Cinco de Mayo is a colorful, festive holiday that’s perfect for introducing little ones to Mexican culture through fun, hands-on crafts.
Whether you’re a parent at home, a preschool teacher, or running a daycare, these easy and engaging craft ideas are great for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids of all ages.
No need for fancy supplies, just bring your imagination, a little glue, and a lot of color!
So, let’s dive in.
Cinco de Mayo Crafts
1. Tissue Paper Flowers (All Ages)
These bright, fluffy flowers are a traditional Mexican decoration and super fun for little hands to make!
You’ll need:
-
Colorful tissue paper (4–6 sheets per flower)
-
Scissors
-
Pipe cleaners or twist ties
Get Embed Code
Steps:
-
Stack 4–6 sheets of tissue paper.
-
Fold accordion-style (like a fan).
-
Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center.
-
Trim the ends into a rounded or pointy shape.
-
Gently pull apart the layers and fluff.
Toddler Tip: Let them help separate the layers or choose the colors.
2. Paper Plate Sombreros (Perfect for Preschoolers)
Celebrate Mexican culture with these playful mini hats kids can wear!
You’ll need:
-
Paper plates
-
Small paper bowls
-
Glue or tape
-
Paint, crayons, markers
-
Pom-poms, stickers, or tissue paper
Steps:
-
Glue the bowl upside down in the center of the plate.
-
Let kids paint and decorate the hat.
-
Add pom-poms, stickers, or “fringe” cut from tissue paper.
-
Let dry and wear!
Toddler Tip: Pre-assemble the base and let them go wild with decorating!
3. Paper Bag Piñatas (Great for Ages 3+)
These mini piñatas are festive, colorful, and can even hold small treats!
You’ll need:
-
Brown paper lunch bags
-
Colorful tissue paper
-
Glue stick or tape
-
Ribbon or yarn
-
Crayons or stickers
-
(Optional) Candy or small toys
Steps:
-
Let kids decorate the bag with stickers or drawings.
-
Fill it with paper confetti or goodies.
-
Fold the top and punch holes.
-
Add string to hang it up.
-
Glue on fringed strips of tissue paper from bottom to top.
Toddler Tip: Skip the stuffing and just focus on decorating for younger kiddos.
4. DIY Maracas (Toddler Favorite!)
Let little ones shake up some fun with homemade maracas!
You’ll need:
-
Plastic Easter eggs
-
Dry rice or beans
-
Plastic spoons (2 per maraca)
-
Colorful duct tape or washi tape
Steps:
-
Fill the egg with a spoonful of rice or beans.
-
Place the egg between two spoons.
-
Tape it all together tightly.
-
Let kids decorate with more tape or stickers.
Toddler Tip: Help with taping but let them shake away once it’s built!
5. Fiesta Masks (Creative & Fun!)
Let kids dress up for their own mini fiesta!
You’ll need:
-
Paper plates or cardstock
-
Hole punch
-
String or elastic
-
Markers, feathers, sequins, pom-poms
Steps:
-
Cut out eye holes in a plate or cardstock.
-
Punch holes on the side for string.
-
Decorate with bright colors and textures.
-
Tie the string and wear like a mask!
Preschool Twist: Create animal masks like roosters or bulls common in Mexican folk tales.
6. Mexican Flag Collage (Simple & Educational)
Help little ones learn about the Mexican flag in a hands-on way.
You’ll need:
-
Construction paper (green, white, red)
-
Glue stick
-
A picture of the Mexican eagle (optional)
Steps:
-
Pre-cut or let kids tear the colored paper into small pieces, or simply use colored tissue paper.
-
Glue the green strip on the left, white in the middle, red on the right.
-
Add a small eagle drawing or sticker in the center.
Toddler Tip: Tearing paper is great for motor skills—let them do it all!
Bonus Craft + Snack: Taco Craft!
You’ll need:
-
Brown paper circles (for the shell)
-
Colored paper strips (lettuce, cheese, tomato)
-
Glue stick
Let kids build their own paper tacos — then enjoy a real snack after!
Final Thoughts
Cinco de Mayo is the perfect time to mix play, learning, and culture — all while making colorful keepsakes to bring home. The best part? These crafts don’t require perfection. It’s all about the process, the smiles, and the little “¡Olé!” moments along the way.
So grab some tissue paper, crank up some mariachi music, and let the creativity begin!