Make a mask for The Day of the Dead or Halloween that looks good enough to eat!


halloween sugar skull

Supplies:

  • 8 1/2” x 11” sheet of white card stock
  • Glitter glue pens
  • Pencil
  • Black permanent marker
  • Scissors
  • Hole-punch
  • String or ribbon
  • Rhinestones

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Here's How:

1.  Use a pencil to sketch an outline of a skull.

2.  Use scissors to cut out the printed or drawn skull and then trace around it with pencil onto the sheet of white card stock.

3.  Next, draw over the pencil lines with permanent marker and then use scissors to cut the mask out. (A parent may need to help cut out the eyes and nose.)

4.  Then, use the glitter glue pens to create patterns and designs on the mask.

5.  Adhere rhinestones into thick dots of the glitter glue if desired.

6.  Allow the mask to dry completely; this may take overnight.

7.  Use a hole-punch to make one hole on each side of the mask and then tie a 14” length of string or ribbon to each hole.

8.  Now, tie the mask on and begin the celebration!

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

More Ideas:

A similar glitter effect can be made by drawing designs with white glue and then sprinkling loose glitter onto them. Try this technique with colored craft sand, too.
Instead of glitter glue, use paint, markers, stickers, rubber stamps or cut paper to decorate the mask.
White glue can be used to adhere embellishments, too.
Decorate the mask with dots by pressing the tips of cotton swabs into wet craft paint and then stamping them onto the skull.
If rhinestones aren’t available, use buttons, beads and/or sequins instead.
Glue string or pom-poms onto the mask for additional accents.
Give the mask a more natural look by decorating it with seeds, sticks and tiny stones.
Add funny hair or a hat to the mask.
Use black card stock instead of white; fluorescent or glow-in-the dark paints would show up great on it.
In place of white cardstock, use colored card stock, a sheet of craft foam or even just a piece of thin cardboard.

---------------
Pamela Maxwell is an artist, author and mother of two busy little boys. Her craft and scrapbooking projects have appeared in numerous books and magazines. Her most recent book is “Memories in Miniature.” Photo by Pamela Maxwell.

 

Art with Alyssa: Kente Cloth Paper Weaving

Art with Alyssa: Kente Cloth Paper Weaving

Looking for a fun and educational Black History Month art project to do with kids? Consider this paper weaving craft inspired by traditional Kente cloth of Ghana. Learn about the cultural significan . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: 2025 Lunar New Year Snake Craft

Art with Alyssa: 2025 Lunar New Year Snake Craft

2025 is the Year of the Snake! Lunar New Year is celebrated by one fifth of the world’s population in countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore as well as diasporic . . .

Read more

Chinese New Year Lion Lantern

Chinese New Year Lion Lantern

Light up a Chinese New Year celebration with this lively lantern -- a perfect project to do at home with the kids!SuppliesRed paper lanternSheet of red tissue paper1 sheet of office paperScraps of c . . .

Read more

Printable Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids

Printable Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids

Print our adorable, FREE Valentine’s Day cards on cardstock or paper and the kids will be ready to spread some Valentine’s Day cheer to friends and classmates. Have the kids sign their names on . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa:  Heart Garland for Valentine’s Day

Art with Alyssa: Heart Garland for Valentine’s Day

  Encourage creativity and warm fuzzies this Valentine’s Day with a beautiful heart banner (also referred to as a bunting). There is lots of room for interpretation as each participant chooses . . .

Read more

Make and Send a Hug to Loved Ones

Make and Send a Hug to Loved Ones

Don’t you miss hugging people? Here’s a clever DIY hug craft that lets loved ones know they are missed! Whether it’s Mother's Day, Father’s Day, Teacher Appreciation, a birthday or some othe . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: African Maasai Family

Art with Alyssa: African Maasai Family

Celebrate diversity and families with this easy project that utilizes fabric scraps and materials you may already have. Consider framing the finished artwork and gifting it to a family member. The p . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Story Collage Inspired by Faith Ringgold

Art with Alyssa: Story Collage Inspired by Faith Ringgold

Teach children about Black history by studying famous African-American artists and creating art inspired by their work. Here is information about Faith Ringgold, who is best known for her story quil . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Collage Inspired by Artist Alma Thomas

Art with Alyssa: Collage Inspired by Artist Alma Thomas

One way to learn about Black history with kids is to study famous African-American artists and create art inspired by their work. Here are discussion points about Alma Woodsey Thomas and a mosaic pr . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: “Stained Glass” Tissue Paper Project

Art with Alyssa: “Stained Glass” Tissue Paper Project

This art project is inspired by the works of Justin Sterling, a Black artist who had an art installation at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park in 2023 called Chapel of the Rocks. L . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Pop Art Hearts

Art with Alyssa: Pop Art Hearts

A fun art project to do with kids on Valentine’s Day or anytime of the year.Pop Art artists of the 1960s, such as Andy Warhol, used everyday objects as inspiration for art. In the 1980s another grou . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Heart Batik Mural

Art with Alyssa: Heart Batik Mural

Plan a Family Art Night that includes making a heart batik mural, homemade Valentine’s Day cards and other creative projects. This fabric batik wall hanging is beautiful and would also make a nice . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Tint and Shade Hearts

Art with Alyssa: Tint and Shade Hearts

Learn tinting and shading with this fun and educational art project that is great for Valentine’s Day or anytime of the year. It works best with oil pastels, but chalk pastel would work as well. D . . .

Read more

Underground Railroad Quilt Square Craft

Underground Railroad Quilt Square Craft

To commemorate Black History Month, do some research as a family on the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman. Then construct your own bowtie quilt square with paper. Discussion for families: Har . . .

Read more

Be Family Informed – Sign up for our Newsletters below!

Subscribe