Today we have a Day of the Dead mask craft for kids to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Kids of all ages will love turning ordinary paper plates into a decorated skull mask that can be used in Day of the Dead celebrations.
Paper Plate Day of the Dead Mask Craft for Kids
A Day of Dead mask is also known as a Calavera mask, are fun to make and it is a part of the Day of the Dead celebration holiday traditions. This Mexican holiday is super special because it honors family members and loved ones who have passed away.
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Supplies Needed for Making the Day of the Dead Masks:
- Paper plates
- Markers
- Rhinestones
- Glue
- Hole punch
- Ribbon, elastic band or craft sticks
- Craft knife
- Scissors
- Day of the dead skull outline printable template
Download & Print Day of the Dead Mask Template pdf File Here
Instructions on How to Make Dia de los Muertos Mask
Step 1
Print the skull template and cut the outline, eyes, and nose using scissors and a craft knife.
Step 2
Trace the outline of the skull and also the circles for the eyes and heart shape for nose on a paper plate.
Step 3
Make as many skull masks as you’d like with the paper plates and keep them aside until you’re ready to decorate.
Step 4
Use a black marker to add different patterns around the eyes and for the teeth portion of the masks.
Step 5
Now take the rhinestones in bright colors and glue to decorate your day of the dead masks. You can also use self-adhesive rhinestones if you planning to do this activity with younger kids.
Step 6
Allow the glue to dry. Cut the eyes and nose parts using a craft knife of the Dia de Los Muertos masks. You could also do this beforehand.
Step 7
Add holes on either side of the paper plate masks and then attach elastic or ribbon to the holes so you can wear the masks.
Or you could just glue a craft stick to use it as a photo prop on the Day of the Dead party. Now your Day of the Dead masks are ready.
Craft Modifications
If you don’t want to use rhinestones, you can create this beautiful Calavera masks just by using markers. Draw some basic flowers, leaves, and flourish patterns all around and ask kids to color them to complete the masks.
While we created this sugar skull mask specifically as Day of the Dead masquerade masks, they could be fun as part of your Halloween costumes.
Active Time
20 minutes
Total Time
20 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Cost
$2
Materials
- Paper plate – we used a white paper plate
- Markers
- Rhinestones
- Glue
- Ribbon, elastic band or craft sticks
- Day of the dead skull outline printable template
Tools
- Hole punch
- Craft knife
- Scissors
Instructions
- Print out the free Day of the Dead mask template of a skull or calavera and cut it out including the eyes and nose with scissors.
- Trace the template on the back of the paper plate.
- Repeat for as many skeleton masks as you want to make…
- Use a black marker to add patterns around the facial features of the skull.
- Take rhinestones and glue more decorative elements to your mask.
- Let glue dry.
- For craft stick mask: glue craft stick to the back side of the jaw area as a handle.
- For the band mask: punch a hole on either side above where the ear would be and thread either ribbon, string or an elastic band through.
More Masks Crafts for kids
BEAUTIFUL DAY OF THE DEAD PRINTABLES & KIDS CRAFTS
And if you are looking for even more Day of the Dead activities, look no further. Celebrate Dia de los Muertos by making masks with paper plates, make colorful papel picado, and even learn how to make the prettiest marigold with tissue paper…
How did your Day of the Dead mask craft turn out? Did you use it as a mask with a string or on a popsicle stick? How did you use it in your Day of the Dead festivities?
