Cinco de Mayo, also known as the Fifth of May, is a federal holiday in Mexico celebrated on May 5th. Although it is not Mexican Independence Day, it is widely celebrated in the United States and other countries with significant Mexican populations. The day is marked with parades, music, food, and traditional festivals celebrating the victory of the Mexican military over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Below are 25 fun and festive ideas for kids to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
1. Organize a Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival
Host an organized parade and festival in your community to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Set up different stations with activities such as piñata making, traditional Mexican games, and a taco bar where kids can create their own tacos. Or, opt for a nacho bar with tortilla chips and fillings like guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.
2. Decorate with纸花
Create colorful papel picado decorations for your classroom or home by folding tissue paper into different shapes and cutting along the lines. Hang them up with string to add festive flair.
3. Craft sombrero cookies
Prepare simple sombrero cookies in the shape of Mexican hats using pre-made sugar cookies, frosting, gumdrops, and toppings. Let kids decorate the brim of the hats with frosting, sprinkles, and nonpareils.
4. Play talking tacos
Set up a taco bar at your Cinco de Mayo celebration and label each taco ingredient. Encourage kids to use food vocabulary and work on verbal fluency by describing the ingredients and creating questions for others.
5. Conduct a cinco de mayo fact book project
Create a informative foldable booklet with interesting facts about Cinco de Mayo, including origins, significance, and how it is celebrated in Mexico and the United States.
6. Make easy paper bag piñatas
Decorate regular brown paper bags with tissue paper, glue/tape, string, and candy. Add fringes and streamers made from tissue paper to hang up the piñatas.
7. Play vocabulary go fish
Construct Go Fish decks with picture cards related to Cinco de Mayo, such asbatalla (battle), ejército (army), victoria (victory), bandera (flag), celebración (celebration), fiesta (party), desfile (parade), baile (dance). Pool students' cards, shuffle, and play Go Fish.
8. Read picture books about cinco de mayo
Use picture books to introduce kids to Cinco de Mayo and cultural learning. Choose books that feature Mexican themes and celebrate the holiday or Mexican culture.
9. Perform the mexican hat dance
Instruct students on how to make Mexican hat dances using plastic Easter eggs, spoons, rice, tape, and maracas. Demonstrate the Jarabe Tapatiño (Mexican Hat Dance) for kids to learn and enjoy.
10. Hold a cinco de mayo lottery card game
Create a simple Mexican Lottery Card Game with bingo boards and cards featuring common Mexican vocabulary words. Let kids play and learn about the holiday through play.
11. Create papel picado crafts
Learn how to make papel picado decorations, including traditional Mexican folk art made in the same way that snowflake cutouts. Fold tissue paper into symmetrical shapes and cut, opening up decorations with patterns.
12. Decorate pueblan floats with recycled materials
Research celebrations in Puebla, find examples of floats from previous years, and have students recreate the floats from recycled materials like cereal boxes and oatmeal canisters.
13. Make a piñata inspired napkin ring
Cut cheerful piñata-inspired napkin rings from vibrant fabrics inspired by a colorful Mexican blanket. Assemble napkin rings with easy instructions and materials you already have on hand.
14. Make your own paper bag cactus
Craft a fun and educational paper bag cactus using brown paper bags, colored cardstock, scissors, glue, and a dark green marker. Follow the easy tutorial in the video.
15. DIY Mexican maracas under $3
Instruct students to make Mexican maracas using plastic eggshells, china masking tape, paintbrushes, glitter gems, and other small items found at any convenience store.
16. Decorate with paper flower bouquets
Create paper flower bouquets using colorful strings, staples, and pipe cleaners. These large, vibrant flowers can be used as decorations or art projects and make a beautiful addition to any celebration.
17. Make clay pot sombreros
Craft clay pot sombreros with colorful ribbon, pom-poms, and a small dowel to use as place cards. Customizing the sombreros with vibrant colors will add an artistic touch to your festive party.
18. Develop a piñata inspired by the mexican holiday
Create a piñata inspired by traditional Mexican festive decorations like the墨西哥帽子 and piñatas. Use basic supplies and instructions from the tutorial.
19. Decorate with papel picado cacti
Embroider festive papel picado decorations, including paper cacti using only basic supplies. Assemble these eye-catching decorations for infusing a festive atmosphere into any fiesta or party.
20. Make a three-dimensional paper cactus decoration
Construct 3D paper cactus decorations using three paper sheets, scissors, pens, and markers. The free printable template makes the process even easier and is perfect for summer crafting.
21. Make amate paintings
Discover the captivating mexican folk art tradition of amate painting with colorful paper bags, black markers, and paint colors. This educational activity introduces kids to the fascinating history of amate paper, made from fig tree bark.
22. Create clay pot sombreros at home
Craft clay pot sombreros with colorful ribbon, pom-poms, and a small dowel to use as place cards. Customizing these sombreros with vibrant colors will add an artistic touch to your special event.
23. Develop a piñata inspired by the holiday
Create a piñata inspired by traditional Mexican festive decorations like the Mexican hat and piñatas. Use basic supplies and instructions from the tutorial.
24. Decorate with papel picado cacti
Embroider festive papel picado decorations, including paper cacti using only basic supplies. Assemble these eye-catching decorations for infusing a festive atmosphere into any fiesta or party.
25. Make your own Mexican maracas
Instruct students to make Mexican maracas using plastic eggshells, china masking tape, paintbrushes, glitter gems, and other small items found at any convenience store.
