Free Day of the Dead Coloring Page

The Day of the Dead coloring page set has become one of my favorite ways to introduce kids to the traditions of Día de los Muertos in a gentle, hands-on way.

Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, this Mexican holiday honors loved ones who have passed while celebrating their lives with color, music, and remembrance.

When we first learned about it at home, coloring the sugar skulls and ofrendas helped spark real conversations about family, memory, and culture.

This 11-page printable is simple enough for younger children but rich with meaning, blending art, early literacy, and cultural awareness into one creative activity.

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What’s Included in the Dia de Los Muertos Coloring Pages

This Day of the Dead coloring page set includes a mix of simple, meaningful illustrations inspired by the symbols and traditions of Día de los Muertos.

Many pages include traceable words beneath the artwork, helping kids practice handwriting and build vocabulary while they color.

Here’s a peek at what’s inside:

Sugar Skulls

The sugar skull, or calavera, is one of the most recognizable parts of the celebration. Kids can decorate floral and patterned skulls, each designed with bold outlines and just enough space for creativity. One page even includes the traceable word “Sugar Skull,” blending art with early literacy.

Ofrenda

An ofrenda (altar) is a key part of the holiday, filled with candles, photos, and food offerings that honor loved ones who have passed. The coloring page shows a simple altar scene and the word “Ofrenda” for tracing, helping kids connect what they see to the meaning behind it.

Family

Family is at the heart of Día de los Muertos. One page shows a family gathered together, with the word “Family” in dotted lines to trace. It’s a nice way to talk about remembering grandparents or sharing family stories while coloring.

Parade

Some communities celebrate with lively parades featuring costumes, music, and giant puppets. The parade coloring page captures that joyful energy and includes “Parade” as a traceable word.

Marigolds

The bright orange cempasúchil (marigold) is the flower of the celebration, said to guide spirits back to the living world. The marigold page is full of cheerful blooms and includes the word “Marigolds” to trace, always one of the most colorful pages when finished.

Papel Picado

These decorative paper banners add a festive touch to the holiday. The papel picado page shows the traditional cut-out designs and includes the traceable word “Papel Picado,” offering a fun mix of culture and art.

Draw Your Own

The final page invites kids to create their own Day of the Dead design. With a large blank space and the header “DRAW YOUR OWN,” it’s a simple prompt that encourages imagination and reflection on what they’ve learned.

Educational Benefits

This Day of the Dead coloring page pack does more than keep kids busy with crayons.

As they color and trace words like “Ofrenda” and “Marigolds,” they strengthen fine motor control and early writing skills.

The mix of guided and open-ended pages lets them be creative while still learning structure.

Most importantly, these activities open the door to talking about remembrance, family, and culture, helping children build empathy and cultural understanding in a simple, meaningful way.

More Day of the Dead Printables

If your kids enjoy this Day of the Dead coloring page pack, you can keep the theme going with a few more printable activities that reinforce vocabulary and cultural understanding:

• Day of the Dead word search – A fun way for children to spot key terms from the celebration, like calavera and ofrenda, while improving spelling and word recognition.
• Day of the Dead word scramble – Perfect for older kids ready for a challenge; they’ll practice spelling and memory as they rearrange holiday-themed words.
• Day of the Dead bookmarks – Simple to color and cut out, these make a thoughtful keepsake or classroom craft that connects reading with the spirit of the holiday.

Books About the Day of the Dead for Kids

When we first learned about Día de los Muertos, pairing our coloring pages with a good story made everything click. These are a few picture books that bring the celebration to life through beautiful art and heartfelt storytelling:

Día de los Muertos by Hannah Eliot – This one’s a favorite for younger kids. The bright illustrations and simple explanations make it easy to understand what the celebration means and why it matters.

Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes – A clever mix of spooky and sweet, this bilingual rhyming story bridges Halloween and Día de los Muertos. The rhythm makes it fun to read aloud, and the artwork is stunning.

A Gift for Abuelita: Celebrating Día de los Muertos by Nancy Luenn – A gentle story about love, loss, and remembering family. It’s perfect for starting quiet conversations about what it means to honor someone you’ve loved and lost.

Get Your Free Day of the Dead Coloring Pages Here!

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