Cinco de Mayo provides the perfect opportunity for nannies to introduce children to Mexican culture through colorful crafts, tasty treats, and educational activities. As a professional caregiver, incorporating cultural celebrations into your routine creates enriching experiences while making meaningful memories with your little ones.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexican Independence Day (that’s celebrated on September 16th). Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla that resulted in Mexico’s military victory over Napoleon III in 1862. While it’s a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, it has become a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States.
Craft Projects for Cinco de Mayo Fun
Creating colorful crafts is a fantastic way to immerse children in the festive spirit while developing their fine motor skills and creativity.
Paper Bag Maracas
These fun and easy maracas start with brown paper bags. Decorate them with the colors of the Mexican flag, then add rice and a handle and you’re ready to start shaking. Let the children decorate their maracas with markers, crayons, or colorful tissue paper fringe.
Mexican Paper Flowers
Bright tissue paper flowers make beautiful decorations for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. These vibrant blooms can be made in various sizes and colors and serve as perfect decorations around your home.
DIY Cactus Crafts
Cacti are plentiful in Mexico, so a fun cactus puppet is a wonderful craft to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Made with a paper lunch sack and cardstock, you can have cactus puppets to play with in no time.
Papel Picado
This traditional Mexican folk art involves creating colorful paper banners with intricate cut-out designs. Simplify the craft for younger children by pre-folding tissue paper and providing templates for cutting simple shapes.
Cultural Learning Activities
- Learn basic Spanish words and numbers together
- Read children’s books about Mexican culture
- Listen to traditional Mexican music
- Explore the meaning behind Mexican symbols and colors
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations Around San Diego
In 2025, San Diego offers many Cinco de Mayo events for families. Old Town Cinco de Mayo brings authentic Mexican culture to life with traditional folk dancers, mariachi bands, and delicious authentic eats.
SeaWorld’s Viva La Música
This festival brings the rhythms, flavors and festive spirit of Latin culture to life with live music, cuisine and family-friendly entertainment. Weekends, May 2-18, 2025. The event is included with admission.
Old Town Fiesta
Stroll through Old Town’s vibrant celebration with mariachi music, folklorico dancers, handmade crafts, and traditional Mexican cuisine on May 3, 2025. The historic district transforms into a colorful celebration that children will love exploring.
Chicano Park
Step into a world of rich history and vibrant traditions at Chicano Park Cinco de Mayo, where stunning murals tell the story of Mexican-American heritage. Experience captivating Aztec dance performances, browse handcrafted goods at artisan markets, and watch historical reenactments.
Creating a Cinco de Mayo Menu
Introduce children to the flavors of Mexican cuisine with these kid-friendly options:
- Build-your-own taco bar with mild fillings
- Quesadillas with cheese and vegetables
- Fruit sprinkled with a tiny bit of chili powder (for adventurous eaters)
- Churros with chocolate dipping sauce
- Agua fresca (fruit-infused water)
Tips for Nannies
As a nanny, you have a wonderful opportunity to expose children to diverse cultures and traditions. Here are some tips for making your Cinco de Mayo celebration both fun and educational:
- Start with a book: Begin your celebration by reading age-appropriate books about Mexican culture or Cinco de Mayo.
- Keep crafts age-appropriate: Modify craft activities based on the children’s ages and abilities.
- Emphasize learning: Take time to explain the cultural significance of the celebration in simple terms children can understand.
- Document the fun: Take photos of the children engaged in the activities to share with parents.
- Involve the whole family: If possible, invite parents to join in for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta at the end of the day.
At Seaside Nannies, we believe cultural celebrations provide valuable opportunities for children to learn about diversity, history, and global traditions. By incorporating Cinco de Mayo activities into your caregiving routine, you’re helping children develop cultural awareness and appreciation from an early age.
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Seaside Nannies is dedicated to providing San Diego families with exceptional childcare professionals who create enriching experiences for children of all ages. For more information about our nanny placement services, visit our website or contact us today.
