Day of the Dead Ideas: Exploring Vibrant Celebrations, Easy Yoga Poses, and Picture Books for Kids
Today, we step into a world of vibrant colors, lively music, and joyful celebrations as we embrace the enchanting holiday of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos).
I was fortunate enough to experience the magic firsthand in the heart of San Francisco—the streets came alive with an explosion of colors during the early days of November. Skeleton bodysuits, flower garlands, and the rhythmic beats of mariachi music created an unforgettable experience of festivities.
I can still feel the pulse of the celebrations—the spirited dances, the aroma of incense, and the lively parades winding through the city. While this joyous holiday originated in Mexico as an honoring of deceased loved ones, its legacy resonates in various corners of the globe.
My Mexican American friend, Jenai, says:
“I rediscovered this holiday in the years that I’ve been outside of my country. For me, this separation has brought me closer to a holiday that my family didn’t really celebrate much while I was growing up.
Photo credit: Jenai Medina
Seeing how important it is to my culture outside of the country I grew up in and now adopting it as part of my new identity of a Mexican expat, I have wanted to incorporate this beautiful ritual into my daughter’s childhood.
Because my dad passed seven years ago, this has become an even stronger holiday for me personally. I think it’s lovely to remember our loved ones with such beautiful folklore!”
The way the Latino culture embraces the memories of loved ones, weaving them into a communal celebration, has always moved me. It’s a beautiful reminder that grieving doesn’t have to be scary, but can be a time of connection, as well as a celebration of life’s gifts, both past and present.
Reflecting on my five years of teaching in Guatemala, I cherish the community-oriented living that characterizes Latino culture. The Day of the Dead serves as another theme idea to infuse into our children’s yoga experiences, blending light-heartedness with activity.
Perhaps, like my own child, yours have already encountered the enchanting tales of el Día de los Muertos through the lens of the beloved Disney movie Coco.
Some intriguing facts about this Mexican holiday:
- While its roots lie in Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a global celebration.
- Marked on November 1st and 2nd (with a bit of flexibility), it seeks to bring to life memories of departed loved ones in a joyous manner.
- Families and friends gather to share food, music, and gifts, while constructing elaborate altars to honor the deceased.
- Face-painting, skeleton costumes, parades, flower wreaths, and shared meals are integral parts of the festivities.
Join me as we explore the richness of the Day of the Dead through literacy and movement, discovering how it can become a beautiful and meaningful addition to our children’s lives, fostering understanding and appreciation for the interconnectedness of life and remembrance.
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5 DAY OF THE DEAD YOGA POSES
Below, you’ll find five yoga poses inspired by the traditions of Día de los Muertos. Try these postures and then make up your own. Focus on having fun and learning through movement—don’t worry about perfectly aligned poses.
1. Pretend to be the colorful banners (papel picado) swaying in the breeze.
How to practice Extended Cat Pose: Come to all fours, extend one leg out behind you, and look forward. Take the opposite arm out in front of you to counter balance. Pretend to be the colorful banners (papel picado) swaying in the breeze. Repeat on the other side.
2. Pretend to be sitting at the alter (ofrenda) blowing on your hot chocolaty drink (atole).
How to practice Hero Pose with Extended Exhale Breath: Come to rest upright on your heels with your palms resting on your knees. Take in a slow three-count inhale, followed by a long, slow six-count extended exhale with your mouth open, making an audible whooshing sound. Pretend to cool your atole drink.
3. Pretend to be the sweet bread (pan de muerto) enjoyed by the family.
How to practice Child’s Pose: Sitting on your heels, slowly bring your forehead down to rest on the floor in front of your knees. Rest your arms down alongside your body and take a few deep breaths. Pretend to be the sweet bread (pan de muerto) enjoyed by the family.
4. Pretend to be the marigold flowers (flores) decorated around the house.
How to practice Flower Pose: Come to sit on your buttocks with a tall spine, lift your bent legs, balance on your sitting bones, and weave your arms under your legs with your palms facing up. Pretend to be the marigold flowers (flores) decorated around the house.
5. Pretend to be the candles (velas) brightening up the day.
How to practice Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose: Lie flat on your back then slowly raise your legs straight up toward the sky, making an L shape with your body. Keeping your legs together, flex your feet. Spread your arms out to either side and keep your neck in a neutral position. You could also rest your legs up a wall instead. Pretend to be the candles (velas) brightening up the day.
6 DAY OF THE DEAD BOOKS FOR KIDS
Dia de Los Muertos
by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Carles Ballesteros
With delightful and colorful illustrations, this story is a perfect introduction to the Day of the Dead through its rhyming, uplifting text.
Our Day of the Dead Celebration
by Ana Aranda
With bright, colorful illustrations, this story shows how families work together to prepare for the Day of the Dead in a joyful, collaborative way.
An Ofrenda for Perro
by Judith Valdés B. and Carlos Vélez Aguilera
This is a sweet story about a boy who grieves his dog and how the family prepares for Day of the Dead by creating an alter for their much-loved pet. This would be a lovely story to discuss how we can celebrate the love we have for loved ones who have passed in an age-appropriate, relevant way for children.
Day of the Dead: A Count and Find Primer
by Greg Paprocki
This board book has gorgeous illustrations and includes a count to ten of the popular items that make up the Day of the Dead. This would be a great visual to share with a kids yoga class as you act out each item with yoga poses.
Daniela’s Day of the Dead
by Lisa Bullard and Holli Conger
This book is part of the Holiday book series by Cloverleaf books. The stories are informative, engaging, straightforward, and share important facts about the holidays.
Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos: History, Traditions, and Activities
by Melanie Stuart-Campbell
This is a great resource to learn more about what makes this day special, along with several art projects, recipes, and games.
Other Day of the Dead Books:
The Dead Family Diaz
by P.J. Bracegirdle and Poly Bernatene
The Festival of Bones: El Festival de las Calaveras
by Luis San Vicente, John William Byrd, and Bobby Byrd
Clatter Bash: A Day of the Dead Celebration
by Richard Keep
The Day of the Dead: El Día de Los Muertos: A Bilingual Celebration
by Bob Barner and Teresa Mlawer
Celebrate the World’s Día de Los Muertos board book
by Hannah Eliot and Jorge Gutierrez
Check out our friends over at Growing Book By Book for more ideas.
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