Sugar Skull Magnet Craft

2 min read September 13, 2026 Laura Russell
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Brightly colored sugar skull magnets are a fun way to decorate for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos and are simple to make! Use air dry clay, paint, hot glue and a magnet to create the cute craft.

Project Time
30 to 40 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Step
1

Pull a small piece of modeling clay from the package. Roll the clay in your hands and manipulate it so that it gets softer and easier to mold.

 

Sugar Skull Magnet Craft step 1
Step
2

Make a general skull shape by creating a larger rounded top with the clay that goes a little thinner at the bottom for the jaw. Add in the round eye sockets, an upside down "v" shape for the nose, and then make the mouth.

I looked at an image of a skull on my phone, which helped me make my skull more realistic. I used a pencil tip to create the indents for the eyes and to make a straight line across for the mouth.

Be sure to leave the back of the skull somewhat flat so that you can glue a magnet on the back later.

Once you are satisfied with the skull, set it out in a safe place where it won't be touched and let it dry until fully hardened, which will be at least a day.

Sugar Skull Magnet Craft step 2
Step
3

Use a paintbrush and craft paint to paint the skull white. Once the white paint is dry, paint the eye sockets black, then let dry.

 

Sugar Skull Magnet Craft step 3
Step
4

Apply a thin layer or two of Matte Mod Podge with a paintbrush to seal in the paint. Let dry.

 

Sugar Skull Magnet Craft step 4
Step
5

Use dimensional paint to create all the fun doodles, swirls, flowers and dots that you would like on your skull. Get creative and use lots of colors to make your skull look like the Day of the Dead skulls.

Sugar Skull Magnet Craft step 5
Step
6

Use a glue gun and hot glue to attach a magnet to the back of the painted skull.

 

Sugar Skull Magnet Craft step 6
Step
7

Stick your cool sugar skull magnet on the fridge as a fun and unique way to decorate for Dia de los Muertos and Halloween!

 

Sugar Skull Magnet Craft step 7

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