Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time to celebrate vibrant traditions, languages, and creativity that make up the Hispanic and Latino communities. One of the ways we can help children connect with their roots, or learn about other cultures, is through hands-on activities that spark imagination, pride, and conversation.
Here are a few fun and meaningful crafts and activities for families to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month together at home. Feel free to adapt the activities to your child's age and interests, use materials you already have, and incorporate your family's own traditions. Most importantly, enjoy creating, exploring, and celebrating together!
Make Your Own Colorful Papel Picado
This activity is a great way to introduce iconic Hispanic imagery to your children and teach them about culture through art. Follow these simple instructions from PBS, and in just 30 minutes, you and your child can make festive papel picado at home using only a few materials. It’s an easy, hands-on way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month together. When you’re finished, you can talk about how papel picado is used in celebrations like birthdays, holidays, and fiestas!
Create your own Alebrijes
Alebrijes are colorful, imaginative folk art creatures rooted in Mexican tradition, and they're a perfect activity for sparking creativity at home. Using air-dry clay, paint, and alebrijes printouts, your child can shape and design their very own fantastical creature, then bring it to life with bright, bold colors. Watch how it's done here, and once you're finished, keep the learning going by reading a book or watching a video together about the history and meaning behind alebrijes. It's a simple way to turn a craft into a deeper conversation about culture.
Color and Discover: A Journey Through Central America
This free bilingual coloring activity from the Smithsonian Institute goes through the alphabet using Central American words to learn more about the culture, as well as other activities that increase reading, spelling, and vocabulary proficiency for children. To get more activities like this one from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino, click here.
Create a Family Heritage Tree
Invite your child to draw or craft a “heritage tree” using drawings or pictures of themselves, family members, and caregivers. Add flags, food, or symbols that represent their Hispanic cultures and traditions. Share stories about where relatives or ancestors came from and what traditions are meaningful to each branch of your family and community. This activity helps children feel proud of who they are and connected to their family, culture, and community.
Cook a Family Recipe Together
Food connects generations and tells stories. Choose a favorite family recipe, like tamales, pupusas, arroz con leche, or empanadas, and make it together. As you cook, talk about where the dish comes from, who taught you the recipe, or what memories it brings back. You can even write or decorate your own family recipe book to pass down to future generations! Another great way to celebrate is by visiting a local restaurant or food vendor that serves traditional foods, supporting small businesses while introducing your child to new flavors and traditions.
Dance to Latin Music
Put on a playlist that includes salsa, cumbia, merengue, or mariachi and let everyone move to the rhythm! Try to teach your child a few steps or show them how music varies by country. Dancing is a joyful way for children to experience culture through sound and movement.
Play Lotería
Lotería is a beloved Mexican bingo-style game that has been bringing families together for generations. Using colorful cards featuring symbols like el sol, la luna, and el corazón, players mark their boards as images are called out, often accompanied by playful riddles or sayings passed down through generations. Plus, it’s a fun way for kids to build vocabulary, memory, and many other skills through play. Learn more here. Grab a set or make your own! Enjoy a game night with the whole family and build cultural connections all at once.
Whether through art, music, cooking, storytelling, or playing games every moment spent learning together builds connection, resilience, and hope that helps children grow proud of their roots and inspired to contribute to a brighter, more united future.
