TL;DR
Día de los Muertos isn’t "Mexican Halloween." It’s a 3,000-year-old tradition centered on memory and family. To avoid the "appropriation" trap, focus on appreciation through education rather than just "wearing the aesthetic."
- Watch: Coco (Ages 5+) for the gold standard on storytelling, or The Book of Life (Ages 7+) for a more stylized, folkloric vibe.
- Read: Funny Bones by Duncan Tonatiuh (Ages 6-10) to learn about the man behind the iconic skeleton art.
- Avoid: Low-effort "Sugar Skull" costumes from big-box retailers that strip the meaning from the makeup.
Ask our chatbot for a list of local Día de los Muertos community events
First off, let’s clear the air: this isn't about being "spooky" or "scary." While Halloween is historically about warding off spirits, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is about inviting them back.
It’s a two-day celebration (November 1st and 2nd) where families believe the border between the spirit world and the real world dissolves. They build ofrendas (altars) with photos of deceased loved ones, their favorite foods, and bright orange cempasúchil (marigolds) to guide them home.
If your kid sees a calavera (sugar skull) and thinks it’s just a "cool skeleton for my Minecraft skin," that’s where we, as parents, step in to add some layers. It’s not "brain rot" content; it’s a deep, vibrant history that deserves more than a 15-second TikTok scroll.
We live in an era where everything is an "aesthetic." On TikTok and Instagram, "Sugar Skull makeup" becomes a viral trend every October. Your kids might see influencers doing high-glam "Catrina" looks without ever mentioning Mexico or the meaning of the holiday.
When a culture is reduced to a "vibe" or a costume you can buy for $19.99 at a pop-up shop, that’s appropriation. When we take the time to learn the "why" behind the "what," that’s appreciation.
Also, let's talk about the "Ohio" factor. If you haven't heard your 4th grader call something "Only in Ohio," consider yourself lucky, but it basically means "weird" or "cringe." Sometimes kids use this kind of slang to dismiss things they don't understand. Teaching them the significance of Día de los Muertos prevents them from seeing a beautiful cultural tradition as something "weird" to be mocked.
If you haven't seen Coco, stop what you’re doing and go watch it. It is arguably one of the best things Disney/Pixar has ever produced. It manages to explain the complex concept of "the final death" (being forgotten) in a way that is accessible to a five-year-old but will also leave you sobbing into your sofa cushions.
No-BS Review: Most "cultural" movies feel like a corporate committee trying to check boxes. Coco feels like a love letter. The music is top-tier, and it accurately depicts the ofrenda and the importance of family history. It’s the perfect entry point for kids to understand that these traditions aren't just "costumes"—they're about connection.
Produced by Guillermo del Toro, The Book of Life came out a few years before Coco and has a much more distinct, "wooden doll" animation style.
Parent Note: It’s a bit more "chaotic" than Coco and leans into the folklore and mythology a bit harder. It’s great for older kids (7-12) who might find Coco a bit too "Disney-fied." It handles the themes of death and remembrance with a lot of wit and visual flair.
If you want to move away from screens for a bit, Funny Bones is a fantastic book. It tells the story of José Guadalupe Posada, the artist who created the famous calaveras we see everywhere today.
Why it’s great: It explains that the skeletons weren't meant to be scary—they were a way to show that under our clothes and skin, everyone (rich or poor) is the same. It’s a great lesson in social justice and art history wrapped in a kid-friendly package.
You probably already have a Raina Telgemeier book in your house (she's the queen of middle-grade graphic novels). Ghosts deals with a girl moving to a town where people celebrate Día de los Muertos to cope with her sister's chronic illness.
The No-BS Take: While kids love this book (it's a massive hit in the 8-12 age range), it has faced some criticism for how it depicts the holiday through a non-Mexican lens. It’s a good book, but if you use it, use it as a conversation starter about how different people interpret traditions.
Check out our guide on the best graphic novels for middle schoolers
Ages 3-6: Focus on the "Party"
At this age, kids just need to know that this is a special time to remember people we love who have died. It’s a happy celebration, not a sad one.
- Activity: Color some sugar skulls or watch Elena of Avalor episodes that feature the holiday.
- The "Costume" Rule: Avoid "Day of the Dead" costumes. Stick to bright colors or floral headbands if you're attending a community event.
Ages 7-12: The Context of Appropriation
This is the age where they start seeing the TikTok trends. Talk to them about why "wearing someone’s culture" is different from "learning about someone’s culture."
- Activity: Research a family ancestor together. Print a photo and talk about what they liked to eat or do. This grounds the "holiday" in their own reality of family.
- Digital Wellness: If they see a "Sugar Skull" filter on Snapchat or TikTok, ask them: "Do you think the person who made this knows why those flowers are there?"
Ages 13+: Critical Thinking
Teens are ready for the "No-BS" conversations. Talk about the commercialization of the holiday. Why is Target selling Día de los Muertos candles? Is it representation or just capitalism?
When your kid asks, "Can I paint my face like a sugar skull for Halloween?" here is how to handle it without being the "fun police":
- Ask them why: "What do you like about that look?" Usually, they just think it looks cool.
- Explain the meaning: "That makeup is called La Catrina. It’s a symbol used to honor the dead during a very specific Mexican holiday. If we wear it just for 'spooky vibes' on Halloween, it’s a bit like wearing a religious symbol as a fashion statement—it can be hurtful to the people who own that tradition."
- Offer an alternative: If they love the "skeleton" look, go for a classic skeleton! There are a million ways to do "cool skull" makeup that don't pull from a specific cultural heritage.
Día de los Muertos is a beautiful, profound tradition that offers a really healthy way for kids to think about death and memory—something we usually suck at in modern Western culture.
The goal isn't to gatekeep the holiday or make your kids feel "canceled" for being curious. The goal is to move them from being passive consumers of a "look" to active learners of a history.
If you're going to engage with the holiday:
- Support Mexican creators and businesses.
- Focus on the ofrenda and the stories, not just the face paint.
- Use the media above to give them the "why" before they see the "what" on social media.
Ask our chatbot for more recommendations on culturally diverse media for kids
If your family is interested in learning more, check out your local library or community center. Many cities now host authentic Día de los Muertos festivals. Go, eat some pan de muerto, look at the beautiful altars, and let your kids see that the world is much bigger and more interesting than a 60-second viral clip.