Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) commemorates a day when Mexicans celebrate their 1862 victory over the French army, who tried to capture the country but failed during the Battle of Puebla. Although Cinco de Mayo is a notable day in Mexican history, it is not a national holiday and not celebrated in Mexico as much as here in the United States (mostly in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California).
Use these activities to help children understand Mexican customs and bring a fiesta to your home.
Decorate With Tie-Dyed Flowers
Invite the children to make colorful flowers to decorate the home for a fiesta. You will need about three or four paper coffee filters per flower. Using several containers, place several drops of food coloring into a tablespoon of water. Fold the filter into quarters. Dip one end into the mixture, letting it absorb color. Continue dipping the other filters in different colors. Lay these filters flat to dry. Later, place all filters on top of one another. Gather them together at the bottom and wrap a pipe cleaner tightly around the end for a stem. Place these in vases or attach them to the walls with tape.
Yarn Napkin Rings
The use of yarn to make colorful pictures is a famous art form in Mexico. Instead of pictures, this project will help decorate your table for a fiesta. The napkin ring consists of a piece of cardboard toilet tube about 3-inches long. Spread glue on the outside surface of the tube and wrap colorful yarn around the cylinder. Pass a napkin through when the holder is dry.
Create a Mosaic
A mosaic is defined as a surface decoration made by inlaying small pieces of colored materials to form pictures or patterns. In the Mexican city of Puebla, buildings are decorated with brightly colored Talavera tiles.
Make a unique mosaic using lasagna pasta. Paint the uncooked lasagna strips with poster paints. Make each strip a different color. When dry, break the strips into pieces. On a square of cardboard, draw a simple picture or design. Glue the pieces onto the square fitting them close together and filling in the spaces of the picture.
Make Fiesta Food
Fruit Tacos
You will need:
- Two 1 lb. 4 oz. cans of pineapple chunks
- Two 16 oz cans of mandarin oranges
- Two 8 oz. containers of fruit flavored yogurt (strawberry, banana, etc.)
- One 7oz. package of flaked coconut
- Taco Shells
What to do:
- Drain all the juice from the canned fruit.
- Place all the fruit into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the yogurt and flaked coconut. Stir well to combine and coat the fruit with yogurt.
- Spoon the mixture into taco shells and serve.
Easy Nachos
You will need:
- One pound bag tortilla chips
- 12 oz. can of refried beans
- 8 oz. bag of mild Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Jar of Salsa
What to do:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Spread the chips onto a cookie sheet and spoon on the refried beans.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake until the cheese melts (about 3-4 minutes).
- Serve with salsa.
Speak a Little Spanish
Here are a few common phrases to try.
Hello hola OH-la
Goodbye adios ad-de-OHS
Please por favor poor-fah-VOHR
Thank You muchas gracias moo-chas-GRAH-see-aahs
Hurrah ole oh-LAY
So this May 5th, celebrate Cinco de Mayo as a good opportunity for children to learn about the culture of Mexico and enjoy the activities and crafts that go along with this holiday.
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