Even a tradition as old as the celebration of the Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has been embraced by modern technology in the forms of applications for your mobile phone and tablet.
Here is a list of free and paid apps to celebrate Day of the Dead compiled by NBC Latino:
*Día de Muertos by WashaWasha Games
This game is simple yet addicting. Skeletons pop up in boxes, and the player must wait to see the icon for which element of the ofrenda they need flowers, pan de muerto, prayer, or tequila, and then give it to them before they go back underground. Watch for the bar at the top that fills up as you miss feeding them. It means they are “pulling your feet.”
Find Día de Muertos on iTunes
Available for iPad and iPhone
Recommended for ages 12 and up
Price: FREE
*Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book by Jeanette Winter
This app is a riff on the interactive storybook genre. It lets you record yourself reading the story of Don Pedro Linares, a famous Mexican calavera maker. While the narrative is in English, the last half of the story is the abecedario with words like “candelera” and “tortillera.” The illustrations are skillful, and kids will love hearing their own or parents’ voices as part of the game.
Available for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android
Recommended for ages 4 and up
Price: $7.99
*Day of the Dead Experience the Tradition by University of Notre Dame
This game would make a good resource for students doing a school project about the holiday. It’s also interactive so parents can read about and discuss the topic of death with their children in a positive way.
Available for iPad and iPhone
Recommended for ages 4 and up
Price: FREE
*Day of the Dead Meby Simply Sweet Apps
Take a photo of anyone and use the app’s image tools to put hats, roses, painted eyes, and masks on your “dead face.” Halloween and Día de Muertos are combined wit this app.
Available for iPhone and iPod Touch
Recommended for ages 4 and up
Price: $0.99
*Rosita y Conchita by Peek ‘n Play Story Apps
This app is based on the bilingual book, Rosita y Conchita by Erich Haeger and Eric Gonzalez of Muertoons. On Day of the Dead, Conchita prepares an altar for her sister as Rosita’s tries to find her way while her spirit can still breakthrough. The app lets children choose to listen to the story in English or Spanish.
Available for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad
Recommended for 4-7, 8-10
Price: $4.99