What Is Día de los Muertos?
Día de los Muertos — or Day of the Dead — is a vibrant Mexican tradition celebrated each year on November 1 and 2. Rather than being a somber day, it’s a joyful time to remember loved ones who have passed away.
Families honor their ancestors through music, food, and colorful decorations that celebrate life and legacy. The holiday combines ancient Aztec rituals with Catholic influences from All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, creating a blend of cultures that’s rich in meaning and full of love.
For kids, it’s a beautiful reminder that remembering loved ones can be joyful — not sad.
Family-Friendly Ways to Celebrate
Create an Ofrenda (Altar)
Set up a small space at home — a table, shelf, or mantle — to display photos of loved ones who have passed. Add candles, flowers (especially marigolds, the traditional flower of remembrance), and items that remind your family of them.
Kid Tip: Let children draw pictures or write notes about their favorite memories to add to the ofrenda.
Cook Traditional Foods Together
Food plays a special role in Día de los Muertos. Bake pan de muerto, a sweet bread decorated with bone shapes, or make a family recipe that connects to your heritage. Sharing these foods and stories helps keep memories alive.
Get Creative with Crafts
Decorating sugar skulls (calaveras) or coloring printable skull designs helps kids explore the artistic side of the celebration. You can also create papel picado, colorful tissue-paper banners that symbolize the fragility of life.
Talk About Loved Ones
Use this time to share family stories. Kids often love hearing about grandparents, great-grandparents, or even pets who are no longer here. Keep the tone positive — Día de los Muertos celebrates life, not loss.
Where to Celebrate Locally
Cincinnati Cyclones – Day of the Dead Night
Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Heritage Bank Center, Cincinnati
Celebrate with themed sugar skull jerseys, music, and food! The arena will be decked out in colorful décor to honor Día de los Muertos while cheering on the Cyclones.
heritagebankcenter.com/event/day-of-the-dead-night
Family Tip: Arrive early to enjoy themed activities and photo ops.
University of Cincinnati Clermont College – Spanishpalooza: Day of the Dead Celebration
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia
This annual campus event welcomes families to explore cultural displays, crafts, and a community-built altar (ofrenda).
ucclermont.edu/events/spanishpalooza.html
Family Tip: Bring a photo or small item to add to the altar if you’d like.
Day of the Dead at the Library: Global Ancestral Celebration
Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 12:00 pm – 4:00 PM
215 E. Third Street, Dayton
Join a parade through the Library to visit altars and a Community Tree of Life honoring loved ones. After the parade, enjoy performances by Orgullo Mexicano and Troupe Roja in the Forum.
dayton.bibliocommons.com
Family Tip: Catrina face painting will take place from noon to 2:00 pm!
Learn Together
Books like “The Day of the Dead” by Bob Barner or movies such as Coco are perfect for introducing kids to the holiday’s meaning. Pair them with a simple activity — like making paper marigolds or drawing an ancestor portrait — to bring the story to life.
A Celebration of Life
Día de los Muertos reminds families that love and memory never fade — they live on in stories, recipes, and shared traditions. By celebrating together, kids learn that remembering the people we love can be joyful, colorful, and full of heart.
