Papel Picado for Kids

A 45–60 minute craft that mixes art, culture and math (symmetry!). Works from kindergarten to middle school, in art class, Spanish class or for Hispanic Heritage Month and Día de los Muertos.

Download the free class pack (PDF)

The pack has all eight templates, one per page, ready to photocopy.

HeartsEasy · Folded in quartersSun and StarsEasy · Folded in quartersEasy (for Kids)Easy · Folded in quartersPet PawEasy · Folded in half

Materials for a class of 25

• 25 copies of a template (one per student)
• 50–75 sheets of tissue paper, or copy paper for younger kids
• Safety scissors, paper clips, glue sticks
• A long piece of string to hang the class banner

Lesson plan

1. Talk (10 min). Show a real papel picado or a photo. Ask where they have seen it. Explain Día de los Muertos as a family celebration to remember loved ones — not “Mexican Halloween”.
2. Demonstrate (5 min). Fold a sheet with the template outside and cut one shape. Unfold it and ask: why did one cut make two holes?
3. Cut (20–30 min). Students cut their own sheet. Walk around and remind them to leave paper between shapes.
4. Hang (10 min). Glue every sheet to one string to make a class banner.

By age

• Ages 4–7: Easy template on copy paper, pre-folded by an adult.
• Ages 8–10: Hearts or Sun and Stars on tissue paper, folded in quarters.
• Ages 11–14: Sugar Skull or Monarch Butterfly, or design their own in the online maker and explain their symbols.

Connections

• Math: lines of symmetry — a half fold makes one, a quarter fold makes two.
• Spanish: papel picado, ofrenda, calavera, cempasúchil, mariposa.
• Social studies: how the tradition is made by artisans in Puebla. See papel picado meaning and history.