Let’s make a Day of the Dead mask craft for kids of all ages to celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead.  This simple Dia De Los Muertos Mask craft starts with our printable Day of the Dead mask template, an ordinary paper plate and whatever craft supplies you have around the house and transforms into a beautiful customized decorated sugar skull mask that can be used in Day of the Dead celebrations.

Dia De Los Muertos Masks You Can Make & Wear

A Day of Dead mask is also known as a Calavera mask (we often think of them as sugar skull masks, but a sugar skull is a type of Calavera (which is a representation of a human skull) and are an artistic delicacy made with sugar paste.

Each family member can make their our own Day of the Dead mask with our printable template. It is a fun craft to do together and then each can wear their Calavera masks as 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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Day of the Dead Mask Template You Can Print

Let’s start with the free printable Day of the Dead mask template pdf file that you can:

1. Download the Dia De Los Muertos Mask tempate pdf file by pressing the orange button below.
2. Use a printer to print the skeleton masks on white 8 1/2 x 11 size paper.
3. Keep reading to learn how to turn this sugar skull mask template into a mask you can wear.

Download our Printable Mask Template Here!

Paper Plate Day of the Dead Mask Craft for Kids

Supplies Needed for Making the Day of the Dead Masks

• Day of the dead skull outline printable template printed on paper-see above
• Paper plates
• Markers
• Rhinestones
• Glue
• Hole punch
• Ribbon, elastic band or craft sticks
• Craft knife
• Scissors

Instructions to Make Dia de los Muertos Mask

Step 1 – Cut Out the Mask Pattern

Using your printed Day of the Dead mask template, cut the outline, eyes and nose using scissors and a craft knife.

Tip: Kids may need help with this step. I often prepare the skull pattern ahead of time or save the one we made last year.

Step 2 – Trace the Skull Mask Template onto Paper Plate

Trace the outline of the skull and also the circles for the eyes and heart shape for nose on a paper plate with a pencil.

Step 3 – Repeat

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 – Outline Important Skull Details

Use a black marker to add different patterns around the eyes and for the teeth portion of the masks. For inspiration, look at pictures of Day of the Dead masks, sugar skulls and other intricate patterns.

Step 5 – Decorate Your Mask

Now take the rhinestones in bright colors and glue to decorate your day of the dead masks.

Allow the glue to dry.

Tip: You can also use self-adhesive rhinestones if you planning to do this activity with younger kids.

Step 6 – Cut Out Mask Facial Features

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 – Modify So Day of the Dead Mask Can be Worn

There are two easy ways that you can make it so you can wear your calavera mask:

1. 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.
2. Or you could just glue a craft stick to use it as a photo prop on the Day of the Dead party.

Your Day of the Dead Mask is Finished & Ready to Wear!

You are finished with the mask craft and now the fun begins…unless you want to make another one!

Recommended Modifications for Day of the Dead Craft

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.

More Masks Crafts for kids

• Kids will have fun making these paper plate masks
• If your kids love superheroes then they will love this spiderman paper mask
• Do your kids enjoy watching a clown? Make this paper plate clown
• Try these printable easy animal masks inspired by Dolittle.
• Make these kids Halloween masks includes a printable
• Celebrate Mardi gras with this printable Mardi Gras masks

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…

• Barbie lovers! There’s a new Barbie Day of the Dead and it’s so beautiful!
• Kids will love coloring these sugar skull coloring pages or our collection of Day of the Dead coloring pages.
• Make this Day of the Dead sugar skull printable puzzle
• Dia De Muertos hidden pictures worksheet you can download, print, find & color!
• How to make papel picado for Day of the Dead traditions.
• Use this template to make a sugar skull pumpkin carving.
• Create your own Day of the Dead flowers.
• Make a sugar skull planter.
• Color along with this Day of the Dead sugar skull pictures tutorial.

How did your Day of the Dead mask craft turn out? How did you use the Day of the Dead mask template?