Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a joyful holiday that largely originated in Mexico, though is celebrated in other Latin American countries. Though the concept of death is usually seen as quite grim in many cultures, Día de Muertos is about honoring the dead, and celebrating their journey through life, then to the afterlife.
For Latino children, it’s important to learn about their culture and heritage, and though most of this learning will be passed down from relative to relative, there are also tons of resources out there, online and off.
If you’re not Latin American, it’s important to teach kids about cultural appropriation and how to enjoy the holiday by respecting the culture. So with this in mind, how do we decorously teach our kids about Día de Muertos?
Interactive Events
Since one of the most important aspects of Día de Muertos is family, celebrating the holiday with the community is half the fun. The Green Wood Historic fund is having a Día De Los Muertos Family Day on November 1 in Brooklyn, filled with all the traditions and history of Day of the Dead, for all ages. Tickets are free, but be sure to reserve yours now while slots last.
If your kids are more in the mood for an art class, Wave Hill House in the Bronx has you covered. Its Family Art Project: Día de los Muertos on October 29 involves creating Nicho boxes. These boxes are small shadow boxes that one fills with natural and meaningful objects that honor a dead loved one, from their favorite flowers to photographs. Check out more activities and events on Google, or your local events centers and museums.
Fun Shows and Movies
There are quite a few movies and TV shows about Día de Muertos out there, though not as common as Halloween or Christmas movies. The Book of Life, and Coco are two popular movies that take the viewer on a colorful and wondrous journey through the Land of the Dead, with a deep focus on the importance of family and culture.
Taking it online, Blippi is an educational live action YouTube channel for toddlers and kids up to around 5 years old. Blippi, the presenter, celebrates Day of the Dead in two full length episodes, learning how to make traditional crafts such as papel picado, and more. You can also take to Netflix for some extra content, with Super Monster’s: Dia de los Monsters, a festive adventure of family, parades, and spooky shenanigans.
Support Mexican Creators
Check out authentic Mexican shops if you’d like to support Latin American creators. From Mexican-owned storefronts to online stores, there’s something for everyone.
Etsy has a huge collection of Mexican-owned shops, from accessory store Chasing Camilla, to clothes vendor SoleiEthnic. It’s always best to browse and buy from real Mexican creators as their products and history will always be more authentic.
There’s a disingenuous fad of non-Latino creators making Día de Muertos merchandise, mostly in the form of tacky Halloween costumes. These products not only make a mockery of Latino culture, but they take money that could have gone to people who actually grew up with said culture.
But non-Mexicans displaying some authentic Mexican art in their home isn’t appropriative if done with the utmost respect. Taking a trip down to Mexico is also the ultimate way to learn about the culture, as there’s nothing better than seeing where it all came from.
Books
Oh books, what a timeless and never ending source of knowledge! There are more Día de Muertos books out there than you can read in a lifetime. For kids ages 1 to 4, Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead Children's Finger Puppet Board Book is a perfect way to start off their learning journey. With vivid colors and an expressive finger puppet, your younglings will be dazzled by the festive imagery. Mi Familia: Celebrating the Day of the Dead is a celebration of family. The heroine Valentina is introduced to the holiday via yummy cooking, spooky crafts, and tons of fun family tales.
For teenagers, The Tequila Worm is a unique look into Latino culture, from Day of the Dead to cascarones. The heroine Sofia faces moving to an elite boarding school, leaving the comfortable life she knew to experience new cultures outside her own, which many kids will be able to relate to, regardless of ethnicity.
Check out your local library for some great recommendations, or visit the Latino & Puerto Rican Cultural Center for some enriching literature.
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