Mexico Day

Open Explore Activities ($12/child admission; adults free. 10am – 5pm)

Marigold Paper Flowers
Marigold flowers are used to decorate graves and altars during the Day of the Dead. According to Mexican tradition, the vibrant color and scent of the marigolds will guide spirits toward their altars. Create your own flower using crepe paper.

Cardboard Calaca
Calacas are papier mache skeletons. Mexican tradition is to dress up the skeletons in vibrant colors and pose them playing instruments, dancing, eating, or in a variety of poses. Using cardboard and paper pins, create your own calacas and pose them how you like.

Papel Picado
Papel picado is a traditional Mexican folk art using tissue paper designs. Common themes used for papel picado include florals, birds, and skeletons. The papel picado is traditionally made by hand and is used to decorate altars.

Skull Block Printing Art
Learn how to do block printing art and take home your own prints of designs around the Dia de Los Muertos theme.

Loteria Game
Try this Mexican take on Bingo, while practicing your Spanish vocabulary. Instead of using letters and numbers, Loteria uses colorful images and cultural symbols to fill your card.

Calavera Design: Community Skull Mural
Take part in a Mexican tradition by making your mark on a giant, communal mandala skull (calavera).

Day of the Dead Altar
This altar is a traditional, festive display of offerings made to the deceased to invite their spirits back into the world of the living and to aid them in their journey to Earth. Offerings usually include candles, marigolds, incense, sugar skulls, photographs and other objects and foods enjoyed by loved ones who have passed.