Cinco de Mayo Theme for Preschool


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Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the Mexican Army winning a war over the French Army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Cinco de Mayo traditions include street festivals, parades, and music performances. It is a wonderful time to teach children about a different culture and country.

 cinco de mayo

Cinco de Mayo Crafts

Maracas
Have children decorate two paper plates. Fill with beans, corn, or rice (be mindful of choking hazard for younger children). Staple or tape the 2 plates together.

Cinco de Mayo Streamers
Use empty toilet paper rolls and glue or tie red and green streamers or ribbon. Have children wave their streamers around, as they dance to Mexican Music.

Make red, white, and green paper chains to decorate the room.

Cinco de Mayo Games and Activities

Jumping Beans game (like musical chairs)
Play Mexican music and tell children to jump around like Mexican jumping means. When the music stops, have them stop jumping. Anyone who is still moving, moves out of the game (maybe they can play the music next). Last person left is the winner.

Counting in Spanish
Teach children how to count to ten in Spanish, starting on May 1 during calendar time. Click here for an audio version of Spanish numbers.

Look at Mexico on a map or globe
Talk about the colors of the Mexican flag. Show pictures of places in Mexico. Talk about products that come from Mexico.

Patterns
Provide children with red, white, and green manipulatives. Have them create various patterns using the color combination.

Eat Mexican
Prepare a Mexican meal with tacos, chips and salsa, burritos, etc. Set up a taco bar that allows children to add their own toppings.

Cinco de Mayo Songs and Fingerplays

"It's Cinco de Mayo Today" (sung to the tune of "The Farmer and the Dell")
It's Cinco de Mayo today!
It's Cinco de Mayo today!
Let's clap our hands and sing "Ole".
It's Cinco de Mayo today!

"Come Join the Fun" (sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques")
Cinco de Mayo, Cinco de Mayo
Is lots of fun, Is lots of fun
Many celebrations
Loved ones get together
Come join the fun, with everyone

More Cinco de Mayo Rescources

Cinco de Mayo Books