Cinco de Mayo Activities for Kids: Festive Ideas
Embrace Mexican history with a bunch of Cinco de Mayo Activities for kids including printables, crafts, and more! Turn on some mariachi music and get creative.
More fun craft ideas for kids: Earth Day Crafts for Kids, Heart Crafts for Kids, Snowflake Crafts for Kids, and Keepsake Valentine’s Day Crafts.
Are you looking for engaging ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your kids? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of printable Cinco de Mayo activities that are not only entertaining but also educational. From colorful crafts to festive games, these activities are perfect for keeping little ones entertained while teaching them about the significance of this Mexican holiday.
Why You’ll Love These Ideas:
- Educational Fun: These Cinco de Mayo activities offer a fantastic opportunity to teach children about Mexican culture, history, and traditions in an interactive and hands-on way. From learning about the Battle of Puebla to exploring Mexican cuisine, kids will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of this important holiday.
- Creativity Unleashed: Whether it’s crafting papel picado banners or designing their own piñatas, these activities encourage children to unleash their creativity and imagination. They’ll have a blast making colorful decorations and playing games inspired by Cinco de Mayo festivities.
Understanding Cinco De Mayo:
Cinco de Mayo, which translates to the “Fifth of May” in Spanish, commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Mexican forces successfully defended the town of Puebla against the French, marking a significant victory for Mexico during the Franco-Mexican War. While Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day (which is actually celebrated on September 16), it has become a symbol of Mexican pride and heritage, celebrated with parades, music, food, and cultural festivities.
Supplies to have on hand:
There are a few craft supplies you will want to have on hand when make these crafts and working on these activities and Cinco de Mayo crafts.
- Construction paper
- Paper plates
- Acrylic paint
- Small paper cups
- Blank note cards
- Pom poms
- Tissue paper
- Dice
- Crayons
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Glue
- Cardboard
This is just a list of ideas, but use what you have to make these fun activities work with what you have on hand.
Cinco de Mayo Activities for Kids:
While Cinco de Mayo celebrates a Mexican victory over the French, many people are unaware that it isn’t really a Mexican holiday. It is mainly celebrated for people of Mexican heritage in the United States. Either way, it’s a very popular holiday in the States, and kids can learn about it early on with these Cinco de Mayo activities for kids.
Cinco de Mayo Word Scramble by The Benson Street
Unscramble new words with this fun themed word scramble printable. great way to kick off a Cinco de Mayo celebration, but don’t forget to enjoy some delicious Mexican food after you’ve solved all the scrambled words.
Cinco de Mayo Word Search by The Benson Street
Or if you prefer a word search to a word scramble, check out this free printable word search as one of many creative ways to celebrate the culture of Mexico. This one is a fun way to learn about the May 5th holiday in a classroom activity.
Cinco de Mayo Coloring Pages by The Benson Street
With seven different designs younger kids will have a great time with these color by number coloring pages featuring the Mexican flag, delicious foods, and other Cinco de Mayo holiday themed pictures.
Cinco de Mayo Candy Dice Game by The Benson Street
Grab some of your favorite mexican candies, a couple of dice and play this fun game for Cinco de Mayo Parties. Great for kids, but all ages and the whole family will enjoy. Making it a perfect opportunity for bonding over some fun Cinco de Mayo activities.
Cinco de Mayo Coloring Bookmarks by The Benson Street
Save your place in your book long after May 5th with an adorable, fun coloring bookmark with a Cinco de Mayo theme. Print, color, laminate, and always keep your page in your book. Perfect activity for children, but one that adults can enjoy as well. Perfect for the whole family.
Cinco de Mayo Bingo Free Printable in Spanish by Lorena & Lennox
This printable template for a Spanish-language bingo game is a great way to introduce kids to another language. Familiar pictures are easy to match with the bingo cards, which are all in Spanish. This helps to make the connection between things kids already recognize with words they might not know.
Cinco de Mayo Cutting Practice by 3 Boys and a Dog
Little ones need a lot of scissor practice before they master the activity. These printable cutting practice sheets are the perfect way to introduce kids to a bit of foreign culture while they practice.
