On May 5th, Mexicans celebrate their 1862 victory over the French army. The French planned to capture Mexico City and take over the country. But, Mexican peasants in the town of Puebla rose up and defeated the French. This is a special day in Mexico as well as in the United States, especially in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
Use these activities to help children understand Mexican customs and bring the Cinco de Mayo 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.
Plan a Mexican fiesta for the kids with 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.
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 an opportunity for children to learn about the culture of Mexico and enjoy the activities and crafts that go along with this holiday.
Source: Personal Experience
Adapted version of original posting on Suite101.com
