There is something intoxicating about colorful Sugar Skulls! They aren’t scary or strange- they are bright, colorful and fun! They are a celebration of life. This fun craft shows you how to decorate your own Sugar Skulls with supplies you can get on Amazon! It’s a great creative outlet for the whole family!

If you love Disney’s COCO, you probably remember got a chance to explain it to your kids or learn about it yourself.

What is a Sugar Skull?

First we need a refresher on The Day of the Dead – it is NOT a Mexican version of Halloween! Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is sometimes confused with Halloween because of the symbolic sugar but is not related at all.

It is said that on November 1st the children who have passed come back to visit and celebrate as angelitos and on the following day, November 2nd, it’s the adults (Difuntos) turn to show up for the festivities.

Family members prepare for several weeks in advance for the tradition by creating altars, decorating burial sites, and cooking specific Day of the Dead food.

Skulls are a huge part of the holiday. Skulls were used during rituals in the Aztec era and passed on as trophies during battles.

Today, during Dia de Los Muertos, small decorated sugar skulls are placed on the altars. There is nothing grim about these skulls. They are decorated with colorful edible paint, glitter, beads, and sport huge smiles.