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Colorful animated characters joyfully celebrate Día de los Muertos in front of a decorated altar with candles, marigold flowers, sugar skulls, photographs, and offerings, surrounded by festive papel picado banners under a twilight sky.

Día de los Muertos: A Celebration of Life

Día de los Muertos (DEE-ah de lohs MWEAR-tohs) means “Day of the Dead.” It is a Mexican and Indigenous holiday. It is a time to honor loved ones who have died.

When someone we love is no longer with us, we may feel sad because we miss them. Día de los Muertos gives people a way to remember those who have passed away. The holiday celebrates their lives, their stories, and their memories.

Colorful animated character with bright purple and blue hair decorating a traditional Day of the Dead altar with orange marigold flowers, candles, sugar skulls, framed photos, and festive papel picado banners at dusk.

Ofrendas: Altars to Remember Loved Ones‍

An important part of the holiday is an ofrenda. An ofrenda is an altar made to honor someone who has passed away. An altar is a place where families put things that help them remember that person. Many of the things on an altar have a special meaning.

On an altar you might see:

Photos: Pictures of people who died.

‍Marigolds: Bright orange flowers that help guide their spirits.

‍Candles: Their light helps show the way.

‍Water: Water welcomes spirits.

‍Favorite foods: Families may add foods their loved one liked.

‍Papel picado: Bright paper art that adds color and joy.

Colorful animated characters celebrating Día de los Muertos around a decorated table with traditional foods, candles, marigold flowers, and papel picado banners; one character holds a framed photo of an elderly woman in front of an ofrenda with framed photos and sugar skulls.

Celebrating Together‍

Día de los Muertos is filled with music, dancing, art, and time with family. You may see painted faces, flowers, decorated cars, and bright skeletons. The skeletons are not meant to be scary. They are often colorful and fun, and full of joy.

During the holiday, families may eat together, tell stories, visit altars, and remember happy times with the people they love. Día de los Muertos reminds us that even when someone dies, our love for them does not go away. We can keep their memory close through stories, laughter, and family traditions. That love can stay in our hearts forever.

Colorful Day of the Dead altar with three decorated ceramic skulls, orange marigold flowers, lit candles, bowls of fruit and pan de muerto bread, with framed photos in the background and papel picado banners.

Makerspace

Makerspace Challenge: Build an Ofrenda

Build an ofrenda, or altar. Create one to honor a person, historic figure, or community you care about.
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Be sure to include at least 3 items that help show who or what your ofrenda honors. Use color, decorations, and your own ideas to make it feel warm, joyful, and full of love.
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Click Toolkit to find items and drag and drop them to build your altar.

Editing Your Assets
Select an asset to see Editing tool menu.