Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated across the US with tacos, crazy sombreros and lots of Mexican themed fun. The Cinco de Mayo holiday is often mistaken for marking Mexican independence, but it really is a celebration of an unlikely Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla.
We put on our sombreros and eat enchiladas on the 5th of May because Mexican-American communities started the holiday to raise their proverbial glasses to the admirable causes of freedom and democracy in their young country after that particular battle. Over the years, this American-made holiday has spread across the nation as a huge celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
This spring, I put together a little Cinco de Mayo party for Yum Food and Fun for Kids Magazine that gives a nod to all the fun of the Mexican culture and also teaches a little bit about why its so cool. You can check out the magazine to get all the recipes and tutorials for the things in this party!
Cinco de Mayo decorations
Paper picado banners (click here for a papel picado tutorial) to put up over our food table and added a few multicolor paper lanterns to make it really festive! Paper flowers in empty tomato cans served as colorful centerpieces.
Cinco de Mayo Party Food
We made seven layer dip in single serve containers, tacos with homemade seasoning, Party pinching inspired cactus cupcakes, and limeade. We served up chips for appetizers on sombrero hats made from paper plates, cups and pom poms.
Mexican Amate Art Kid Activity
One of the activities we did with the kids was make some traditional Mexican Amate folk art paintings. Amate art is pretty easy to replicate — this kind of art is distinguished by bold lines and bright colors. These are called “amate” due to the kind of paper they were made on, but your kids don’t have to make paper out of fig tree bark, they can just use some crumbled up paper bags, markers and temper paints to create their own works of art.
And of course, a party isn’t a party without a little bit of silliness! The kids loved putting on mustaches and sombreros and doing a few crazy pictures. Hope you all have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo!
Shopping for Cinco de Mayo? Here are a few party must-haves! (affiliate links)
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Paula Biggs
Owner at Frog Prince Paperie
Title:
Cinco de Mayo – a Kid’s Celebration!
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cinco de mayo, fiesta, kid party, mexican fiesta, party
Keywords:
cinco de mayo party
Last Updated:
February 4, 2019
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Sandra Garth
Monday 1st of May 2017
Oh to be a kid again! I would have just as much fun and this colorful shindig as the kids. Love the decor and so nice of you to include the history of the celebration.
Paula Biggs
Saturday 13th of May 2017
I found the history fascinating! Always interesting to see how things really started and what they've turned into over time...
Shirley Wood
Sunday 30th of April 2017
Perfect for Cinco de Mayo. This post is Featured at the new Merry Monday party this week!
Paula Biggs
Saturday 13th of May 2017
Thank you for sharing my party, Shirley!