Be sure to visit our main Cinco de Mayo page for even more fun ideas including Mexican crafts, fun printables, recipes and more.

Most of these games are classics that have been adapted to fit a Cinco de Mayo theme. Remember, if you choose to play a game that requires teams, and you have an odd number of children, one person will need to go twice. Ask for a volunteer and if one doesn't surface you might want to leave it up to the team to choose who they think will be the fastest.

Benito Juarez Says

How To Play:
Before playing explain to the children that Benito Juarez, a Zapotec Indian, was born and raised in extreme poverty. With hard work, determination, and strong love for his country, Juarez became the president of Mexico and defeated the French, who had occupied the country for five years.

Played similar to Simon Says. The player up is "Benito Juarez". Player will say "Benito Juarez says hop on one foot". The children will hop on one foot. Player will say "Stop". The children are to keep hopping on one foot until player says "Benito Juarez says stop". Repeat for additional activities such as take one baby step forward, step backwards, turn around, sit down. Sometimes Benito Juarez will say "Benito Juarez says" and sometimes he won't. It's a fun game to play with young children.

Remember, most games can be adapted to all ages of children with a bit of creative thinking. Also, if you choose to play a game that requires teams and you have an odd number of children, one person will need to go twice. Ask for a volunteer and if one doesn't surface you might want to leave it up to the team to choose who they think will be the fastest.

Learn Spanish Activity

Teach children simple words in Spanish. For example: count to ten, colors, days of the week or month, common food items, etc.

Break the Piñata

Supplies:
Piñata filled with inexpensive candies
Large stick
The book: El piñtero/The Piñata Maker, by George Ancona
Blindfold

How To Play:
Before playing read El piñtero/The Piñata Maker, by George Ancona. Then blindfold one child at a time and place them just in front of the piñata. Turn them three times then let them swing. Make sure other children are out of swing range.

Buenos Amigos (Good Friends)

Supplies:
Paper
Pen
Timer

How To Play:
Set the timer and have the children write as many kind things as they can think of about their classmate (amigo) on their right. The last child writes about the first child. Suggest that they write kind things about how their amigo acts, thinks, plays, works or looks. Give the paper to the amigo to take home.

Five Strings

Supplies:
Cardboard number "5" with five strings or ribbons attached

How To Play:
Show the children the cardboard "5". Have them close their eyes until you tell them to open them. Hide the "5" with the strings or ribbons attached so only the strings show. Have the children open their eyes, stand up and search for the "5" strings. If they find it they should not say a word but return quickly and quietly to their seats. The first person to sit down wins and may take a turn at hiding the "5".

Mexican Hat Dance

Supplies:
Sombrero
Authentic music from Mexico

How To Play:
Have the children make a giant circle while holding hands. Explain that when you begin the music they should all begin to walk sideways. When the name of a child is called that child leaves the circle, walks to the middle of the circle and dances around the hat until another child's name is called. They may then rejoin their classmates and the dance continues.

Cinco de Mayo Bingo

Supplies:
Make your own "C-I-N-C-O" cards or print our Cinco Bingo Cards
Beans, for markers
Mexican Sombrero to hold call cards

How To Play:
Print our Cinco Bingo Cards or create your own cards using a Cinco de Mayo/Mexican theme. Cards might include: colors or numbers in Spanish, Mexican food items (peppers, tortilla, etc.), Mexican flag, etc. Another variation to create your own Bingo card: Write the names of all the children on pieces of paper and drop them into a bag. Note: remove the names of any children absent that day.

Create a BINGO card with blank spaces. Across the top it will say "N-A-M-E-S". Have the children go around and have their classmates sign their name to the spaces on the card. When all are done, have them sit down at their tables.

Play NAMES by drawing a name out of the bag. Play regular BINGO or blackout. If the children really like the game, then play "Postage Stamp" any 2x2 square (4 names) on the board, etc.