Day of the Dead Art Game
Need a Day of the Dead art project for your bulletin board in October? Imagine these sugar skull drawings in your hallway with a writing prompt. The step by step drawing tutorial and PowerPoint also makes perfect no prep, emergency art sub plans for elementary art and general ed teachers.
A fun roll a sugar skull game, ‘you pick’ worksheet, and digital spinners helps kids choose patterns. Moreover, boost their confidence and creativity.
And, it’ll help cash-strapped teachers like you plan Dia de los Muertos activities using only markers. Yes, you can watercolor paint with markers! This Day of the Dead project includes a sugar skull template for easy drawing.
Can I tell you a secret? It’s hard to get kids writing in ELA. When they’re not invested in it, they can’t connect with what they’re writing about. Mic drop!
Incorporating creative Dia de los Muertos art activities like my sugar skull project helps. Finally keep all kids engaged!
What’s Included
I’ve designed 3 different ways for students to attempt my art project for Day of the Dead. All will motivate kids to create! Choose which way works best for your classes:
- Roll a sugar skull game to add randomness to your student’s artwork
- “You Pick” art worksheet for kids to choose their own patterns
- Digital spinner wheels, so kids can randomly pick patterns and you can integrate technology
- Printable dice template in case you have no dice
- Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
- Sugar Skull Template which kids can draw directly on it or transfer it to heavy drawing paper
- Drawing practice worksheet, so kids can practice drawing patterns
- 2 Day of the Dead Writing Prompts, so you can tie this drawing project to literacy
- 2 Sugar Skull Coloring pages that you can use for absent students or hand out as a classroom prize
- Helpful Tips & Tricks handout with teacher directions to help guide the lesson
How to Use My Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Project for Elementary
The best part about this Day of the Dead art project is that it’s flexible and can be used in many ways throughout your classroom. It’s great for maternity or emergency art sub plans, early finisher activities, indoor recess, or even an after-school art club.
You Will Receive
- 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (Day of the Dead Art Project)
- 1 Non-Editable PowerPoint
- 5 Digital Spinner Videos (downloadable, and links to them on Google Slides and YouTube)
- Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource
Why You’ll Love It
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My fourth grade students had a great time designing their own sugar skull. Directions were clear, and the student handout offered a lot of choice.
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My kids love these with the dice aspect. I taught them about Day of the Dead and then let them create their own Sugar Skull using this resource….
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My first Dia de los Muertos experience was after I lost my best friend. I always knew that I wanted to bring that culture and hope and the lessons to my students. I know there are some great movies that go with the Big Idea – Book of Life is wonderful as well as Coco.
Soul is also another that touches on the love that doesn’t end with the heartbreak of death. With all the trauma experienced, I hope that we can take another look at how we deal with our children when they lose someone close, whether it be a person or their pet. Thank you for bringing in culture of my Mexican students to the classroom through art.
Terms of Use
Please refer to my complete terms of use prior to purchasing.
CK’s Clasroom (teacaher-Author) –
I have purchased several products from this store and I am never disappointed. As always. This is easy to use and keeps the kids very engaged. I usually pair this project up with a lesson on the Day of the Dead and follow it up by watching The Book of Life!
Katherine W. –
Thank you. These looked awesome on our bulletin board. The students enjoyed decorating these.
Josie Rounds –
I used this to help make a connection to Day of the Dead with color in my middle school classes. We used it after doing a “roll a monster” activity, where students roll a dice to make a monster and learn about body parts. We did this as a follow up to do the same thing with colors. Students really enjoyed creating a sugar skull and incorporating their knowledge of Spanish colors as they described their skulls to other students in class. Very fun and engaging and great cultural connections!
Paisley Bennett –
I used this with my 2nd graders when we learned about Day of the Dead. It was great for an independent center while I was working with students in a small group. Super cute!
Amanda E. –
This activity was a nice way to informally reflect on the elements we discussed in our Dia de Los Muertos unit. The students enjoyed having the freedom to choose their designs and were “wowed” by the combined use of markers and water w/ paint brush.
The Okayest Art Teacher (Teacher-Author) –
This was a great fast finisher activity for my art students! Thank you!
mahalia.rochelle (verified owner) –
Day of the dead- a project I usually always do with my 5th and 6th graders. I already have a similar sugar skull lesson but purchased this to help give students more ideas for designs/details. Supplemental information on the day of the dead holiday and sugar skulls specially could be very beneficial!