Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with kids can be a fun and educational experience that helps them learn about and appreciate the rich cultural traditions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Here are 5 ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month:
1. Traditional Music and Dance
Music Around the World
Music Around the World, where you introduce music in the classroom or at home. Introduce children to different styles of Hispanic and Latino music, such as salsa, merengue, bachata, mariachi, or flamenco.
Dance Party
Host a dance party in the classroom for a brain break or at home on a Saturday afternoon, where kids can learn some basic dance steps. You can listen to KidzBop Music or play their Youtube Video to see dance moves and listen to different types of Music.
Ballet Folklórico Performance
Look into free performances near you in your city for celebrations or performances. Many parks, libraries, and even schools will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and will have performers that will brighten up your day! Go visit this group, Tradiciones Dance Company if you live in or near Phoenix, Arizona. Tradiciones is a great group to follow and support. They are led by wonderful people that instruct, create, and provide a beautiful dancing master piece for everyone to enjoy!
2. Cook Traditional Foods
Cooking Class
What are some delicious foods that you already enjoy that are considered Latino or Hispanic? If you were thinking TACOS, then that would be the perfect food to create with your kids! If you are at home, you could have a Create-your-own-Taco Night! Have a few choices like grilled chicken, ground beef, sauteed zuchinni (calabacitas) and your choice of toppings to have a fun night of making Tacos for dinner. If you are a school teacher, then something you could possibly create in the classroom would be to make Chocolate Abuelita in the Crockpot (hot chocolate) and enjoy with Galletas Maria. What a memorable activity to have with your students!
Taste Test
If you have time to organize a taste testing session each week of Hispanic Heritage Month, where you can invite someone to share a treat with your students. Or you could ask for students to bring in one treat like cookies, jello, or something that is store bought, you could have kids have a mini fiesta with different treats. Make sure parents are aware in case they have students with certain food allergies.
If you are at home you can introduce a snack at home each day to try with your kids. Organize a tasting session where kids can sample a variety of foods from different Hispanic countries and learn about the origins of these dishes. Some examples include, arepas, tacos, tamales, horchata, pan dulce and so many more! YUM!
Enjoy making some Guacamole at home and if your school permits it, you can make Guacamole for your students to taste test for your Social Studies Unit. Check the Recipe below and Enjoy! ¡Que Rico!
3. Create Cultural Crafts
Crafts
Make traditional crafts like papel picado (colorful cut paper decorations), piñatas, or Molas (textile art from the Kuna people of Panama).
Art Display
Provide some time to either create art inspired by Latin American Culture or color on some cool coloring pages. Then you can display in the classroom or home where kids can showcase their crafts and admire their works of art around the classroom or home. Have fun! Use different types of tools to color. You can check out the link below to get a start on coloring pages.
4. Read Books by Hispanic Authors
Story Time
Choose from a variety of Latino and Hispanic authors that feature Latino Characters. It helps kids connect and appreciate the Latino/Hispanic culture. Check out the list of books in my Bookshop.org Shop.
Book Study
There are plenty of lessons where you can plan a book study with a chosen book(s) for Hispanic Heritage Month. Check out Picture Book Brain for Picture Book Ideas on Book Studies and Lesson Plans that he offers.
5. Games and Activities
Trivia Games
Create a trivia game with questions about Hispanic countries, famous Hispanic figures, and cultural traditions. You can get your own copy of the Trivia Game below at the Bilingual Education y Más TpT Store.
Loteria
Country Facts
Use a Fact Sheet to assign each student, or group of students, a Latin/Hispanic Country to study. Check the one over at the TpT Store Here or click on the Link Below.
These activities can help kids understand and appreciate the diversity within Hispanic cultures while having fun and being engaged in hands-on learning.
Coloring Pages
Día de Muertos
If you are planning ahead and want some ideas on how to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, make sure to read my post “5 Ways to Celebrate Día de Muertos”.
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