If you love colorful crafts, pretty flowers, and handmade decorations, these Day of the Dead crafts are such a lovely way to get creative this season!
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition celebrated on November 1 and 2 to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.
Families create ofrendas, decorate with marigolds and papel picado, display photographs, and share favorite foods and memories. It is a celebration full of love, remembrance, and beautiful symbolism.
And while I love a good Halloween sewing project, I also think there is something special about making decorations that help us celebrate the people and memories we hold close to our hearts.
So, my friends, I gathered 15 colorful DIY ideas, including paper flowers, sewing projects, festive home décor, printables, and more.
Some are perfect for an afternoon of crafting, while others would make lovely handmade additions to a family ofrenda.
Let’s take a look!
1. DIY Papel Picado Banners
Papel picado is one of the most recognizable decorations associated with Día de los Muertos.
These delicate, colorful banners are made from cut paper and often feature flowers, geometric shapes, and other decorative patterns.
The best part? You don’t need a fancy cutting machine to make your own.
Grab some colorful tissue paper, scissors, and a little patience, and you can create a pretty banner to hang across a wall, doorway, or party table.
If you would like a little guidance with the cutting and folding, check out this DIY papel picado tutorial.
Craft idea: Choose several coordinating colors and repeat a pattern across your banner for a beautiful, handmade decoration.
2. Make Your Own Paper Marigold Flowers
Marigolds, known as cempasúchil in Mexico, are an important part of Día de los Muertos traditions.
Their bright orange and yellow blooms are often used to decorate ofrendas and help guide the spirits of loved ones.
If you want to add a little extra color to your decorations, paper marigolds are a wonderful option.
You can make a whole bunch without worrying about the flowers wilting, and they can be reused for future celebrations.
Camellia Bees has a paper marigold flower tutorial that walks you through making these fluffy blooms with layered paper.
Craft idea: Make several flowers in different sizes and arrange them in a vase or use them to decorate the area around your ofrenda.
3. Sugar Skull Mason Jar Lanterns
Looking for a colorful decoration that you can display around your home? A decorated mason jar is a fun place to start.
Sugar skulls, or calaveras de azúcar, are associated with Día de los Muertos and are often decorated with cheerful colors and intricate designs.
You can take inspiration from those patterns to create a decorative jar with painted details, colorful accents, or a skull design.
For inspiration, take a look at the Mason Jar with a glow stick tutorial, which includes a sugar skull mason jar lantern project.
Craft idea: Use an LED tealight if you want a gentle glow. Keep paper, fabric, and other flammable decorations away from open flames.
4. Colorful Sugar Skull Rocks
This is a lovely project if you enjoy painting and want to experiment with lots of little details.
Start with smooth stones and sketch a simple skull shape. Then add flowers, dots, hearts, swirls, and colorful patterns inspired by decorated calaveras.
You don’t have to be an expert painter, either! A few basic shapes can look beautiful when you combine them thoughtfully.
You can use acrylic paints and fine brushes to add the details, then finish with a suitable protective sealer once the paint has dried.
Craft idea: Make a small collection of painted skull rocks in different color combinations.
They can become seasonal decorations for a shelf or part of a larger display.
Remember that this is a decorative interpretation inspired by calavera designs, rather than a traditional ofrenda element.
5. Embroidered Felt Sugar Skulls
Oh, you know I couldn’t make a craft list without including something for my fellow sewing lovers!
Felt is such a fun material for colorful decorations because it comes in so many shades, doesn’t fray like woven fabric, and is easy to cut into small shapes.
For this felt skull project, cut a skull silhouette from white felt and decorate it with little felt flowers, hearts, circles, and other colorful shapes.
You can attach the pieces with fabric glue or use embroidery stitches to add details and give the skull a more handmade finish.
If you want to turn it into a small ornament, cut a second skull shape for the back, sew the two pieces together, and add a little stuffing before closing the seam.
Craft idea: Use embroidery floss to add decorative lines around the eyes and cheeks, or stitch a flower in the center of the forehead.
