10 Ways to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With Your Kids

Cinco de Mayo is a fun opportunity to celebrate a different culture with your child through food, music, books, and hands-on activities!

We’ve rounded up easy, kid-friendly ideas to help your family learn, create, and make special memories together.

1. Pick up some festive books! Here are some of our favorites:

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
• Chicks and Salsa by Aaron Reynolds
• Cinco de Mouse-o! by Judy Cox
• El Perro con Sombrero by Derek Tayler Kent
• Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
  
  

2. Create flashcards 

Write up interesting facts about Hispanic culture to show your child. This will help them understand how the holiday started, and why it's celebrated.

3. Teach your child some simple Spanish words and phrases:

• Hello = Hola
• Goodbye = Adios
• Please = Por favor
• Thank you = Gracias
• You’re welcome = De nada
• How are you? = ¿Cómo estás?
• Good = Bien
• Yes = Si
• No = No
  
  

4. Put on a Cinco de Mayo playlist

Give your child some maracas, turn on Pandora’s Cinco de Mayo radio, and let them dance to some festive tunes!

5. Make a Mexican spread for dinner 

Search Pinterest for a great kid-friendly Chicken Paella recipe to get you started. Don’t forget the tortilla chips and salsa!

6. Make Paletas for dessert 

They’re super simple and delicious. These are another great Pinterest find! 

7. Make a DIY Papel Picado banner

Papel Picado is a traditional Mexican craft made by cutting decorative designs into colorful paper. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that kids will love! Grab some tissue paper, scissors, and string, and create your own festive banner to hang up at home. Check out a DIY video here!

8. Fill a piñata with healthy snacks

Grab a donkey piñata and pack it full of healthy treats. Then let your child take a whack at it! You can find the traditional rainbow donkey piñata at your local party store!

9. Make your own Mexican salsa

Let your child accompany you to the grocery store to pick out the ingredients. You can also bottle up any extra and save it for a snack later! Just be sure to keep it refrigerated. 

10. Create your own cactus art