I made these cute Sugar Skull Dolls with my girls for, Halloween a few years ago now, and Day of The Dead (Día de Muertos) and they turned out so beautifully that I thought I’d share how to make them with you.
They look fantastic as stand-alone ornaments but also look amazing added to table centerpieces!
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
If you like this then you may also like some of my other Halloween Crafts like my Felt & Feather Halloween Garland, Needle Felt Spiders and Upcycled Halloween Wreath.
Materials Needed To Make Sugar Skull Dolls
- Card (empty cereal packet is fine or you could use card stock (UK Amazon link, polystyrene ball,
- patterned paper (I used fancy wrapping paper from Paperchase)
- double sided sticky tape,
- pva (white) glue,
- permanent marker pens,
- non bleed tissue paper,
- cotton pipe cleaners
- felt scraps
How To Make The Sugar Skull Dolls Body
1. Draw a circle about 21-22 cm in diameter (I use a plate to draw around) on a piece of card. You can use card stock or an old cereal box which is what I’ve used for this tutorial. Cut the circle in half and keep one semicircle to make the doll dress.
2. Cut a piece of patterned paper to cover the semicircle making sure you add an extra 1cm all the way round to fold over and glue to the back. Glue ths in place but before folding over around the curved edge make small incisions all the way around so that the paper will fold over and glue neatly.
3. When dry find the center of the straight edge and gently bend the two ends in to form a cone. Try not to crease the cone. Allow the cone to undo and add two strips of double sided sticky tape to each edge see picture. Now curl the edges back around and stick in place. If the card is thick you may need to add a little PVA glue in between where the sticky strips hold the cone together.
You may also like these craft projects; Egg Carton Bat & Ghost Bunting, Ghost & Skull Soaps and Paper Pumpkin Bunting
How To Make The Sugar Skull Dolls Head
1. Using a sharp pencil make a hole in the polystyrene ball so that the point of the cone can be glued inside.
2. Using permanent marker pens (sharpies are great for this) draw your sugar skull face on.
3. Using a sharp point (I use a nail) make 2 holes towards the top of the cone and thread your pipe cleaner through (I use a natural coloured one) and bend the arms into shape. Glue the head on and allow to dry.
How To Make The Sugar Skull Dolls Hat
1. Glue a doubled up piece of rectangular shaped tissue to the top of the head and curl the edges to make a hat (it’s a smaller version of this tissue paper hat). You may need to hold it in place and shape it a little whilst it dries.
2. Finally, add some felt flowers to the side of the hat and one between her hands …
Finished.
The pink Sugar Skull Doll was made last year and considering she has been played with loads she’s weathered pretty well.
emma
Oh how cute are these?! I am going to make some up for halloween, they are great! <3
emma
Oh how cute are these?! I am going to make some up for halloween, they are great! <3
Choclette
These are gorgeous. How clever of you and a great tutorial to show us how it’s done.
Choclette
These are gorgeous. How clever of you and a great tutorial to show us how it’s done.
Rachael Phillips
This is really cute!!!!
Rachael Phillips
This is really cute!!!!
Alexis
This is adorable!! I love sugar skulls and it seems super easy!! 🙂
Alexis
This is adorable!! I love sugar skulls and it seems super easy!! 🙂
Viccy Howe
How creative! I actually (randomly) have some polystyrene balls from an old craft project, so I might do these Sugar Skull Dolls ready for Mexico’s Day of the Dead event. Thank you xx
Viccy Howe
How creative! I actually (randomly) have some polystyrene balls from an old craft project, so I might do these Sugar Skull Dolls ready for Mexico’s Day of the Dead event. Thank you xx
Jessica
They look lovely. I used to make angels that way with my grandma at Christmas 🙂
Jessica
They look lovely. I used to make angels that way with my grandma at Christmas 🙂
T'onna @ USS Crafty
So cute and clever!!!
Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party!
T'onna @ USS Crafty
So cute and clever!!!
Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party!
