Cinco de Mayo is the annual celebration of the Mexican army and its 1862 victory in the battle against the French army.
It’s also a widely-celebrated holiday in which people come together to recognize and appreciate Mexico’s rich history, culture, amazing food, and music.
If you’re looking for some fun Cinco de Mayo crafts for kids, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 super easy art projects for Cinco De Mayo that toddlers, kindergarteners, and kids of all ages will love!
1. Make a Paper Plate Mariachi Hats
In Mexico, Mariachi hats symbolize the mariachi culture and are a staple of traditional Mexican dress. Making these festive hats make for fun crafts activities, and little kids look super cute wearing them!
Materials and Instructions:
- 1 paper plate per child
- Construction paper in various colors
- Scissors
- Glue
- Stapler
First, cut the paper plate in half, then staple the two halves together to make a cone shape. Next, help your child cut strips of construction paper to decorate their hat. They can glue the strips on or staple them on. Once the hat is decorated, it’s ready to wear!
2. Make a Papel Picado Banner
Papel picado is a traditional Mexican folk art form in which colorful tissue paper is cut into elaborate designs and then hung as decorations.
Materials and Instructions:
- Paper bags or tissue paper in various colors
- Scissors
- Thread or string of your choice
Cut the tissue paper into thin strips. Help your child create a design by folding the paper and cutting shapes out of it. Then tie the pieces of tissue paper to the thread or string, creating an eye-catching banner that is sure to stand out at any Cinco de Mayo celebration!
3. Make Mini Mexican Piñatas (Cascarones)
Another fun tradition on Cinco de Mayo is breaking piñatas filled with candy and other prizes. These mini piñatas will keep your little ones entertained for hours!
Materials and Instructions:
- 2 paper or plastic cups per piñata
- Tissue paper of various colors
- String or thick thread
- Scissors and tape
Cut each cup in half vertically. Then cut a hole at the top of both pieces and fill them with tissue paper. Tape together to create a cone shape, then use string to tie around the middle.
Finally, help your child decorate their tiny piñata however they want by cutting out shapes from tissue paper and taping them on! Don’t forget to add some candy or other prizes inside before you hang it up!
4. Make Worry Dolls
In many parts of Mexico and other Latin American countries, it’s believed that if you tell your worries to a tiny figure called a “worry doll,” then he/she will take your burdens away.
This is a sweet tradition that may also help children who struggle with anxiety.
Materials and Instructions:
- Popsicle sticks (1 for each doll) or plain figures
- Small scraps of colorful fabric or paper
- Yarn or string
- Scissors and glue
Tie the yarn around the middle of the popsicle stick to create the doll’s waist. Then help your child cut out small pieces of fabric or paper to use as the doll’s clothing. They can glue these on or tie them on with string.
Finally, add any other features you want, such as hair, eyes, and a mouth. Now your child can tell their worries to their very own worry doll!
5. Make Floral Mexican Headbands
Floral headbands are a beautiful way to accessorize Cinco de Mayo. They are also a fun craft project that kids can make themselves, even if they’re just learning how to use scissors and glue!
Materials and Instructions:
- Fabric flowers of your choice
- Scissors
- String or elastic band
- Glue gun (optional)
Cut small pieces of fabric from the flower stems. Then help your child glue these onto a headband or hair tie to create their own festive floral accessory! Alternatively, you can glue the flowers directly onto the headband.
Finally, add some colorful ribbon or glitter around the edges if you want. Now you’re ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style!
6. Make Paper Cactus Figures
Cacti are a big part of Mexican culture, so it’s no surprise that they show up in Cinco de Mayo celebrations! This easy art project is perfect for kids who want to make their own paper cactus friends.
Materials and Instructions:
- Green construction paper
- Brown construction paper or cardstock
- Scissors and glue
Cut the green paper into thin strips, then help your child curl them around to create the cactus body. Next, cut out a small circle from the brown paper to use as the cactus’ head.
Finally, glue everything together and add any other details you want, such as eyes or a mouth. Now you’re done!
7. Make DIY Maracas
Mexican music is an important part of Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and maracas are a terrific way to get in on the fun!
Materials and Instructions:
- Empty water or soda bottles (1 for each child)
- Dry beans or rice (enough to fill each bottle about halfway)
- Construction paper or cardstock scrap (to use as a shaker top)
- Tape
First, help your child cut off the tops of the bottles so that only the bottoms remain. Then tape or glue the shaker tops onto each bottle, and fill them up with beans or rice.
Finally, close up the bottles and your DIY maracas are ready to use! Just shake them while you listen to some traditional Mexican music, and get ready to celebrate!
8. Make Paper Plate Aztec Sundials
Aside from being one of the easiest Cinco de Mayo crafts projects, this can also lso teach kids about how ancient cultures used the sun for timekeeping!
Materials and Instructions:
- Paper plates (1 per child)
- Yarn or string
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Markers, paint, or crayons
Help your child cut a small hole in the center of their paper plate. Then thread a piece of yarn or string through the hole and tie it off so that the plate can hang from the string.
Next, use the markers or crayons to draw numbers around the edge of the plate, starting at 12 and going all the way around to 1.
Finally, hang the sundial up in a sunny spot and watch as the shadows move throughout the day!
9. Make Paper Rosettes And Señoritas
Materials and Instructions:
- Construction paper or cardstock in various colors (1 sheet per child)
- Scissors and glue
Cut the construction paper into strips, then help your child fold each strip accordion-style. Next, glue the ends of the strip together to form a circle, then repeat with the remaining strips.
Once all the rosettes are made, you can add some simple features to turn them into señoritas! Just cut out small circles for the head and arms, then glue them onto the rosettes. Finally, add any other details you want, such as hair or necklaces. Now your rosettes are ready to use!
10. Make Floral Mexican Headbands
Another traditional Mexican decoration, floral headbands are a beautiful way to add some color and festive flair to any Cinco de Mayo crafts project. Kids will love making them and wearing them in their hair all day long!
Materials and Instructions:
- Floral wire (any length)
- Fake flowers (1 per child)
- Ribbon or yarn (to tie around the back of each child’s head)
Help your child bend the floral wire into a circular shape and then wrap it around her head until it’s secure. Next, use scissors to cut the stems off of each fake flower and then glue them onto the wire headband.
Finally, tie a piece of ribbon or yarn around the back of your child’s head to hold the headband in place!
Enjoy These Cinco de Mayo Crafts
Kids will have so much fun learning about Mexican culture and making these creative Cinco de Mayo crafts with you.
Whether they help you make one or all 10, they’re sure to be proud of their work once they see how cute everything turns out. Have yourself a fiesta!
