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Cinco de Mayo – a Kid’s Celebration!

Cinco de Mayo – a Kid’s Celebration!
 
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.
Cinco de Mayo kid's party fiesta
cinco de mayo kids party limeade
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 kids party place settingcinco de mayo kids party papel picadocinco de mayo kids party paper flowers

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 kids party tacoscinco de mayo kids party seven layer dipcinco de mayo kids party taco bar cinco de mayo kids party eat tacoscinco de mayo kids party sombrero chip hat cinco de mayo kids party cactus cupcakes

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.

cinco de mayo kids party amate paint cinco de mayo kids party amateMexican 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.
cinco de mayo kids party ole mustaches cinco de mayo kids party ole
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)


Paula Biggs

Owner at Frog Prince Paperie
Paula Biggs is a party planner, DIY crafter, and owner of Frog Prince Paperie, where you can find hundreds of party, craft and lifestyle ideas.

fun ideas for cinco de mayo with kids - Little Dove Blog

Tuesday 21st of April 2020

[…] A Kid’s Celebration for Cinco de Mayo […]

Easy DIY Sombrero Chip Platter for a Cinco de Mayo Party - Frog Prince Paperie

Thursday 2nd of May 2019

[…] Cinco de Mayo sombrero chip platter originally came from my kids’ DIY Cinco de Mayo party. You can see the rest of the ideas and more party photos here. It also made an appearance in Yum! Food and fun for kids magazine. I can tell you they all had a […]

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo - Recipes & Decor - That's What {Che} Said...

Tuesday 2nd of April 2019

[…] Kids Cinco de Mayo Party  |  The Best Guacamole Fish Tacos  |  Taco Grilled Cheese Sandwiches DIY Papel Picados  |  Peach Salsa Watermelon, Lemon Cranberry Margaritas  |  Chicken & Corn Empanadas […]

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!