How To: Get Festive with Sugar Skulls
Halloween might look a bit different this year, some plans changed, or traditions broken, but why not lean into fun new experiences for your little ones?
Halloween is the perfect time to introduce your kids to another tradition celebrated mostly in Mexico: Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Day of the Dead begins Nov. 1 and ends on Nov. 2, giving families time to remember lost ones and lay out offerings (pictures, marigolds, sugar skulls and decorated altars) to any spirits that wish to visit in the night. On Nov. 2, families visit cemeteries to loved one’s graves and bring the offerings from the altars.
Teaching professionals and psychologists alike agree that teaching children about other cultures in fun and interesting ways gives them a sense of community and reduces fear and bullying in schools. This year, turn on Disney’s Coco and introduce your little ones to sugar skulls in the hopes of opening the door to explore another culture.
Ingredients:
Skull:
1 cup meringue powder
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon water
- Mix ingredients together in a bowl, squeezing until it keeps a ball-like shape.
- Press the paste into a sugar skull mold (click here to buy one on Amazon) making sure there are no large air bubbles.
- Let sit for 24 hours or until hardened.
- Remove from mold gently, edges will shed.
Decorative Icing:
1 pound confectioner’s sugar
¼ cup meringue powder
1/3 cup water
Food coloring
- Combine all ingredients except for food coloring into a large mixing bowl, stirring until icing forms soft peaks.
- Separate icing into equal parts in Ziploc bags (according to how many colors you want to use).
- Add 1-2 drops of food coloring to each smaller bag of icing, seal bag and cut a small hole in the corners to create your own piping bags.
From here, let your little one’s creativity run wild. Traditional sugar skulls have outlined eyes, nose and teeth with swirls and flowers decorating the face and head. Work quickly, because the icing will dry fast, and have fun!