Elba Valverde
These are adorable! The hats are so cute and the colors <3
Elba Valverde
These are adorable! The hats are so cute and the colors <3
Eileen Teo
Thank you for sharing with us #pintorials Totally love it! So pretty!
Eileen Teo
Thank you for sharing with us #pintorials Totally love it! So pretty!
Marie-Claude Leroux
Love these! Stopping by from #pintorials, and so excited to try out this craft!
Marie-Claude Leroux
Love these! Stopping by from #pintorials, and so excited to try out this craft!
Carrie
Oh, these are great!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday
Carrie
Oh, these are great!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday
C.Lem (creativeclementine)
I am so in love with these!! Adorable and easy. Two very, very important qualities to have. 🙂
C.Lem (creativeclementine)
I am so in love with these!! Adorable and easy. Two very, very important qualities to have. 🙂
Lisa Coomer Queen
This is so cute! My granddaughter will love to try this. Thanks!
Lisa Coomer Queen
This is so cute! My granddaughter will love to try this. Thanks!
Mrs. Annette
I enjoyed the sugar skull craft idea. Do people ever comment it is representing death to children. Some times, I have used skulls in creating sf characters from literature. Most children at the library laughed and wanted the work so I gave it all away.
I like this sugar skull idea because it is easier and kids may try to make them. Mexico and Frida Kahlo were my favorite bases for making dolls. Kahlo loved sugar skulls as a gift from her friends. thanks atk
ZingZingTree
Thank you. Nobody has commented about the dolls representing death to children … yet 🙂 My girls are quite interested in ‘Día de Muertos’ and the idea that it’s a day to remember loved ones and pets who have died and celebrate who they were and are. They don’t see the sugar skulls as something to be scared of as they understand the sentiment behind them.
Mrs. Annette
I enjoyed the sugar skull craft idea. Do people ever comment it is representing death to children. Some times, I have used skulls in creating sf characters from literature. Most children at the library laughed and wanted the work so I gave it all away.
I like this sugar skull idea because it is easier and kids may try to make them. Mexico and Frida Kahlo were my favorite bases for making dolls. Kahlo loved sugar skulls as a gift from her friends. thanks atk
ZingZingTree
Thank you. Nobody has commented about the dolls representing death to children … yet 🙂 My girls are quite interested in ‘Día de Muertos’ and the idea that it’s a day to remember loved ones and pets who have died and celebrate who they were and are. They don’t see the sugar skulls as something to be scared of as they understand the sentiment behind them.
Indiana Obando
Beautiful doll design for the Day of the Dead altar! How do you make the mini felt flowers?
ZingZingTree
You cut a small rough circle and then cut into the circle to make a spiral snake. Starting from the middle of the spiral you roll it up into a flower and glue the end … I’ll do a blog post and link it in but if you google felt flowers you’ll easily find a ‘how to’
Indiana Obando
Beautiful doll design for the Day of the Dead altar! How do you make the mini felt flowers?
ZingZingTree
You cut a small rough circle and then cut into the circle to make a spiral snake. Starting from the middle of the spiral you roll it up into a flower and glue the end … I’ll do a blog post and link it in but if you google felt flowers you’ll easily find a ‘how to’
Cassi
I love how easy this is and with such great results! I’ll be sharing this on The Crafty Crow soon 🙂
ZingZingTree
Aw, thank you. Glad you liked it 🙂
Cassi
I love how easy this is and with such great results! I’ll be sharing this on The Crafty Crow soon 🙂
ZingZingTree
Aw, thank you. Glad you liked it 🙂
Sankrithi
Excellent !!
What an amazing idea.
I will do it,
Sankrithi
Excellent !!
What an amazing idea.
I will do it,
ZEEZEE
Cute! I am using this for a project! Thanks!!!
Ali
Day of the Day is not Halloween
It’s disrespectful culturally to mush them together
Do you research and stop appropriating Mexican culture for your cute purposes
BlueBearWood
I never said it was and haven’t mushed them together 🙂