Easy to make papel picado calaveras: Day of the Dead or el Dia de los Muertos decoration garland video tutorial
Make a fabulous DIY papel picado calavera garland or banner, inspired by Day of the Dead here at Happythought.
Last year we put together a template and video showing you how to make traditional papel picado. This year we are on a Calavera (careta or Sugar Skull mask) tip (see our 3D calavera or careta mask template), so we decided to try something a little different and we are thrilled with the results – we hope you like them too!
Papel picado calaveras: Photo & Video Tutorial
Making your own sugar skull papel picado is easy. Follow these simple step-by-step photo instructions below or watch our video tutorial on our youtube channel.
DIY papel picado calavera: Step-by-step photo tutorial
To make papel picado calaveras you will need:
• Crepe paper in at least 3 colors
• Scissors
• Masking tape (colored if available)
• Happythought Calavera papel picado templates (download here)
INSTRUCTIONS: HOW TO MAKE DIY PAPEL PICADO CALAVERA
There are 3 basic stages in the making of the papel picado.
1. PREPARATION
First, cut your crepe paper down into approx. 20 x 12.5cm size sheets.
Next, fold your printed template down the middle (along the dotted line) with the instructions on the outside. Using 4 sheets at a time, fold the crepe paper in half. Then assemble a ‘book’ with the template sheet as the cover.
Secure the top of your book with a little masking tape. Make sure that the crepe paper doesn’t slip when you are cutting out the shapes.
2. CUTTING OUT THE ASSEMBLED SHEETS
You’re now ready to start cutting out your Sugar Skull papel picado! We prefer using scissors. They are easier to handle, especially if you have any little helpers.
Like making paper snowflakes, carefully cut out all the shapes on the interior of the skull template. Then folding again when necessary (as shown) to access the ‘interior’ shapes,. Again follow the template guide to cut around the edges.
When you’ve finished cutting, remove the masking tape from the top. Next flatten out your book and remove the template cover. Be careful when separating the sheets of crepe paper as they can be quite fragile.
Repeat this process with another 4 sheets of crepe paper and the second template sheet. Once you have made 3 or four sets of papels, you are ready to create your garland!
3. STRINGING UP THE PAPEL PICADO WITH MASKING TAPE
Unroll a length of masking tape and lay it out on a flat surface with the sticky side facing up. Carefully place the skulls on the tape in alternate colours. The top tabs of the skulls should only cover half of the width of the masking tape.
Next, fold the tape over to create your garland as shown. To keep things simple, we recommend sticking no more than 5 or 6 at a time. To make a really long garland you can easily stick two lengths together with a little more masking tape.
An alternative method to stringing your garland is to fold over the top tab on your skulls. Lay a length of ribbon along the groove of the fold and turn the flap over the ribbon. Then secure with a glue stick or a little sticky tape.
So, what do you think? Not too tricky, right?
Remember too, if you store your Calavera papel picado carefully you can use them over and over!
DIY Papel Picado calavera: Happythought papel picado template kit (12 patterns)
Papel picado banners, butterfly, calavera, mini flags, birds and hearts plus mini papel picado garland templates. Available in the Dia de los Muertos printables and decorations kit. Calavera cat mask template, Day of the Dead craft worksheets and a beautiful paper flower corona.
Our popular papel picado tutorial and the more recent how to make butterfly papel picado.
Make your fiesta the best!
Did you know?
Happythought membership will get a discount of 50% on all these Day of the Dead printables and templates!
Happythought CraftClub
Being a Happythought member will also gain you access to the ever growing CraftClub library. Only for Happythought members , it is packed with over 100s of free Happythought CraftClub templates, PDF craft activities and classroom worksheets. All free!
More papel picado templates, step-by-step instructions and video tutorials:
We hope you enjoyed our DIY papel picado calavera tutorial. If so, please give us a little love; by liking us on facebook, pinning us on pinterest or following us on twitter. Thank you!
Hi! Where can I find crepe paper in that size? Tried Michaels, and no luck! I only found the crepe streamers.
Teacher – for educational purposes – Thanks@
Thank you so much, looking forward to using these with my kids. What a great idea to decorate.
Love the papel picado calavera templates!
Thank you! Looking forward to using this easy to make papel picado templates.
Looking forward to making all of the cute things you post !!!
thank you a loooot!!! 😀
Exelente easy to make calavera papel picado templates!
These papel picado templates are cool and I can’t wait to make the for our Day of the Dead art class project!!!
Awesome!
Such a cute idea! Thank you!
Thank you SOO much for sharing such beautiful materials to work with!! I have just purchased the entire Day of the Dead Printable package and I am SOO excited to start decorating! This year, we will celebrate both Halloween and the Day of The Dead, for the first time! Obviously it is in honour of the Mexican celebration, our family members who have passed, and out of complete respect! Thank you SOO much for sharing!
Really nice, thank you!
Thank you for the free papel picado calavera templates!!!
Thank you!!
gracias esta super padre segura lo hago!! me encanta el dia de muertos
Easy to make garlands!
I look forward to sharing these with my class.
Thank you for the information it is wonderful and I am very excited to use it in my class.
Calaveras template. Can’t wait to make these ; – )
Muy suave me puedes mandar las calaveritas.
Hola, me encanto la idea si podrias mandarme el molde de la calaberita porfiss. saludos desde Oaxaca, Mexico
Thank you so much, here in Mexico, they are all ready done, so the kids always said things like, I don’t like, and you know, but with this I’m going to me make them do it so the can know that is not a super easy so they can appreciate what other people do only for our decoration!!! =0
Thank you again =) your web is extraordinary.
Estan muy bonitas las calaveras
Moldes de las calaveras y el papel picado dia de muertos!
Great craft for my class!
I love these templates to print!
These are great free templates to download….
Thanks, you saved my dia de muuertos!
Great Idea, will use this for door decoration!
me encanto las calaveritas si me podrían enviar el molde por favor
I cannot Thank You more! I made 200 of these, a little different, for my wedding 🙂 THANK YOU!
Love the templates… Thank you for sharing. I will be ready for this year’s Dia de los Muertos!!!
Love these! Having my students make them as a decoration for our Halloween/Day of Dead dance.
Love your ideas! So easy and fun to do with kids! Congratulations and Happy Halloween!
Tilly
you guys are TERRIFIC!!!
thanks for sharing, kids love it
Happy DIA DE LOS MUERTOS- HALLOWEEN
WE LOVE OCTOBER 31. NOV 01 + 02!
Eve
Awesome, keep up the fantastic work, NBx