Being married to a proud mexicano I am often asked what we do to celebrate 5 de mayo (May 5th, the commemoration of the Battle of Puebla, see more here). Honestly, my husband didn’t celebrate it en grande in his 24 years growing up in Mexico- mostly they learned the history of the war, La Guerra de los Pasteles, and once in a while would get a day off of school. But now living in the US (and especially in Texas) we are embracing May 5th as a day to celebrate Latino heritage. This year we made some beautiful amate paintings, watched folkloric dances, and participated in a fun “cinco de mayo” party by making sopes and other goodies. We told the kids this was a festive time for both Mexico and the US to celebrate Mexican culture, and an opportunity for some to learn more about it.
Here are some ideas for you to learn about Mexican culture with your kids, and celebrate el 5 de mayo:
Mexican Folkloric Dance
Check out your local area or a nearby town to see if there are traditional dance performances. Ballet Folklórico ensembles often include several costumes and dances representing regions across Mexico, with lively music and swirling colorful skirts that keep kids enraptured.
Mexican Amate Craft
Teach your kids about a traditional Mexican folkart called amate /ah-MAH-tay/. Normally painted on the bark of fig trees, these brightly colored scenes can be painted on brown paper bags (learn more about its history and follow instructions here).
Have the kids view google images of beautiful examples of Mexican amate paintings and then create their own whimsical scenes of birds, flowers, and nature (or in the case of my son above, a Chinese dragon:).
Churros!
Visit a Mexican bakery (look up panadería or pastelería in your local area or a nearby city). Let your kids pick out different pan dulce and then try them at home with good hot chocolate. Cacao was originally prepared in Mexico in 1900 BC. Columbus brought cocoa beans to Spain in 1502 and the rest is history (thank you Aztecs and Mayans!).
Learn about the Mexican Flag
Learn the history of the Mexican flag, and the meaning of the colors and central emblem.
Kids in the Kitchen
Throw out the pre-formed, hard tacos shells and orange cheese and make some authentic Mexican food! Here are recipes for easy and scrumptious dishes:
How do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Any great ideas that I’ve missed? Please share them in the comments!
Oh Becky – this post has me longing for Mexico! It’s been over a decade since I’ve been and I used to spend a lot of time in Puebla and Oaxaca. I have some beautiful amate art in storage in the States and I love the versions your kids made. I’m pinning this for sure.
I didn’t know you were in Mexico! Puebla is one of my favorite cities:)- and Oaxaca is amazing as well!!!! So glad you liked the craft.
Thanks for linking this up to the Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop – yes I studied abroad at Universidad de las Americas in Cholula and dated a guy from Puerto Escondido for six years. I love Mexico and I really want to go back with my family one day.
How fun!!! 🙂 Let’s go together one day!!! We can meet up with the kids somewhere!! 🙂
One of the things we miss most about living in California is Mexican food… even more than we miss the beach! Mexican food is just not the same in the Midwest… so I’ll be looking through your recipes above for some gastronomic inspiration! And adding agua fresca to our list, especially now that it’s getting hot here.
Thanks for the yummy reminders! And add me to the list of pinners!
Julie
OpenWideTheWorld
Yum- I love authentic Mexican!!! I just added you to the “Global Classroom” collaborative pinterest board- anything related to learning about cultures, learning about the world, etc:). I also have another about world languages it you would like to be added!:)
Heehee… I see my comment above from the other day. I totally meant “consider me as having pinned your post”… now I see I inadvertently invited myself to your collab board. Oops! But thanks for adding me anyway.
Julie
Oui, si, ja! Count me in for the language board, too! (I think I’m following them all already!)
Merci, gracias, danke!
Julie
OpenWideTheWorld
I love your site and would pin things anyway!!! I will add you to World Languages as well because I’m sure you know of tons of resources!!
Great post! I love that your family has taken this holiday as an opportunity to learn about some really fun and beautiful aspects of Mexican culture. I love the dancing! Thanks for linking up to the Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.
Love the educational and cultural twist you’ve given to the celebration of Cinco de Mayo 😉 Thanks for linking up at the Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop #4!