Celebrating Cinco de Mayo With Your Tween

Cinco de Mayo (meaning “5th of May”) is quickly approaching and there is still time to plan your own celebration to explore Mexican culture with the family. This day is a formal holiday in Mexico, but here in the US it is often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day (which is actually September 16th). Cinco de Mayo represents the day in 1862 where a small Mexican army defeated the much larger French army at the Battle of Puebla. Our family loves to celebrate Cinco de Mayo- especially since we enjoy tasty food, lively music and, of course, new opportunities to craft. (We can also sneak in some history review while learning more about Hispanic culture).

Food is a critical element in every holiday celebration. One way our tween will help us celebrate Cinco de Mayo will be to make her fresh guacamole. In the video below- see if you can find her special tip on prepping the onions. (I learned something new as she shared this tip.)

Key Ingredients (all elements adjustable to accommodate personal tastes)

1 avocado
1/2 small onion – finely chopped
1/2 tomato – chopped
1 tsp crushed garlic
Juice from 1/4 squeezed lime
1/4 jalapeño – finely chopped
Salt to taste

My dear tween will also transform out of her soccer uniform into her traditional Folklorico Mexican dance costume to perform at some of the local festivities.

Ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a traditional folkloric dance costume

Check your local listings to find a celebration festival close to you. Interestingly, the largest celebration in the world for Cinco de Mayo is held in Los Angeles. If you are in Chandler, Arizona- take in the Chihuahua races.

For a fun craft activity, the entire family can make maracas. This craft will be fun for our tween as well as our toddler twins. Create a design challenge with random materials as well as a musical shake-off to test the final pieces. Kaboose shares some good inspiration for an easy maracas DIY.