Day of the Dead Activity for Kids: Make an Escape Room
Looking for a fun Day of the Dead activity for kids? Why not make an escape room? It is a fun way to engage a group of kids in crafts and puzzles related to Day of the Dead! We have you covered with a complete (though flexible) plan to set up your escape room, including a free printable pack! Perfect activity for a classroom setting or Day of the Dead party.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book below for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own.
Day of the Dead Activity for Kids: Make an Escape Room
Are you throwing a Day of the Dead party or looking for a fun Day of the Dead activity for kids for your classroom? Here is a complete plan, including a printable (see below), though it is also flexible to allow you to adjust to suit your needs.
Below are eight activities (many included in the printable pack) that you can use for your Day of the Dead escape room. Any of these can be swapped out or modified to suit your group of students; however, make sure that you end up with EIGHT activities total, so that they can solve the final puzzle. The activities can be done in any order, but all must be completed before they are given the final puzzle to solve.
For each activity done or puzzle solved, the students will receive one letter (included in the printable). Once they receive all eight letters, they can solve the final puzzle.
Variation: To add some excitement to this Day of the Dead activity for kids, you could set a time limit to the game then blow up some of these skeleton balloons and pop one every few minutes. (So, for example, if you are going to give them 30 minutes for the activity, blow up 6 balloons and pop one every 5 minutes). Once the last balloon is popped, time’s up!
Set Up
Depending on your layout and the size of the group, the children could work together on each activity on one large table, or you could set up each activity on a separate, smaller table, and have the children work in smaller groups, each of which would complete several of the activities. (For example, 4 small groups could do 2 activities each). However you decide, the entire group should solve the final puzzle together.
Print out the Day of the Dead Activity for Kids Escape Room Printable Pack to use where indicated below.
Activity 1: Spanish Color by Number Skull
Help them learn their colors in Spanish with this Day of the Dead color by number page.
Activity 2: Day of the Dead Song
Teach them a Day of the Dead song! Depending on their level of Spanish, they could learn the lyrics or just have fun dancing.
Activity 3: Marigold Craft
Let them create a beautiful Day of the Dead decoration to take home by teaching them to make marigolds out of tissue paper.
Activity 4: Fill in the Blanks
Work together to complete a Day of the Dead fill in the blank activity (included in the printable).
Activity 5: Papel Picado
Make banners with beautiful papel picado, either using this template or their own design.
Activity 6: Word Problem
Solve a Day of the Dead themed word problem (included in the printable).
Activity 7: Acrostic Poem
Get creative by writing their own acrostic poem about Day of the Dead! (Template included in the printable).
Activity 8: Honoring Loved Ones
While Day of the Dead has become a popular holiday, it’s important to remind kids about the real meaning behind it, which is to honor and remember loved ones that have passed on. Have each student make a drawing of a loved one or hero that has passed on, along with a sentence or two about what they remember about them. (Worksheet included in the printable).
Final Puzzle:
Finish off your Day of the Dead activity for kids by having them solve one final puzzle! This puzzle (included in the printable) is solved using the letters earned with each completed activity.
Treats
Be sure to have plenty of Day of the Dead treats on hand to reward them for their hard work! You could have pan de muerto (bread of the dead), sweet pumpkin dessert, or these crispy rice treats, and, of course, candy skulls! Don’t forget these Day of the Dead cupcake toppers!
While they enjoy their treats, read this fun new picture book for older kids! A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding is a great introduction to Day of the Dead from the perspective of a young boy whose family has recently moved back to Mexico. Like most children, Adri has heard some about Day of the Dead but finds much of it confusing. And to top it all off, his older sister decides to play a trick on him, telling him that Day of the Dead is when Adri is going to die!
Young readers will identify with Adri’s confusion and enjoy the happy resolution, learning all about the beautiful Day of the Dead holiday along the way.
I loved the artwork in A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding, which captures the emotional tenor of the story as well as providing some stunning views of Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. My favorite was the nighttime boat ride to the island of Janitzio, twinkling with candlelight. My sons enjoyed Adri’s sometimes funny, sometimes nerve-wracking misunderstandings – plus his pet axolotl, of course!
While you can order A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding by itself, you can also find it as part of a Dead of the Dead story box that includes toys, games, and activities to teach children about this marvelous Mexican celebration!
What is your favorite Day of the Dead activity for kids?
Related Posts:
Children’s Books for Day of the Dead
The Aztec: Top Books for Children
-2 Comments-
Just wondering where the printables were, I couldn’t find them?
thanks
Hi there! Here is the direct link: https://alldonemonkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Day-of-the-Dead-Activity-for-Kids-Escape-Room-Printable-Pack.pdf
I’ve also bolded it in the post, since I bet you weren’t the only one who could find them! Thanks!