Activities for Cinco de Mayo for Kids
Ready to learn and have fun celebrating Cinco de Mayo for kids this year? There are so many fun ways to host your own Cinco de Mayo celebration in the classroom this May! I’m excited to share some of my favorite printable crafts and activities to help you get started.
There are lots of fun books about Cinco de Mayo for kids to explore and learn all about Mexico’s rich culture and heritage this May. Keep reading to get some of my favorite activity ideas including my Hispanic heritage crafts and writing activities. Plus, some fun taco crafts and activities for preschoolers too!
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What Is Cinco de Mayo and How Is It Celebrated?
On the fifth day of May, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of the Mexican army over the French army at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. It’s a minor holiday in Mexico, but it has evolved into a big holiday here in the United States. Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage, especially in areas with large populations of Mexican Americans.
Traditionally, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with military parades, battle reenactments, and festivities. In the US, it’s a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness. People celebrate with parades, parties, mariachi music, folk dancing, and traditional foods like tacos.
Activities for a Cinco de Mayo Celebration in the Classroom
Looking for more fun activities for Cinco de Mayo for kids to do in the classroom? Discover my Hispanic Heritage Activities.
These activity plans come with templates for cut-and-paste crafts featuring heroes like Selena Quintanilla and Frida Kahlo as well as writing activities to encourage fine motor skills and handwriting practice for your preschool students.
Then, have fun setting up a Taco Stand in your classroom or homeschool space with my dramatic play center activity set. It includes all kinds of printables your preschoolers can use for role-playing, learning about Mexican culture, and having fun together on the fifth of May.
Discover Mexico With Books About Cinco de Mayo for Kids
Teaching your preschoolers about holidays like Cinco de Mayo is a great way to help them learn about other cultures and develop empathy. Sharing the unique traditions associated with Cinco de Mayo is an important way to build your preschooler’s self-esteem and sense of belonging. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
Children who have an awareness and appreciation for other cultures grow up to be compassionate and kind adults. You can use great books to introduce your preschool students to different holidays, cultures, and traditions while helping them build empathy. Check out some of my favorite books for Cinco de Mayo below.
Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds
Cinco de Mayo by Mary Dodson Wode
Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
Abuela’s Weave by Omar S. Castaneda
Marco’s Cinco de Mayo by Lisa Bullard
How To Host a Kid-Friendly Cinco de Mayo Celebration
While many Cinco de Mayo celebrations are for adults only, there are lots of ways to get the whole family in on the celebration! Hosting a kid-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration in the classroom is a great way to have some fun and learn about Mexico with your preschoolers too.
Cinco De Mayo Coloring Worksheets
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with these no prep color by code worksheets. Color by Code printables are the easiest way to sprinkle in academics in a fun and hands on way.
Cinco De Mayo Flags
First, set up with lots of brightly colored decorations. In Mexico, brightly colored flags are a traditional part of celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
Flags would be super fun to make with your preschoolers using scissors and construction paper. Add colorful tissue paper flowers, streamers, and Mexican flags for even more fun in the classroom and at home.
Cinco De Mayo Sombrero
Do your preschoolers know how to order numbers? If not, this sombrero cut and paste activity is a great way to practice this tricky math standard.
Simply cut out the circular tassles and paste them on the sombrero in order from 1 to 10. Isn’t this such an easy Cinco De Mayo activity for kids to do this May?
Taco Crafts for Kids
Then, serve up some fun Mexican snacks like chips and salsa. Tacos are a traditional way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico. Check out How To Make a Taco Cut and Paste Activity for a fun way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with little learners in the classroom and at home.
Cheese quesadillas and Mexican candies for dessert are always big hits at Cinco de Mayo celebrations too. Grab a Mexican Candy Assortment Box to explore with your preschoolers.
It’s a fun way to try lots of different snacks as you learn about Mexican culture together.
Cinco De Mayo Easy Reader
Cinco De Mayo is a holiday full of color. This makes it a great time to teach about the different colors with your preschoolers!
Grab this free Cinco De Mayo easy reader and work on fine motor skills such as handwriting and coloring this May.
Mariachi Band Music
Next, add some music. It’s tradition to play mariachi music during Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Mariachi band music is traditional folk music featuring a five-string guitar, a bass guitar, violins, and trumpets.
Check out If I Had a Mariachi by 123 Andres. It’s a fun mariachi song just for kids. Finally, don’t forget to learn the Mexican Hat Dance. Not only is it fun, but also it’s a simple dance that’s easy for all ages to do.
Get your preschoolers in on the fun by making DIY maracas with this craft from Happiness is Homemade that they can use to make festive music as they dance and sing. You could also make your very own paper plate sombreros with a fun craft from Kid Friendly Things to Do.
In Conclusion
What’s your favorite way to learn about and celebrate Cinco de Mayo with preschoolers? Share your favorite books, crafts, and activity ideas in the comments. I can’t wait to read them and try a few of your favorite activities for fiesta fun with my preschool students too!
Awesome I do see my students having fun doing this.
thank you
I would love anything you send my way. Thanks
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Love the activites
Thank you!