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Piñata Fun

Students will learn about Cinco de Mayo and create a decorative mini piñata.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Lunch Bags
  • Paper
  • Ribbon

Steps

  • Step 1

    Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates Mexico's victory over France during the Franco-Mexican War. (Contrary to a popular misconception, it is not Mexican Independence Day which is marked on September 16.) Have students learn about this holiday, which is a minor one in Mexico but has evolved into a major commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States. What was the Battle of Puebla? How did the battle help prevent the Confederacy from winning the American Civil War?

  • Step 2

    A piñata is a container, often made of papier-mâché, pottery, or cloth, that is decorated, filled with something sweet, and then struck and broken as part of a celebration. The idea of breaking a container filled with treats came to Europe in the 14th century, and the Spanish brought the tradition to Mexico. It has been part of the culture for hundreds of years and is often featured in Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

  • Step 3

    Have students form small groups, each to create a small piñata out of a paper lunch bag. Piñatas usually feature an animal shape, but can be designed as any object or theme. Student groups will decorate their bag using markers and embellish it with glued-on cut-outs if they choose. When the class has completed a few of these they will fill the piñatas with small written notes that compliment others on observed strengths or state positive messages that instill optimism in classmates. After the "sweet notes" are inserted (instead of the traditional candies), tie the piñata closed with ribbon.

  • Step 4

    Hang the piñatas as decorations and have a discussion about Cinco de Mayo and Mexican culture. Talk about the sweetness of positive thoughts before students break them open to retrieve the notes.

Standards

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture. 

SS: Social Awareness: Understand the perspectives of and strengths of others. 

Adaptations

Have students learn about some of Mexico's fiestas, such as Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Carnaval (celebrated in over 200 communities with the largest and best known taking place in Mazatlán and Veracruz) and draw scenes of communities celebrating these festivities.

Ask students to learn about some famous Mexican people, such as the artist Frida Kahlo, Dolores del Río (the first major female Latin American actress to achieve international fame), Formula One racing driver Sergio Perez, and Benito Juarez (a former president of Mexico and the first Indigenous president of the country) and to draw art inspired by these leaders.