Festive & Family-Friendly Cinco de Mayo Activities That Won’t Break the Bank

Just like Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day and India’s Holi, Mexico’s Cinco de Mayo is a historically regional holiday that’s now celebrated around the world. It’s also a great opportunity to give your family a memorable experience that introduces them to new cultures as well as important pieces of history.

In this guide, you’ll discover some interactive and inexpensive Cinco de Mayo activities to enjoy with your whole crew!

1. Get crafty with themed decorations.

Creating your very own family fiesta is super simple, so long as you have the right decorations!
One option is to help your kids make Mexican flags using construction paper or colored pencils; you even can double up and use this as a chance to talk about what the colors of the flag (green, white, and red) all represent.

Or, you can attempt handmade papel picado, a traditional folk art from Mexico that involves cutting patterns out of colorful tissue paper. This kid-friendly papel picado guide from teachkidsART can help you make some gorgeous, one-of-a-kind designs to hang along your doorways or window frames.

2. Cook a traditional Mexican meal.

Mexican food is downright delicious — and even picky kids tend to agree with that sentiment, too. Cooking a traditional Mexican meal is a wonderful way to mark this holiday and a great excuse to serve up something a little different at dinnertime. Search for interesting Cinco de Mayo recipes like chilaquiles, tostadas, enchiladas, or mole (a traditional marinade and sauce).

And don’t forget about dessert! Get your kids in the kitchen with you to help make some fiesta-ready taco sugar cookies. This fresh take on a taco uses sugar cookies for the shells and brownie pieces for the filling, meaning kids are sure to get a kick out of this inventive treat.

3. Eat at a local Mexican restaurant.

If you feel like taking a night off from cooking, no worries! You can still embrace the cuisine by popping into a local Mexican restaurant. When you’re trying to stick to a budget, you can Google ‘restaurant specials near me’ to find the best Cinco de Mayo deals or discounts and maybe even happen upon a new restaurant you’ve never visited.

It might be neat for everyone in your family to order a different entrée, so you can all share plates and sample a variety of flavors or spice levels. Most Mexican restaurants have a kid’s menu, too, just in case they’re in the mood for a hamburger rather than a quesadilla!

4. Take a virtual tour of a Mexican museum.

Mexico City is the capital of and largest city in Mexico, and it’s the most populous city in North America. Seeing as Mexico City is so expansive, it’s no surprise that it boasts a number of incredible museums, many of which are geared specifically toward kids.

But you don’t have to book a flight to take in everything these museums have to offer; take a virtual tour from the comfort of your home! Check out the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (Museum of Anthropology), The Mexican Museum of Art, or Homeschool Pop’s Cinco de Mayo video for amazing tours and online activities.

5. Play a few rounds with the piñata.

Cinco de Mayo wouldn’t be complete without a piñata, right? You can buy one from a party store or you and the kids can dive into making your own. Hint, per Berrie’s instructions, you’ll need about a dozen supplies to do so (crepe paper, newspaper, flour, water, and so on), but most of these things are pretty affordable or something you might already have on hand.

A third option is to buy a piñata from a Mexican market if you happen to have one in your area. There, you can also purchase some unique Mexican candies to stuff inside the piñata before it’s cracked wide open. Plus, shopping at your local “pinateria” means you’ll likely be supporting a Mexican American-owned business!

6. Watch a reenactment of the Battle of Puebla.

In addition to all the games and treats your kids will be enjoying, it’s important to share some Cinco de Mayo history with them as well. This holiday actually commemorates Mexico’s victory over France in the Battle of Puebla, which was fought on May 5, 1862.

Since the 1930s, the Battle of Puebla has been reenacted at a rocky outcrop close to Mexico City’s international airport. Take some time during your festivities to look through the stunning photos and videos that have been recorded of this reenactment over the years.

7. Take advantage of Cinco de Mayo savings.

While shopping on Cinco de Mayo may not be the most traditional suggestion on our list, it still makes for a great way to save money and get ready for summer! And Rent-A-Center has an amazing Cinco de Mayo sale you won’t want to miss.

Take advantage of Rent-A-Center’s deals on must-haves for kid-approved fun, like mini bikes, laptops, TVs, and more. When you purchase these items at a discount, you’ll have tons of room left in your budget to spend on summer family outings.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Rent-A-Center

Cinco de Mayo is the perfect day to organize some affordable and educational activities for the whole family — but the savings don’t stop once the clock strikes midnight! Rent-A-Center offers specials to commemorate this holiday throughout the entire month of May.

Sign up for Rent-A-Center’s newsletter to stay up-to-date on discounts and events or make a pit stop at your local Rent-A-Center to check out the latest deals on appliances, furniture, and electronics in-person!