Cinco de Mayo Party for Kids (9 Fun Fiesta Ideas!)

In the United States and some parts of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become a fun way to celebrate Mexican culture and cuisine with a brightly colored fiesta. No matter your heritage, your family can get in on the celebration. Whether you’re planning a themed family dinner or a big party for the whole block, read these nine tips for a fabulous Cinco de Mayo party for kids that the whole family will enjoy.

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1. Set the scene with colorful decor.

When you visit Mexico, you will see celebratory flags hanging above streets and in restaurants. Borrow this tradition by buying some of your own. You could also hang a Mexican flag or adorn food items with Mexican flag toothpicks.

Include a vibrant tablecloth or placemats, and cheery napkins on your Cinco de Mayo tablescape. A bright bouquet, sombrero, or piñata makes a fun centerpiece. Want to go grande? Multi-colored balloons on the ceiling make easy and inexpensive decorations for your fiesta.

2. Get your Cinco de Mayo party started with fruity mocktails and cocktails.

Set the tone with some decorated Mexican margarita glasses to put everyone in the mood for a fiesta. For children, my go-to party mocktails are one part sparkling water and one part juice.

Kick your kiddie concoctions up a notch with a Nada Colada or other tasty beverages from this Kiddie Cocktails cookbook. The most important part is the fresh fruit garnish so stock up on strawberries, oranges, or limes to add flair.

For the grown-ups, you can’t go wrong with the classic Mexican cocktail: margaritas! Sure, you could buy some margarita mix, but you’re sure to wow your guests if you make something a little more creative like a Meyer Lemon Margarita or a Mojito Rita from 101 Margaritas. 

3. Serve Mexican dishes that please all palates.

I love serving fajitas at Cinco de Mayo parties because everyone can add their own fillings to suit their tastes. Provide delicious Mexican food like grilled beef and chicken, roasted peppers, fresh veggies, sour cream, sliced avocado, beans, tortilla chips, and shredded cheese.

Quesadillas are always a favorite, so make a plain cheese version for picky eaters. Then more adventurous eaters can add pico de gallo, salsas, and guacamole to spice up their plates.

Order catering from a local Mexican restaurant or buy all the ingredients you’ll need from the grocery store. Make sure everything is prepared in advance so you’re free to mix and mingle once your guests arrive.

Get ideas for make-ahead Cinco de Mayo options in this Mexican Slow Cooker cookbook. For the guacamole, I swear by the Rosa Mexicana recipe.

4. Add to the fun factor with Cinco de Mayo crafts.

Keep kids entertained at your Cinco de Mayo party with a craft, like making DIY candy necklaces or plastic Easter egg maracas. Download these Cinco de Mayo coloring pages for an easy kid-friendly activity.

5. Dance and listen to mariachi music.

Crank up the music for a post-dinner dance party. Macarena, anyone? For a big party, consider hiring a mariachi band to play live music. If that’s not in the budget, then play recorded Mariachi music instead. Mariachi is traditional Mexican folk music, typically played by a group of musicians dressed in matching festive attire.

6. Learn the Mexican hat dance.

Go a step further by doing the Mexican hat dance (jaribe tapatio). This is the national dance of Mexico. Not only is it fun, but also it’s a simple dance that’s easy for all ages to do. Watch the video below to learn the steps.

7. Break open a pinata.

It isn’t really a fiesta without a pinata! You can buy yours from a party shop or online. Fill it with Mexican candies and small toys to thrill the kids when it bursts open.

If playing indoors, then be sure to clear anything breakable from the room first or choose a safer pull-string pinata.

8. Serve a simple, yet festive dessert.

As the perfect way to end your Cinco de Mayo party, top off the meal with ice cream presented in a candy-rimmed glass. Just rub the rim with a lime and then dip in edible confetti sprinkles or colored sugar. Add some colorful plastic spoons and – olé! Dessert is served. 

For more authentic Mexican desserts, consider serving flan, churros, or a tres leches cake. Not sure how to make these? Follow the recipes in My Sweet Mexico cookbook.

9. Learn about Mexico.

Cinco de Mayo for kids is an opportunity to celebrate while gaining knowledge about Mexico and Mexican traditions. Teach children the history of Cinco de Mayo throughout your party. They’ll be having so much fun, they won’t even notice they’re learning!

Buy a children’s book about Cinco de Mayo to get kids even more excited about this holiday.

Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day.

Although most Americans think Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, the holiday actually commemorates the Battle of Puebla, during which the Mexican army defeated the French army in the 1800s on the fifth of May.

Where is Cinco de Mayo celebrated?

To experience the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in Mexico, travel to the state of Puebla, where the Mexican soldiers defeated French forces. Mexicans from this area go all out commemorating May 5th, when they won freedom from possible French rule. Look for military parades, historical reenactments, and traditional dishes like molé poblano and chiles en nogada.

You will find celebrations of May 5 in other areas of Mexico, too, including Mexico City. Typically, though, Cinco de Mayo is viewed as less important than other Mexican holidays including the country’s Independence Day, which takes place on September 16.

Since the United States borders Mexico, Mexican people living in the U.S., Mexican Americans, and many other Americans are happy to celebrate the delicious food and lively traditions of our southern neighbors. Border states like Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California are particularly fond of Cinco de Mayo but northerners as far as Canada get into the fun of this holiday.

Explore more party ideas and facts about Mexico.

If you liked these ideas for Cinco de Mayo party celebrations, then you’ll love our backyard barbecue party tips!

For another family-friendly party idea, take a peek at our tips on how to host a vision board party.

Explore Mexico with our tips for visiting the beautiful Central Highland city of San Miguel de Allende with kids.

Save these Cinco de Mayo activities!

Be sure to save these Cinco de Mayo party ideas for hosting a kid-friendly Fifth of May celebration or another Mexican fiesta. Simply pin the image above to Pinterest. We hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Have you ever hosted a kid-friendly Cinco de Mayo party? Tell us your favorite fiesta planning tip or memory in the comments below!

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