Whether you’re an adult throwing a lively fiesta or a parent teaching your kids about Mexican heritage and tradition, these Cinco de Mayo crafts offer something for everyone.
Cinco de Mayo (or ‘Fifth of May’) began as a day to celebrate the Mexican army’s victory over the French on May 5, 1862.
While it is still celebrated in Mexico, it isn’t as widely observed as other Mexican holidays, such as Mexican Independence Day (September 16).
As I’m sure you know, here in the US, Cinco de Mayo has become a popular day to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture.
You’ve probably attended a party or eaten at a Mexican restaurant with specials on margaritas. But there are so many great ways to celebrate the day that you may not have tried yet.
Of course, I am going to say that one way is to make some Cinco de Mayo crafts!
Fun Themes to Use for Cinco de Mayo Crafting
People often get creative in expressing their celebration of Cinco de Mayo in different ways. It almost always involves bright colors and decorations which I love! Here are some themes you can use when crafting for the day:
- Pinatas are very common for celebrations and are relatively easy to DIY.
- The Mexican flag with its colors and coat of arms featuring a golden eagle.
- Mariachi bands with their matching outfits and wonderful music.
- Popular Mexican dishes can be recreated in crafting. Think tacos, tamales, guacamole; and desserts like churros, or flan.
- Mexican hats, or sombreros, can be created to wear or to use as decorations.
- Colorful paper banners called papel picado are fun to make and use as party decor!
- Cacti represent resilience and endurance which were needed to win the Battle of Puebla on May 5th.
- Lucha libre, Mexican professional wrestling, has very distinctive masks that can be recreated with a bit of imagination.
- Mexican artists can be celebrated by recreating their artworks. Frida Kahlo specialized in portraits, many of which were self-portraits.
- Tin art, or ‘hojalata’, can be created and used as decorations. These incorporate intricate designs on tin sheets, often forming hearts, crosses, animals, and other decorative items.
- Yarn art, or ‘yarn painting’, involves brightly colored yarn arranged into detailed images. Yarn painting Mexican-inspired designs is a fun way to celebrate the holiday.
Now that you have some ideas, get your craft supplies ready, celebrate, and honor the vibrant Mexican culture in your own creative way. Here are some Cinco de Mayo crafts to inspire you…
Cinco de Mayo Crafts
Cinco de Mayo Party Crafts
Pinata Inspired Napkin Rings
Make these easy piñata inspired napkin rings to add fun color to your Cinco de Mayo tablescape! Honestly, I would keep these out all spring.
Avocado Piñata
You can even get the kids involved with making this huge avocado piñata. Fill it with goodies, or leave it as-is and reuse for your party next year!
Papel Picado
Create a traditional papel picado banner for your Cinco De Mayo fiesta. If you like making snowflakes, this is very similar. Just follow the detailed video to make your own!
Taco Holder
This DIY taco holder will look amazing on your table and is a lot easier than you might think! Get the instructions, and a free downloadable taco party sign.
Coasters & Taco Garland
Learn to make two delightful Cinco de Mayo crafts – papel picado coasters and a mini piñata taco garland. Such a fun way to celebrate the holiday!
Sombrero Garland
Plain straw hats for dolls become mini sombreros with the addition of paint and bright, shiny embellishments! Use them as decorations on the table, attach them to headbands for people to wear, or gather them together to make a fun garland as shown here.
Cactus Ornaments
Cintia is genius - she made the spikes for these cactus ornaments out of hot glue! You can use these ornaments as decorations for Cinco de Mayo and then bring them out again for your Christmas tree.
Miniature Pinatas
What's cuter than a regular pinata? A mini version! You can use these as pinatas to break apart, or place as favors on each plate, or even string up for a party garland. So many options!
Tissue Paper Flower Party Lights
Do you have an existing set of Christmas string lights you'd like to repurpose for a Cinco de Mayo party? You can do it with tissue paper! Remove it when you're done. Perfect for room decor too!
Pinata Lanterns
These paper lanterns make great party decorations. Plus, you can fill them and they are surprise pinatas! Just get crepe paper in the desired colors, plus a few other simple supplies.
Frugal Fringe Garland
Save some money by making your own fringe garland. The garland shown here cost less than $4!
Serape Table Runner
Create this serape-inspired table runner to go under the DIY taco holder from earlier! This is easy to make with pieces of felt in various colors.
Easy Crepe Paper Flowers
Learn how to make crepe paper flowers in 5 minutes flat – so easy and so pretty! You don’t need any crafting experience, and they are perfect for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Leather Cactus Bunting
I never thought I would put these three words together (leather cactus bunting), but it is awesome, don't you think? Great texture and pattern and easy to make with a cutting machine.
Hanging Tissue Paper Flower Garland
Get all of the bright colors you can think of with this paper flower garland made with tissue paper. Very festive!
Other fun Cinco de Mayo Crafts
Tissue Paper Flower Bracelet
These tissue paper flower bracelets would be fun for Cinco de Mayo and also make sweet gifts for Mom on Mother’s Day. So cute and colorful!
Frida Kahlo Doll
Use the free template provided to make your own Frida Kahlo rag doll. This is a hand-sewing project, so you don't need sewing machine skills to make it!
Mexican Tin Heart Folk Art
Create beautiful Mexican tin hearts in this brightly colored recycling craft. Use a clean soda can and markers to make a unique piece of your own!
Cactus Cups
How cute are these cactus cups? I love them! It might be neat to make something similar for your party that allows you to use the cup for drinking.
Serape Coasters and Trivet
Use an old serape, or material that could be used to create a serape for this craft. Cover wooden hearts with the material for some attractive coasters and a trivet to match!
Toilet Paper Roll Mini Pinatas
Get the kids involved in making these mini pinatas! Grab some toilet paper rolls and tissue paper - these are perfect for party favors.
Frida Kahlo Cushion
Get the free pattern for this easy Frida Kahlo DIY pillow. Isn't it great that you don't have to complete her face to know it is meant to be her?
Huichol Yarn Art
Huichol style yarn art is a fun activity for kids (and adults) to celebrate Mexican culture on Cinco de Mayo.
Festive Masks
Create colorful Mexican masks using paper plates, paint and embellishments.
Mexican Poncho
Kids can use paper bags to their own serapes or ponchos. They'll love being able to use bright paints to create the designs.
Toothpick Cactus
Try this cute toothpick craft with kids. Make a cool cactus that requires no water using Styrofoam balls and toothpicks!
Lucha Libre Toys
This tutorial is for making cat toys that look like Lucha Libre masks. However, you could make them larger so kids can play with them!
Maracas
Add some DIY maracas to your cardboard guitars and you've got a whole mariachi band! Kids will have fun making these and then making music with them.
Mexican Flag Craft
You have to have a flag craft when you are celebrating Cinco do Mayo! Kids can learn the meaning behind the parts of the flag while they make their own.
Clay Pot Sombreros
Both kids and adults can turn clay flower pots into mini sombreros using paint and festive trim! These would also look nice on your party tables!
Cacti Lights
This is one of the most unique recycled bottle ideas ever! Turn plastic bottles into cacti - with plastic bottle flowers - and then lights are added to make them even cooler.
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