaningful Día de los Muertos Art Project for Kids
One of our favorite projects from the Around the World: Mexico study is the Day of the Dead Ancestor Frame.
This hands-on art activity invites children to create a colorful frame around a photograph of a loved one who has passed away, incorporating symbols, patterns, and illustrations that represent that person’s life.
Maybe Grandma loved flowers. Perhaps Grandpa was always working in his garden. Or maybe a special family member was known for baking, sewing, or telling wonderful stories.
Children can use those memories as inspiration for their artwork.
How the project works
Start with a printed photograph and attach it to a piece of watercolor paper or cardstock.
Then invite your child to decorate the surrounding space with colorful designs, meaningful symbols, and patterns inspired by Mexican art.
Using crayons, markers, and watercolors, children can create a one-of-a-kind piece that celebrates their family history.
It’s more than an art project. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, share memories, and learn about the people who came before us.
Inside the membership: You’ll find step-by-step instructions, reference images, and guidance for creating this project as part of our complete Mexico study.
Explore Traditional Mexican Art with Amate Bark Painting
There’s another colorful art project waiting inside our Mexico study!
Amate Bark Painting introduces children to a traditional Mexican art form known for its vibrant colors, bold outlines, and beautiful designs.
Amate is a type of paper traditionally made from tree bark. Our project recreates the look and feel of this art using simple supplies you may already have at home.
Children use brown paper, black oil pastels, and colorful paint to create their own artwork inspired by traditional designs.
One of the best parts? The lesson also introduces symmetry, connecting art and math in a natural, hands-on way!
Children fold their paper, transfer their designs, and add beautiful colors to bring their creations to life.
It’s exactly the kind of learning we love at Art Makes Me Smart—where creativity leads the way and other subjects naturally follow.
Keep Exploring Mexico Beyond the Art Table
Of course, learning about Mexico doesn’t have to stop when the paintbrushes are put away.
Our Around the World: Mexico study makes it easy to extend your homeschool learning into other subjects.
1. Discover Mexico’s Geography
Find Mexico on a world map and explore its incredible landscapes.
From mountains and deserts to tropical rainforests and beautiful coastlines, Mexico is home to an amazing variety of environments.
Children can also color the Mexican flag, learn about its symbols, and discover interesting facts about the country.
2. Read Books About Mexico and Día de los Muertos
Books are one of our favorite ways to bring a country and its traditions to life.
A few selections from our Mexico study include:
- Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh
- The Spirit of Tío Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story by Janice Levy
- In My Family/En mi familia by Carmen Lomas Garza
Gather a few from your local library, curl up together, and let the stories spark conversation.
Our complete study includes an extensive book list with options for different ages, including older readers.
3. Bring Mexico Into Your Kitchen
One of the easiest ways to learn about another culture is through food!
Inside our Mexico study, you’ll find recipes for traditional favorites, including:
- Homemade guacamole
- Mexican rice
- Posole
- Fresh salsa
- Horchata
Let your kids help measure ingredients, prepare a recipe, and enjoy something new together.
Cooking can bring in math, practical life skills, and plenty of opportunities to learn about Mexican food traditions.
4. Listen to Mexican Music
Turn on some traditional Mexican music while your children work on their art projects!
Our study includes resources introducing children to mariachi music, traditional songs, and Mexican dance.
It’s a wonderful way to experience another part of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.
Make It a Simple Homeschool Afternoon
You don’t have to complete an entire unit study in one day.
In fact, we encourage families to choose the activities that fit their interests and homeschool rhythm.
Here’s one simple way to explore Día de los Muertos together:
Start with a story. Read a picture book about Día de los Muertos and talk about its meaning.
Create something beautiful. Work on an ancestor frame and share stories about your family’s history.
Explore Mexico. Find the country on a map, color its flag, and discover a few interesting facts.
Finish with something delicious. Prepare guacamole or another Mexican recipe together.
That’s an afternoon of art, geography, culture, reading, and hands-on learning—all connected by one meaningful theme.
And that’s what art-first learning is all about!
Take Your Homeschool Around the World with Art Makes Me Smart
Imagine having everything you need for a creative geography lesson already gathered in one place.
No endless Pinterest searching. No scrambling to find the right printables. No wondering how to connect your art project to the rest of your homeschool day.
That’s what we’re building inside the Art Makes Me Smart Membership.
Our Around the World collection invites your family to explore countries through art, geography, culture, literature, music, and hands-on activities.
The Mexico study includes:
- Two beautiful art projects with step-by-step guidance
- Printable project outlines and reference images
- Geography and cultural information
- A Mexican flag coloring page
- Curated book recommendations
- Educational videos and music resources
- Traditional Mexican recipes
- Discussion questions for younger and older children
And Mexico is just one of the many creative learning experiences waiting for your family.
Beyond geography, the membership is filled with watercolor and drawing lessons, nature studies, artist studies, math and art connections, unit studies, and so much more.
Everything is designed to make it easier to bring meaningful, creative learning into your homeschool—without adding more planning to your plate.
Ready to explore Mexico and so much more?
EXPLORE THE ART MAKES ME SMART MEMBERSHIP
Because learning doesn’t have to happen one subject at a time. Sometimes all it takes is a paintbrush, a little curiosity, and a willingness to explore something new.
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