May 5 marks Cinco de Mayo — a Mexican holiday that celebrates the country's 1862 victory over France. Oddly it's not a huge holiday in Mexico, but has become a major deal in the U.S. as a day to revel in this country's culture and heritage.
And in spite of its rap as a booze fest dubbed "Cinco de Drinko," Cinco de Mayo can be a family-friendly celebration that's fun for the kids. How? Try these crafts alongside some guacamole and tacos to bring fiesta-like festivities to your day.
Who knew a used Keurig cup could make such a fun toy with #3?
Image via Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky!
DIY Piñata
There's no better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than whacking a colorful piñata until candy spills out — and this homemade version is a cinch to make from tissue paper, cardboard, and a few other household items (plus candy, of course).
Homemade Maracas
Maracas are a staple at Cinco de Mayo parades, and all you need to make these homemade maracas are foam plates, paint and dried beans. Easy peasy, and so much fun to shake!
Balero
This Cinco de Mayo craft doubles as game: balero, an ancient Mexican challenge where your kids try to hike the ball into the cup. And the cool thing is, it's made out of a recycled Keurig Cup and other items lying around your house.
More From The Stir: 8 Ways to Upcycle K-Cups Into Cool Kid Crafts (PHOTOS)
Piñata Cones
These ice cream cone piñatas are clever twist on the usual version: fill with candy, seal the top with meringues cookies, and you're done. Shake them, and they even make decent maracas to boot; at least until the kids take a bite.
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Cascarones
No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without cascarones — eggs filled with confetti that you crack over revelers' heads. And they're easy to make; all you need are eggs, confetti and tissue paper for the kids to get cracking.
Sombreros
Sombreros are synonymous with Cinco de Mayo, and these versions can be made out of terra cotta flower pots and a little paint. Place a stick with a name card in the top and these double as place cards, or if your kids make large ones they're a great way to serve food.
Papel Picado Banners
Papel picado banners are the perfect decoration for the holiday, and these instructions from frog prince paperie show they're as easy to make as paper snowflakes. So grab some safety scissors, and get the kids cutting.
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Mini Mariachi Band
Mariachi bands are ubiquitous on Cinco de Mayo, so your kids will love creating their own mini version. You'll never guess that these little guys started out as toilet paper tubes and tissue paper. Fill with candy and they can also serve as mini piñatas.
Fiesta Flowers
Making fiesta flowers is a Cinco De Mayo tradition, and all you need is tons of colorful tissue paper. Instructions from Aunt Peaches make it easy for your kids to create these beautiful blooms that can serve as a year-round decoration.
Mexican Thumb Wrestlers
Cinco de Mayo is a prime time to celebrate Lucha Libre, or Mexican Masked Wrestling. If only to keep your kids from throwing each other around your living room, have them create this thumb wrestling version, which can be matched with a wrestling ring.
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