Free and Fun Cinco de Mayo Worksheets for Kids
Cinco de Mayo worksheets are a fun and easy way to bring this cultural celebration into your home or classroom.
These free printables include coloring pages, bookmarks, word puzzles, and more—perfect for kids learning about Mexico or just joining in the festive spirit on May 5th.
Whether you’re homeschooling or teaching in a traditional setting, these activities offer a creative way to explore the meaning behind the holiday.
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Teaching Kids About the Meaning of Cinco de Mayo
Before jumping into the Cinco de Mayo worksheets, it helps to give kids some background on why we celebrate this day.
Although often associated with Mexican heritage, Cinco de Mayo actually marks the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Interestingly, it’s a much bigger deal in the U.S. than in Mexico, where it’s mainly observed in the state of Puebla.
Here are a few simple ways to help kids understand and appreciate the holiday:
- Read a children’s book about Mexico or the Battle of Puebla
- Try a Mexican craft project
- Cook a traditional Mexican dish like mole poblano
- Listen to Mexican folk or mariachi music
- Watch a kid-friendly video or take an online class
- Throw a small themed party with music and decorations
- Use the free Cinco de Mayo worksheets below to make learning hands-on
Fun and Educational Cinco de Mayo Facts for Kids
Help kids connect more deeply with the history behind Cinco de Mayo by sharing these interesting facts:
- Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day—it commemorates a single battle: the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
- The battle took place in Puebla, a city in east-central Mexico.
- Despite being outnumbered—2,000 Mexican soldiers vs. 6,000 French—Mexico triumphed.
- Cinco de Mayo isn’t a national holiday in Mexico, though it’s widely celebrated in the U.S. as a day to honor Mexican heritage.
- In the 1960s, Chicano activists helped popularize the holiday in the U.S. as a symbol of cultural pride.
- A traditional Cinco de Mayo dish is mole poblano, a rich, savory sauce made with chile and chocolate.
Want to dig a little deeper? Check out our favorite Cinco de Mayo books for kids—a mix of fun stories and history to help kids understand the meaning behind the celebration.
Free Cinco de Mayo Printables
If you’re planning themed activities for May 5th, these Cinco de Mayo worksheets make it easy to combine learning with celebration. They’re a fun way to explore Mexican culture through hands-on tasks kids actually enjoy.
- Cinco de Mayo coloring pages – Celebrate the holiday with printable designs featuring maracas, sombreros, guitars, and more. These pages are great for younger kids who enjoy open-ended creativity.
- Cinco de Mayo coloring bookmarks – A fun, low-prep art activity that doubles as a reading reward. Kids can decorate bookmarks with traditional Mexican symbols and take them home or keep them in their school books.
- Cinco de Mayo word search – Reinforce vocabulary and reading skills with a themed word search filled with holiday-related terms. Ideal for early finishers or quiet time.
- Cinco de Mayo word scramble – Mix fun with language practice by having kids unscramble themed words like “mariachi” or “celebration.” It’s a quick way to sneak in some spelling.
- Cinco de Mayo acrostic poem template – Encourage reflection and creativity as students use the letters in “Cinco de Mayo” to create their own short poems or phrases.
- Cinco de Mayo handprint art – Perfect for preschoolers and toddlers, these guided handprint crafts are simple, mess-free, and make sweet keepsakes for parents.
- Cinco de Mayo color by number worksheets – Combine math with art using themed coloring pages that reveal fun images as kids solve simple number problems.
Free Printable Cinco de Mayo Games
Add some energy to your celebration with these free Cinco de Mayo printable games. Whether you’re looking for a quick group activity or something a bit more interactive, these options are easy to prep and fun for all ages.
- Cinco de Mayo scattergories – Challenge players to come up with themed words for each category before time runs out. Great for older kids and quick-thinking groups.
- Cinco de Mayo bingo – Classic bingo fun with a festive twist—mark off images like tacos, sombreros, and maracas as they’re called out.
- Cinco de Mayo scavenger hunt – Kids will love searching for items related to Mexican culture, either around the house, classroom, or outdoors. Use it as a movement break or party starter.
Mexico Printables to Extend Your Cinco de Mayo Lessons
If you’re expanding your lesson beyond Cinco de Mayo, these free printables related to Mexican geography and landmarks can tie in nicely.
- Explore the country’s location and cultural context with our North America geography worksheet pdf, great for early map skills and regional awareness.
- Learn about Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, with a printable coloring page featuring this iconic Mexican site.
For other cultural holidays, like Day of the Dead or Christmas in Mexico, check out our themed printables on those topics—but they’re best saved for later in the year.
Last Updated on 14 April 2025 by Clare Brown