Day of the Dead
How to celebrate Day of the Dead in America
Kids and adults alike are fascinated with the "Day of the Dead," a three day
celebration that commences at a local cemetery, known in Mexico as "El Dia de los
muertos." If you're wondering what is Day of The dead and next, how might you
celebrate it with kids in America, then read on.
Wondering what is Day of the Dead? Here's a quick guide to this interesting holiday.
Day of the Dead is a party! The holiday is actually an ancient Aztec celebration of
death. Festivities for Day of The Dead start October 31 extend through November 2.
It's not a funeral, but a celebration of ongoing life where traditionally families of
Mexico gather to the graves of their relatives and friends who've passed to remember
their lives and welcoming them back to take part in the celebration. Here's how
families celebrate Day of the Dead:
Day of the Dead lasts two nights and three days. The first night of Day of the Dead is
Halloween night where families celebrate children who have died. The next nights
they remember and honor adults who've passed
Wondering how you might celebrate Day of the Dead with kids in America?
While you might not want to visit a cemetery on Halloween or a dark November night,
you might well prepare some of the festivities at home with your children and
remember your friends and family who've passed on in honor of this exciting holiday.
Here's how you might celebrate Day of the Dead with kids in America:
How to celebrate Day of the Dead in America
Kids and adults alike are fascinated with the "Day of the Dead," a three day
celebration that commences at a local cemetery, known in Mexico as "El Dia de los
muertos." If you're wondering what is Day of The dead and next, how might you
celebrate it with kids in America, then read on.
Wondering what is Day of the Dead? Here's a quick guide to this interesting holiday.
Day of the Dead is a party! The holiday is actually an ancient Aztec celebration of
death. Festivities for Day of The Dead start October 31 extend through November 2.
It's not a funeral, but a celebration of ongoing life where traditionally families of
Mexico gather to the graves of their relatives and friends who've passed to remember
their lives and welcoming them back to take part in the celebration. Here's how
families celebrate Day of the Dead:
- Bringing bouquets of Marigolds, and carrying candles, the people of Mexico drop
a path of petals to help their ancestral spirits find their way to the party. - Families tend to the graves to renew the grounds with fresh flowers and other
decorations, and build an alter which includes things the deceased person
enjoyed in his or her lifetime. - They come with candles in hand to place salt and water in small bowls (symbols
of ongoing life). - Families picnic at the graves and feast on empanadas, tomales, chocolate and
chile chicken mole and traditional Mexican specialities. - They serve and display "Bread of the Dead" (pan de meurtos), a sweet bread
decorated like a person or skull and often with a skeleton baked inside (prized
tokens of the celebrations). Other sweet offerings, include sugar skulls. - Together, the families dance and sing and remember well into the night.
- Other ways the townspeople celebrate include playing music, having parades
and dressing in skeleton outfits.
Day of the Dead lasts two nights and three days. The first night of Day of the Dead is
Halloween night where families celebrate children who have died. The next nights
they remember and honor adults who've passed
Wondering how you might celebrate Day of the Dead with kids in America?
While you might not want to visit a cemetery on Halloween or a dark November night,
you might well prepare some of the festivities at home with your children and
remember your friends and family who've passed on in honor of this exciting holiday.
Here's how you might celebrate Day of the Dead with kids in America:
- Head to the library and read a "Day of The Dead" story. Talking with kids about
traditions in different cultures enriches their understanding, and reading books
is a wonderful way to share the rich cultural diversity that America offers. If you
want to read with your children, here are some excellent choices (and your
librarian may have others to suggest):
- "Day of The Dead," written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Jeanette
Winter - "The Fesitival of Bones" by Luis San Vicente includes a wonderful poem
and recipes for making your won Pan de Muerto or sugar skulls. There
are also wonderful suggestions for building an alter.
- Eat foods in honor of someone who's passed. Day of the Dead is a celebration of
special foods, so entertain the idea of serving a Mexican feast that your kids
will love, or honor a relative by serving a special dish of a relative who has
passed. Did Grandfather enjoy mom's chocolate chip cookies? Was tuna
casserole Grandma's favorite? Serve a meal just to honor their favorite foods,
then talk to your kids all about their lives. Telling stories about
- Make a diorama alter. You and your child can design cardboard box as a mini
alter to celebrate grandparents or another loved one who has passed. Using a
shoe box, you can paint and glue small items in honor of the deceased person
or people you are celebrating.
- Design a bracelet or crazy hat. To honor and remember relatives who've died,
children can arrange a vase, create a special bracelet, or design a fun hat.
These are "ofrendas" or offerings to give thanks to them.
- Make a lesson of Day of the Dead. Want more information on Day of the Dead?
mrdonn.org offers a Day of the Dead Lesson Plan.
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(C) Copyright 2009-2012 by M.C. Nygard. All rights reserved.
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See our other kids parties and pony parties.
Why cute party ideas? We know kids parties and kids party supplies! Get tips from a former supplier of small toys and
party supplies. You get all the best ideas for a party on one page. Other sites list boring and unnecessary details,
while Cute Party Ideas give you all the details you need to host a great party on one page.
(C) Copyright 2009-2012 by M.C. Nygard. All rights reserved.
Linking to this party planning site is permitted. HOWEVER, no part of this content may be reproduced, or stored in any
retrieval system, or transmitted in any other form or by any means including but not limited to electronic, mechanical,
photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the written consent of the author. The author makes no warranties
express or implied. Works are protected by copyscape. We love to link to quality sites! Write us at Twitter.
See our other kids parties and pony parties.
Why cute party ideas? We know kids parties and kids party supplies! Get tips from a former supplier of small toys and
party supplies. You get all the best ideas for a party on one page. Other sites list boring and unnecessary details,
while Cute Party Ideas give you all the details you need to host a great party on one page.
This article is by M.C. Nygard, right, a
former eBay Platinum Powerseller of
party supplies. She's the mother of
two. Follow her on Twitter.
former eBay Platinum Powerseller of
party supplies. She's the mother of
two. Follow her on Twitter.
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