I have some easy Mexican crafts. Too, we’re making a fun taco craft but this would really be fun if you could make it a fun cooking day. Also, look at my pages Mexico Unit Study for more hands-on ideas.
Too, you will find more hands-on history on my page Meso-America Free Unit Study and Lapbook.
We’re learning about where tacos come from and learning some things about Mexican culture.
One of the most important and fun things to know about delicious tacos is that you eat them with your hands. It’s like a fold up sandwich.
Just grab and go. And tacos can be eaten anywhere or for any meal, even for a dessert.
First, add some fun books about Mexico to your craft day.
BOOKS ABOUT MEXICO FOR KIDS
Sneak in a bit of learning while the kids are playing.
I always prefer living books first if I can find them.
10 Mexico Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To
Add some of these books to your home library about Mexico. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.
The Underdogs is the first great novel about the first great revolution of the twentieth century. Demetrio Macias, a poor, illiterate Indian, must join the rebels to save his family. Courageous and charismatic, he earns a generalship in Pancho Villa’s army, only to become discouraged with the cause after it becomes hopelessly factionalized. At once a spare, moving depiction of the limits of political idealism, an authentic representation of Mexico’s peasant life, and a timeless portrait of revolution, The Underdogs is an iconic novel of the Latin American experience and a powerful novel about the disillusionment of war.
Tales from Mexican folklore including The Palace of Canela, In Through the Window, The Coyote and the Sheep, The Cu Bird, and SenÄor Coyote and Juan's Maguey.
Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.
Every day is the same for Pablo's father. Then one afternoon the ground growls, hisses smoke, and swallows up his plow. A volcano is erupting in the middle of his cornfield!
Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields and let tadpoles swim across his hands in a creek. He slept outside and learned to say good-bye to his amiguitoseach time his family moved to a new town. He went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do? With this illustrated poem of endless possibility, Juan Felipe Herrera and Lauren Castillo breathe magic into the hopes and dreams of readers searching
for their place in life.
Fun novel combining Mexico and California cultures where a young boy learns about life and growing up.
In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life.A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor BookALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors .
. . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)“Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths.
Describes the daily life of the Aztecs, discussing life in the city, life in the country, education, food and drink, and other aspects.
Poor Coyote! What’s he doing, hanging upside down in the farmer’s house, next to a pot of boiling water? How’d he wind up underneath the jicara tree, getting bonked by rock-hard fruit? Who tricked him into whacking a wasps’ nest with a stick? And why is he always howling at the moon? Because of Rabbit, that’s why! Longtime collaborators Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola look to the folklore of Oaxaca, Mexico, for this nutty, naughty tale of trickery and hijinks. Written with sly humor and illustrated in the vibrant golds, blues, and reds of the Southwest, this is a story with a flavor as distinctive as chile peppers.
Next, look at these easy Mexican crafts.
EASY MEXICAN CRAFTS
- 5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages
- How to make paper rosettes and Señoritas
- Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband
- I Spy Cinco de Mayo Free Printable
- When Were Mayans Alive | The Vanishing Mayan Civilization Free Printable
- Mexican Mirrors
- Cardboard Box Guitar Craft for Kids
- Maracas Craft
Then, look at some of these facts about tacos.
FACTS ABOUT MEXICAN TACOS
- First, tacos come from Mexico but from a long time ago.
- The ancient Aztecs, who were from Mexico, used flat corn tortillas to hold their food.
- The word taco means light meal, plug or a wedge or wad.
- Tortillas can be made from flour or corn but traditionally from corn.
- Then the filling can be an endless list of delicious ingredients like meat, beans, eggs and even vegetables. Some love rice in them too as part of the filling.
- Next, there is just as long list of toppings like cheese of your liking or Mexican cheese, sour cream, avocado, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and don’t forget the salsa.
- And like most countries where food differs from each region, tacos vary from region to region.
For example, there are tacos al pastor, tacos de carnitas, tacos de pescado (fish) and taco de barbacoa.
Finally, look at this fun craft you can add to your study of Mexico or you can for go it and make some right now.
HOW TO MAKE A FUN MEXICAN TACO
First, look at this easy list of supplies.
- 1 paper plate
- Yellow paint and paintbrush
- Construction paper (green, red, yellow)
- Scissors
- Glue
Fold a paper plate in half like a taco shell.
Paint the outside of the folded plate yellow. Let it dry completely.
Cut out your taco fillings from construction paper.
Lettuce: Cut green paper into leafy shapes.
Cheese: Cut yellow paper into small rectangles or strips.
Tomatoes: Cut red paper into circles.
Open the folded paper plate slightly.
And glue your “lettuce,” “cheese,” and “tomatoes” along the inside edge of the back side of the plate, so they stick out when the plate is folded.
Seal the taco.
Apply glue along the inside edge of the front flap and press the two sides of the plate together to seal your taco.
