Day of the Dead…A colorful and joy-filled festival, celebrated in many Latin American countries on Nov 1-2, to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.

Try one of these age-appropriate ways to explore this colorful festival with your aventurero/a!

Ask: how is it similar or different to to the Halloween traditions in our culture?*

• Bake some Day of the Dead bread (pan de muerto) to enjoy with hot chocolate or make some atole, a special drink often enjoyed at this festival.

• Make festive colorful wall hangings (or papel picado ) using this template (either print on colored paper or print and color yourself!) - or try the authentic (more challenging) way with scissors!

• Have fun coloring calaveras (skulls) using coloring by number

• Older kids may enjoy making a shoebox altar or an altar in a jar for a loved one whom they remember

• See how Guatemalans celebrate this festival with incredible hand-made kites!

• Read or watch a read-aloud of two of my favorite childrens’ storybooks about Día de los muertos, by Bob Barner or by Roseanne Greenfield Thong! Both available to rent at dmpl.org!

• Watch the movie Coco (PG), if age-appropriate

• Watch a video that explains what kind of things families gather and do to honor and remember their loved ones (please preview video to ensure it is age-appropriate for your child)

  Community events around Des Moines

• Día de muertos at the Des Moines Arts Center

  • making flores de papel (paper flowers) with artist Justin Favela

  • memorial presentation online honoring local Latinx Iowans

  Día de Muertos at Des Moines Public Libraries

  • October 25-31: Pick up a Day of the Dead Activity Kit with the Des Moines Art Center, All Locations

  • October 28-November 3: Día de Muertos Ofrenda, East Side Library

  • November 1-2: Day of the Dead Suncatchers, South Side Library

  • November 1: Day of the Dead Luminaries / Día de Muertos Luminarias, Franklin Avenue Library

Important: You know your child best! If you feel that your child is not ready to see the joy behind the skeletons, skulls and the cemetery, then save this for when he/she is older! Or, just focus on crafts and books that you feel are age and stage appropriate to your child. Enjoy to their level!