This would also make a cute little project for using up some of those colorful felt scraps hiding in your craft stash. And if you’re anything like me, you probably have a few!
6. Decorate a Picture Frame for Your Ofrenda
Some of the most meaningful decorations are also the simplest.
A picture frame featuring a photograph of someone you love can become a special part of an ofrenda.
Decorating the frame is a lovely way to make the display personal without taking attention away from the photograph itself.
You can add paper flowers, painted details, small decorative shapes, or a colorful border. Just keep the design balanced so the picture remains the focus.
If you would like a tutorial to get started, the Día de los Muertos altar DIY includes a picture-frame craft along with other activities related to the celebration.
Craft idea: Choose colors or small details that remind you of the person in the photograph. A handmade frame can be a thoughtful way to celebrate their memory.
7. Free Printable Day of the Dead Coloring Pages
Sometimes you just want a relaxing craft that doesn’t involve cutting a million tiny pieces or cleaning glue off your fingers. And honestly, I completely understand!
Coloring pages are an easy option for a quiet afternoon at home, a family activity, or a little creative break.
Look for designs featuring marigolds, papel picado, decorated skulls, butterflies, and ofrendas.
You can print the pages on regular paper and use colored pencils, markers, or crayons. If you want to turn your finished artwork into decorations, place it in a frame or use it to make handmade cards.
Take a look at these Day of the Dead coloring pages from Art in Context for printable designs.
Craft idea: Print a few different pages and let everyone choose a design to color. It’s a simple way to enjoy some creative time together.
8. Colorful Felt Flower Wreath
If you have been around My Golden Thimble for a while, you probably know how much I love making things with felt.
It is one of those materials that makes it easy to create pretty flowers without needing a whole garden or a green thumb!
My Felt Flower Wreath Tutorial is a great place to start if you want to make a colorful floral decoration of your own.
For a Día de los Muertos-inspired version, try using warm orange, yellow, red, pink, and white felt to create a bright floral arrangement.
You can experiment with different flower sizes and layouts until you find a combination you love.
Craft idea: Make a small wreath for your home or use individual felt flowers as decorative accents for a seasonal display.
One thing I love about felt flowers is that they can be made ahead of time and brought out again next year. Handmade decorations that last?
Yes, please!
9. Make a La Catrina-Inspired Decoration
La Catrina is an iconic figure associated with Día de los Muertos, often depicted as an elegant skeleton wearing a large hat and beautiful clothing. Her image has become a recognizable part of the celebration’s art and visual culture.
For a creative project, you could make a paper figure, decorate a printed silhouette, or create a 3D Catrina display using colorful paper flowers and a glass bottle and patterned fabric.
If you enjoy paper crafts, you can start with a simple outline and build up the design using layers of colored paper, flowers, and decorative details.
Craft idea: Make a paper La Catrina portrait and frame it as seasonal artwork. You can personalize the colors, flowers, and patterns to make the finished piece your own.
As with any craft inspired by a cultural tradition, take a moment to learn about the imagery and its meaning rather than treating it as just another spooky decoration.
10. Painted Terracotta Pots
Terracotta pots are another fun option if you want to add a little color to your home or garden.
You can paint them with flowers, dots, hearts, geometric borders, or decorative skull-inspired designs. A white base makes colorful details stand out beautifully, while a dark background can give the patterns a different look.
Once the paint is completely dry, use the pot to display a small plant or arrange artificial marigolds inside.
For inspiration and seasonal project ideas, browse Day of the Dead projects.
Craft idea: Paint a matching set of pots in different colors and use them to decorate a shelf, patio, or craft table.
If you’re planting real flowers, make sure the pot has appropriate drainage. And if you’re using the pot near an ofrenda, keep the arrangement stable and away from open flames.
11. Sugar Skull T-Shirt DIY
Now we’re getting into my favorite territory: sewing!
A fabric appliqué is a wonderful way to turn a plain T-shirt into something unique. Instead of buying a new shirt for the season, you can use fabric scraps to create your own design.
