Cinco De Mayo Crafts for Kids

Cinco de Mayo (“The Fifth of May” in Spanish) is a national holiday in Mexico and also widely celebrated in the United States. While it historically commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over the French army in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, Cinco de Mayo has become an annual celebration of Mexican culture—with amazing food, music, dancing, and customs.

Here are some ways to teach kids about Cinco de Mayo, while involving them in a fun activity.

Paper Plate Sombreros and Easter Egg Maracas

We Have Aars shared how to make paper plate sombreros and Easter egg maracas with items she already had around the house.  You could easily teach your children/students how to make these maracas while incorporating it into an easy lesson about Cinco De Mayo.

Frida Kahlo Inspired Floral Headband

This craft by My Poppet was inspired by Frida Kahlo, the famous Mexican painter well-known for her portraits and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Kahlo often wore flowers in her hair, which people also wear during Cinco De Mayo celebrations, along with brightly colored clothing like those found in traditional Mexican dresses.

DIY Paper Plants

Succulent plants are everywhere in Mexico. They even used in soups, salads, and main entrees as grilled cactus leaves.  The House that Lars Built offers a free template and easy to follow instructions on how to make paper plants that double as a cute decoration.

DIY Mini Piñatas

Make your own piñatas with this easy tutorial from kawaiisweetworld. No doubt there will be many brightly colored piñatas hung up this Cinco de Mayo. This Mexican tradition has been part of the culture for hundreds of years and was brought to the New World by the Spanish.

Mini Piñata Dancing Girls Party Favors

Here is another tutorial for making your own piñatas. These dancing girls would be perfect for any Cinco De Mayo celebration.

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo At Home

Decorate your home with colorful handmade decorations like flags, banners, and flowers. Throw on some mariachi music, hang the piñata and prepare for a fiesta. The colors closely associated with Cinco de Mayo are the official colors of the Mexican flag (red, white and green).

Don’t forget to make some Mexican-inspired dishes such as guacamole, tacos, and chips with salsa. Kids will love building their own tacos, so set out shells, meat, cheese, and toppings and let them make their own.

Most importantly, kids should know why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo. By making learning fun with hands-on crafts, we help them understand the culture and the history of the celebration.