Cinco de Mayo is celebrated each year on May 5th to commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
While it’s a day often associated with parties and festivals, it’s also a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about Mexican culture, traditions, and history in a fun, hands-on way.
Below are some engaging, age-appropriate activities for kids, preschoolers, and toddlers to enjoy on Cinco de Mayo.
What is Cinco de Mayo? (Kid-Friendly Explanation)
Before jumping into crafts and songs, it helps to give a simple explanation of what Cinco de Mayo is all about:
“Cinco de Mayo means ‘Fifth of May’ in Spanish. It celebrates a special day when the Mexican army won a big battle a long time ago. Today, many people celebrate with music, food, dancing, and fun!”
It’s not Mexico’s Independence Day (that’s in September!), but it’s still an important symbol of strength and pride, especially celebrated in the U.S.
Cinco de Mayo Crafts
Crafts are a fun way for children to get creative while learning about Mexican traditions. Here are three easy projects with step-by-step instructions.
1. Tissue Paper Flowers
Materials Needed:
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Colorful tissue paper (4–6 sheets per flower)
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Pipe cleaners
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Scissors
Steps:
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Stack 4–6 sheets of tissue paper.
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Fold the stack accordion-style (like a fan).
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Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center and twist to secure.
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Trim the ends into a round or pointy shape.
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Gently separate and fluff each layer of tissue paper to create petals.
Why it’s great: These bright flowers are a traditional decoration in Mexico and easy for little hands to make.
2. DIY Sombreros
Materials Needed:
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Paper plates
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Small paper bowls
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Paint, markers, or crayons
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Glue or tape
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Pom-poms or stickers (optional)
Steps:
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Glue or tape the bowl upside down in the center of the plate.
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Let kids decorate the sombrero with paint, markers, stickers, or pom-poms.
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Let dry and wear as a hat or display on the wall.
Why it’s great: It introduces children to traditional Mexican clothing and gives them a chance to create something wearable.
3. Paper Bag Piñatas
Materials Needed:
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Brown paper lunch bags
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Tissue paper
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Glue stick or tape
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String or ribbon
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Candy or small toys (optional)
Steps:
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Fill the bag with tissue paper or lightweight goodies.
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Fold over the top and punch two holes; thread with string to hang.
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Cut strips of colorful tissue paper and fringe the edges.
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Glue fringed strips around the bag from bottom to top.
Why it’s great: It mimics a real piñata and doubles as a festive decoration.
Music & Movement Activities
Let your little ones feel the rhythm and move their bodies with these joyful musical ideas.
1. DIY Maracas
Materials Needed:
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Plastic Easter eggs
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Dry rice or beans
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Plastic spoons (2 per maraca)
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Washi tape or duct tape
Steps:
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Fill the plastic egg with a tablespoon of rice or beans.
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Place the egg between two spoons and tape them together.
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Decorate with colorful tape.
Why it’s great: Kids love shaking things, and this introduces basic rhythm and Mexican musical instruments.
2. Mexican Hat Dance
Materials Needed:
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A wide-brimmed hat (real or paper version)
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A music player with traditional mariachi music (search “Jarabe Tapatío”)
Steps:
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Place the hat on the floor.
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Play the music and let the kids dance in a circle around the hat.
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Clap, jump, or twirl to the beat!
Why it’s great: It’s a traditional folk dance that’s easy to adapt for toddlers and helps with gross motor skills.
3. Spanish Song Time
Song Suggestions:
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La Cucaracha
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Los Pollitos Dicen
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De Colores
How to do it:
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Play kid-friendly versions of these Spanish songs on YouTube or Spotify.
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Encourage kids to clap, sway, or mimic movements related to the lyrics.
Why it’s great: Singing in another language builds early language skills and cultural awareness.
Storytime & Bilingual Learning
Books make cultural education fun and cozy. Pair reading with a related craft or snack for extra engagement.
Recommended Books:
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📘 “Cinco de Mouse-O!” by Judy Cox — A fun mouse adventure during a Cinco de Mayo festival.
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📗 “Fiesta Babies” by Carmen Tafolla — A rhythmic, bilingual book celebrating traditions.
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📕 “Marco’s Cinco de Mayo” by Lisa Bullard — A helpful intro to the holiday for preschoolers.
Activity Idea: After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite part of the story or retell it with puppets or toys.
Simple Cinco de Mayo Snacks
Get your little chef involved with these tasty, hands-on snack ideas.
1. Mini Soft Tacos
Ingredients:
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Small flour tortillas
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Shredded cheese
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Beans or ground beef (optional)
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Lettuce or mild salsa
Steps:
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Warm tortillas slightly.
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Let kids assemble their tacos with toppings of their choice.
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Fold and enjoy!
Why it’s great: It’s a no-fuss way to get toddlers involved in the kitchen while trying new flavors.
2. Easy Guacamole
Ingredients:
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1–2 ripe avocados
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Lime juice
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Salt
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(Optional) Diced tomatoes or onions
Steps:
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Cut and scoop avocados into a bowl.
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Let your child mash with a fork.
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Add a tiny squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt.
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Stir and taste!
Why it’s great: Sensory play meets healthy eating — plus, kids are more likely to try what they help make.
3. Fruit Sombrero Snacks
Ingredients:
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Watermelon (cut in circles)
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Pineapple rings
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Grapes or blueberries
Steps:
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Lay down a watermelon circle as the base.
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Place a pineapple ring on top.
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Add a grape in the center to make it look like a sombrero!
Why it’s great: It’s colorful, healthy, and super festive.
5. Easy Games & Printables
Need something quick and mess-free? Try these printable and tabletop activities.
1. Coloring Pages
What You’ll Need:
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Printouts of Cinco de Mayo-themed images (piñatas, maracas, flags)
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Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Why it’s great: A relaxing, low-prep activity that can be paired with storytime.
2. Memory Matching Game
Materials:
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Printable cards with Mexican-themed images (download or make your own)
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Cardstock or paper
Steps:
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Print and cut out two of each picture.
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Mix and lay them face down.
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Take turns flipping two cards at a time to find a match.
Why it’s great: Helps build memory, focus, and vocabulary in a playful way.
3. Pattern & Counting Worksheets
Try worksheets that involve:
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Counting maracas
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Finding patterns in flag colors
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Tracing simple Spanish words like “fiesta,” “taco,” and “niño”
Why it’s great: It sneaks in early math and literacy while keeping the theme fun and festive.
Wrapping It Up
Cinco de Mayo is a wonderful opportunity to introduce little ones to the beauty of Mexican culture in playful, simple ways. Whether you’re dancing, crafting, or munching on mini tacos, the goal is to celebrate with joy, creativity, and curiosity.
Remember: keep it fun, go with the flow, and follow your child’s lead!