For this project, start with a simple skull template and cut the main shape from your chosen fabric.
Add smaller pieces for the decorative details, such as flowers, hearts, and circles.
Craft idea: Use a combination of floral prints and solid fabrics for a patchwork-inspired skull. This is also a great opportunity to use small scraps that are too pretty to throw away but too tiny for a larger sewing project.
If you enjoy making your own clothes and accessories, this could become a fun seasonal addition to your handmade wardrobe.
12. Stuffed Felt Calavera Ornaments
Here’s another idea for my fellow felt lovers!
A small stuffed felt calavera can be used as a decorative ornament, a garland accent, or a little handmade gift. The shape is simple enough to customize, and the decorations are where you can really have fun.
Cut two matching skull shapes from felt. Decorate the front piece with embroidered flowers, stitched dots, or small felt appliqués before sewing the front and back together.
Leave a small opening, add a little stuffing, and close the seam.
If you want to hang the finished ornament, add a ribbon loop at the top before closing it.
Craft idea: Make a collection of small skulls in different colors and patterns. You could even give each one its own flower crown or decorative details.
These would also be a lovely way to practice simple hand-sewing stitches if you’re still getting comfortable with needle and thread.
13. Sugar Skull and Flower Garland
A handmade garland is a simple way to bring color to a room, a craft table, or a seasonal gathering.
For this idea, combine paper skull shapes with colorful flowers and leaves. You can cut the pieces from cardstock, use paper flowers you’ve made yourself, or mix in lightweight fabric elements for a more textured look.
Arrange the shapes along a length of string or ribbon, leaving a little space between each piece. Before attaching everything permanently, lay out the full design so you can adjust the colors and spacing.
Craft idea: Alternate skull shapes with orange and yellow flowers to create a balanced pattern. You can also add papel picado-inspired shapes between the larger elements.
If you want to explore another garland tutorial, browse the Happythought video tutorials for paper-craft inspiration, including Mexican paper flowers and papel picado.
14. DIY Mexican Paper Flowers
You know I love a good paper craft, especially one that lets us play with lots of beautiful colors! These giant Mexican paper flowers are a fun way to bring a festive touch to your home, a party, or a colorful seasonal display.
I have a tutorial right here on My Golden Thimble that shows you how to make Mexican paper flowers.
They make a lovely statement decoration, and you can customize the colors to match your space or the rest of your handmade decorations.
Craft idea: Make a few flowers in different sizes and arrange them together for a bright floral display. You could use them to decorate a wall, a party backdrop, or a craft table.
And if you’re making decorations for Día de los Muertos, consider using them alongside other traditional elements, such as photographs and marigolds, while keeping in mind the special meaning behind the celebration.
15. Paper-Mâché Sugar Skull Décor
If you love projects that let you get a little messy, paper-mâché might be right up your alley.
You can use a ready-made skull form or create a base with materials suitable for paper-mâché. Once the shape is dry and sturdy, decorate it with paint, flowers, dots, hearts, and other colorful patterns inspired by calavera artwork.
This is a project where you can really experiment with color. Try a white base with bright floral details, or choose a more colorful background and add contrasting designs on top.
Craft idea: Make a decorative skull for a shelf or a seasonal display. If you’re working with children, choose age-appropriate materials and supervise any cutting or messy steps.
For inspiration, you can explore images of paper mache Sugar Skulls.
Let the finished piece dry completely before displaying it, especially if you’ve used several layers of paper or paint.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, my friends! 15 Day of the Dead crafts to inspire your next creative afternoon.
Whether you decide to make paper marigolds, decorate a picture frame, sew a felt ornament, or create something completely your own, I hope you find a project that makes you excited to get your craft supplies out.
One of the things I love most about handmade projects is how personal they can become. The colors you choose, the little details you add, and the memories behind a finished piece can make it so much more meaningful than something picked up from a store.
And if you’re celebrating Día de los Muertos, I hope your decorations help you create a warm, beautiful space for remembering the people you love.
Happy crafting, my friends!
