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Cinco de Mayo is a vibrant celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, recognized both in Mexico and across the United States. Whether you’re a parent looking to engage your child in a creative activity or a teacher planning a festive classroom lesson, introducing Cinco de Mayo-themed activities can be a perfect way to celebrate. I have created a set of four free color by number printables for kids to add some fun and educational elements to your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo, or “The Fifth of May,” commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862, where a small Mexican army defeated the larger French forces. This victory is a symbol of resilience, pride, and Mexican heritage.
While it’s often believed to be Mexican Independence Day, that’s a common misconception (Mexico’s Independence Day is September 16). Cinco de Mayo is a day to honor the rich traditions of Mexican culture through parades, music, food, and activities. For teachers and parents, it presents a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to the holiday in a fun and educational way.
Why include cultural celebrations in learning?
Teaching kids about cultural holidays like Cinco de Mayo fosters understanding, appreciation, and respect for diversity. Activities that incorporate art—such as coloring—can also make these lessons memorable and enjoyable for children.
What Are Color by Number Activities?
Color by number is an easy-to-follow activity where kids match colors to numbers in specific sections of a drawing, eventually revealing a vibrant picture. These printables are more than just fun—they also provide educational benefits.
Key Benefits of Color by Number:
- Number Recognition: Kids associate numbers with their corresponding colors, reinforcing counting and number identification skills.
- Fine Motor Skills: Coloring within the lines improves hand-eye coordination, grip strength, and pencil control.
- Color Recognition: Associating numbers with specific colors helps children learn to identify and differentiate between colors.
- Focus and Patience: Following a color guide teaches kids to work systematically and concentrate on completing tasks.
- Creativity and Fun: Kids love the surprise of seeing their drawing come to life—it’s an engaging way to learn!
By combining these benefits with Cinco de Mayo-inspired designs, kids can enjoy a creative and festive way to celebrate the holiday.
Free Cinco de Mayo-Themed Color by Number Printables
I’ve created a set of four free Cinco de Mayo color by number printables that are perfect for kids of all ages. From traditional symbols like sombreros and maracas, there’s something to spark every child’s creativity.
What’s Included:
- Four fun festive designs capturing the spirit of Cinco de Mayo
- Easy-to-follow numbered sections
- Fun with bold colors like green, red, yellow, and more
These printables are ideal for both classrooms and homes. You can download them below and print as many as needed!
Pro Tip: Pair these coloring sheets with a brief explanation of what each symbol represents (e.g., the history of maracas or the importance of the Mexican flag) to turn this into a mini lesson on Mexican culture.
Tips for Using Cinco de Mayo Printables
Whether you’re planning an art activity for your homeschool curriculum or bringing some festive fun to your classroom, here are some tips to make the most out of these printables:
1. Introduce the History First
Start the activity with a quick explanation of what Cinco de Mayo is all about. Engage kids with fun facts about its traditions and symbols to build excitement for the coloring activity.
2. Add Festive Touches
Encourage kids to incorporate bold and bright colors often associated with Cinco de Mayo, like red, green, yellow, and orange. These vivid colors reflect the lively spirit of the celebration.
3. Create a Collaborative Mural
Print several copies of the coloring sheets and have kids work together to color them. Once complete, display the finished artwork as a collaborative mural on a bulletin board or classroom wall.
4. Pair with Other Cinco de Mayo Activities
Combine coloring with other printable activities, like coloring pages featuring traditional Mexican symbols or designs, word searches with Spanish vocabulary related to the holiday, or even a mini history lesson on the origins of Cinco de Mayo. This will provide a well-rounded learning experience for kids and keep them engaged in the celebration.
5. Encourage Conversations
Ask open-ended questions, such as:
- “What do the colors remind you of?”
- “Why do you think these symbols are important to Cinco de Mayo?”
This fosters curiosity and helps children connect their creative activity with the cultural significance of the holiday.
6. Send Home Artwork
If you’re a teacher, encourage kids to take their finished coloring sheets home. They’ll love sharing their festive artwork with their families.
Get Your Free Cinco De Mayo Coloring Coloring Pages Here!
Now that you have some tips and ideas for celebrating Cinco de Mayo with kids, it’s time to get your free download of Cinco de Mayo coloring pages.
Enter your email below to receive a PDF file of coloring pages featuring traditional Mexican designs and symbols. This is a great activity for kids to do at home or in the classroom, and they can proudly display their completed artwork for all to see.
Already a subscriber? No worries, just enter your email to get your download.
If you like these Cinco De Mayo Color by Number, be sure to check out my other resources and activities, like these Spring Color By Number.
Also, checkout my TPT shop for more educational resources for your homeschool or classroom needs.
Additional Activities
Looking for more ways to celebrate? Here are some fun and educational activities to do with kids:
- Create papel picado (decorative paper banners) using tissue paper or construction paper.
- Make homemade tortillas from scratch and have a taco night with all the fixings.
- Learn about traditional Mexican dances like the Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican hat dance).
- Watch videos or read books about the history of Cinco de Mayo and its significance.
Conclusion
Cinco de Mayo is more than just a holiday—it’s an opportunity to celebrate and learn about Mexican culture in an engaging and interactive way. Color by number activities are the perfect way to combine fun, education, and creativity. With our free printable designs, you’ll have all the tools you need to make this Cinco de Mayo memorable for your kids or students.
Download your free Cinco de Mayo color by number printables today! Bring education, culture, and creativity to life with a splash of color.
Happy coloring and celebrating! 🌮 🌵 💃