Day of the Dead Word Search (Free Printable + Answer Key)

This Day of the Dead word search is a meaningful fall classroom activity for 3rd–8th grade students, featuring words like Ofrenda, Marigold, Calavera, and Catrina. Free printable worksheet with answer key included.

Word List

OFRENDA: An altar set up at home or at a grave to welcome the spirits of loved ones, decorated with photos, food, flowers, and candles.
MARIGOLD: A bright orange or yellow flower, called cempasúchil in Mexico. Its color and scent are said to guide spirits to the ofrenda.
CALAVERA: Spanish for skull. Colorful sugar skulls called calaveras decorate ofrendas, sometimes with a loved one's name written on top.
PAPELPICADO: Papel picado, colorful tissue paper cut into detailed designs and strung as banners over altars and streets.
PANDEMUERTO: Pan de muerto, a sweet bread made for the Day of the Dead, often decorated with dough shaped like bones.
CATRINA: La Catrina, an elegantly dressed female skeleton first drawn by artist José Guadalupe Posada. She is a beloved symbol of the holiday.
ANCESTORS: Family members who lived before us, such as great-grandparents. The holiday honors ancestors and loved ones who have died.
CANDLES: Sticks of wax that give light when lit. Candles on the ofrenda are said to light the way for visiting spirits.
MEXICO: The country in North America where Día de los Muertos is most widely celebrated, with roots in Indigenous and Catholic traditions.
REMEMBRANCE: The act of remembering someone. The Day of the Dead is a celebration of remembrance, filled with stories and family time.

About Day of the Dead

Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1 and 2, mainly in Mexico and by Mexican communities around the world. Families honor loved ones who have died by building home altars called ofrendas, decorating them with marigolds, photographs, candles, and favorite foods. It is a joyful celebration of memory, not a Mexican version of Halloween.

Day of the Dead Vocabulary

This word search covers Day of the Dead traditions: the OFRENDA altar, bright MARIGOLD flowers, the CALAVERA sugar skull, PAPELPICADO banners, PANDEMUERTO bread, and the elegant CATRINA, all centered on REMEMBRANCE of ANCESTORS.

How to Use This Word Search in Class

Use this word search to introduce the holiday, then talk about how it differs from Halloween. Students can make a small paper ofrenda for a family member, a pet, or a historical figure they admire.

Printable Day of the Dead Word Search Worksheet

Click the print button to print this day of the dead word search. The printable version includes the puzzle grid and word list, perfect for classroom handouts or homework.

Try the Crossword Version

Day of the Dead Crossword

More Holidays word searches | Make your own word search