Free Cinco de Mayo Handprint Art Templates by Homeschool of 1
There is nothing better than an easy craft kids will love doing. The printable template makes this one super easy, and kids love getting their hands painted. Giggles are a guarantee.
Cinco De Mayo Cardboard Guitar Craft by Our Kid Things
These cardboard guitars are so pretty! Kids will love cutting and decorating them. As a bonus, they can work on shape recognition while they craft.
Cinco de Mayo Color By Numbers by Simple Everyday Mom
Color by numbers is a fantastic way for kids to produce really well-made artwork. They can also practice staying in the lines, which helps with fine motor skills. The template included makes the whole process a snap.
Cinco de Mayo Worksheets for Preschool by The Primary Parade
This Cinco de Mayo template craft has so many benefits for children. They get coloring practice, cutting practice, and number recognition all rolled into one. Also, many other activities with a Cinco de Mayo focus are included in the printable pack.
3D Paper Cactus Decoration by Red Ted Art
These 3D paper cacti are the perfect decoration for Cinco de Mayo. And instead of a template, the blog shows how to make the cactus with clear instructions, so the sky is the limit in terms of possibilities.
Pin the Tail on the Donkey by Mommy Made That
Pin the Tail on the Donkey is such a classic children’s game, it really needs no explanation. But the printable template makes setup super easy. And if you call it a burro, it is the perfect game for Cinco de Mayo.
Free Printable May Coloring Pages by Two Kids and a Coupon
Of course this set of printable May coloring pages has a big Cinco de Mayo focus. But on top of that, the author includes several recipes to help get into this holiday’s spirit.
Easter Egg Maracas by Kids Craft Room
While the exact date varies each year, it’s safe to say that Easter will arrive before Cinco de Mayo. Make sure to save at least a few plastic eggs for this cute, easy craft that kids will love to make and play with.
Variations for Using the Ideas:
Variations on ways to use these fun activities in celebration of Mexican culture.
- Outdoor Fiesta: Take the festivities outdoors and set up stations for different activities like piñata making, traditional Mexican games such as “La Lotería,” and a taco bar where kids can create their own tacos. Alternatively, use tortilla chips for a Nacho Bar instead of tacos, both are a great opportunity to enjoy some delicious food.
- Virtual Celebration: Host a virtual Cinco de Mayo party with friends and family, where kids can participate in activities via video call. Share printable activity sheets in advance so everyone can join in the fun from the comfort of their homes.
Ideas for Ways to Use the Ideas:
Need even more ideas for how to incorporate these ideas for a lot of fun?
- Craft Corner: Set up a craft corner with supplies for making Mexican-inspired crafts like tissue paper flowers, maracas, and sombreros. Kids can get creative and decorate their creations to display proudly.
- Cooking Class: Get kids involved in the kitchen by cooking up some delicious Mexican dishes together. From guacamole, sour cream, and salsa to homemade tortillas and churros, there’s plenty of tasty treats to whip up and enjoy as a family.
This Cinco de Mayo, make learning fun with printable activities that celebrate Mexican culture and history. Whether you’re crafting papel picado banners, playing traditional Mexican games, or whipping up delicious Mexican cuisine, these activities are sure to delight kids of all ages. Check out these activities today and get ready to fiesta like there’s no mañana!
Ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your little ones? Download our free printable Cinco de Mayo activity sheets, get inspired by the craft ideas, and get ready for a day filled with fun, learning, and fiesta! Let’s make this Cinco de Mayo one to remember! Happy Cinco de Mayo!
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Hi there!
I’m Emily, a mom and wife with a passion for crafting, celebrating holidays, and creating memorable moments. From Idaho to the world, The Benson Street is a treasure trove of easy, fun DIY projects, delightful printables, and delicious recipes. With over a decade of experience in blogging and a love for all things seasonal, I’m here to share my tips, ideas, and occasional mishaps. Join me in adding a dash of joy and creativity to every day! Read more…
