13 Little-Known Fun Facts About Cinco de Mayo for Kids
Cinco de May is a fun, colorful day that we often celebrate by wearing sombreros and eating Mexican foods! But what is Cinco de Mayo, and why do we celebrate it? These fun facts about Cinco de Mayo for kids help us understand the holiday, as well as give us some neat ideas for celebrating!
Use these interesting facts to help kids learn more about Mexican heritage and culture. Have your own Cinco de Mayo party with some traditional Mexican foods. You might even get them to try something new!
My kids are huge fans of Mexican food–as long as the Mexican food is cheese quesadillas and rice! However, serving up some enchiladas or tacos while wearing a festive sombrero might encourage them to give it a try.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Some people think Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. But it isn’t! Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on September 16.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important battle that took place in Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War on May 5, 1862. The Mexican army only had about 2,000 soldiers, while about 6,000 French soldiers were facing them.
Even though the French forces were much better equipped, the Mexican forces held them off for an entire day. Because of this, the French army had to wait for reinforcements. This took about a year.
This battle helped to turn the tide of the war!
In Mexico, it’s called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla, which means “The Day of the Battle of Puebla.” It is a minor holiday in Mexico and most of the big celebrations take place in the United States.
The anniversary of the Battle of Puebla is often celebrated in Mexico with military parades. They dress in the uniforms of French and Mexican troops and have battle reenactments. In America, we celebrate with tacos!
Share this interesting part of Mexican history with your kids with this list of fun facts they probably don’t know!
Fun Cinco de Mayo Facts for Kids
Hola, amigos! Are you ready to discover some amazing things about a very special day called Cinco de Mayo? Every year on the fifth of May, people cheer, dance, and enjoy yummy foods to celebrate a day that’s not just any ordinary day.
It’s a day full of history, pride, and colorful festivities! Come on a fun-filled journey to learn about Cinco de Mayo!
1. What’s in a Name?
“Cinco de Mayo” means “Fifth of May” in Spanish, and it’s exactly when the celebration happens –on May 5th! It marks the day when Mexico had a big victory many years ago near the city of Puebla. In Mexico, it is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla, which means “The Day of the Battle of Puebla.”
2. A David vs. Goliath Battle
A long time ago in Mexico, in the town of Puebla, a small and brave Mexican army fought against the French troops–and guess what? The Mexican soldiers won, even though they had fewer soldiers! This showed everyone how resilient and proud they were–just like when you win a game where the odds are stacked against you!
3. It’s Not Independence Day
Even though it’s a big celebration, Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s Independence Day. That’s celebrated on September 16th. So it’s a special day all its own!
4. A Mexican Party in the USA
Though Cinco de Mayo started in Mexico, it’s now a huge party in the United States too! It’s especially loved in places where many Mexican-Americans live, and it turns into a big, joyful party to celebrate Mexican culture.
5. Parades and Piñatas Galore!
Imagine colorful parades where people dance in beautiful costumes and play lively music. And what’s a party without snacks like churros and guacamole, right? Don’t forget the piñatas – those bright and fun containers filled with surprises. Kids get to swing a bat and try to smash them open for treats, which is super fun!
6. Music to Your Ears
Have you heard Mariachi music? It’s the soundtrack of Cinco de Mayo! Big hats, trumpets, guitars, and violins make the music that gets everyone dancing. Mariachi bands playing guitars and violins are a staple of Mexican music.
7. Fiesta in the Streets
All across America, cities celebrate with street fairs and festivals. You can see dances that tell stories from long ago, try making cool crafts, and listen to bands that make you want to move and groove.
8. A Day for Everyone
Cinco de Mayo isn’t just for those with Mexican roots; it’s a day when everyone can join the fun, learn about another culture, and be part of something that brings people together.
9. Have a Taco–or Not
We eat a lot of Mexican foods like tacos or enchiladas for Cinco de Mayo. But in Mexico, they enjoy a dish called mole poblano. It’s made with chili peppers and chocolate over chicken. It’s the official dish of Cinco de Mayo in Mexico.
10. Avocado Love
Americans love avocados, but they eat them even more on May 5. It’s reported that Americans eat about 80 million pounds of avocados on Cinco de Mayo alone!
11. A City in His Honor
Ignacio Zaragoza was the Mexican general who led his army to victory over the French. President Juárez changed the name of the Puebla de los Angeles to Puebla de Zaragoza. He also declared the day to be a national holiday.
12. A California Party
People of Mexican descent heard about the victory and first celebrated Cinco de Mayo only a few days after it happened. They had parades and ate lots of food!
13. The Good Neighbor Policy
President Franklin Roosevelt established the good neighbor policy to help foster good relationships between the United States and Latin American countries in 1933. This led to wider celebrations of this Mexican holiday.
Yummy Mexican Food to Eat for Cinco de Mayo
Whether you’re heading out to a large festival or staying at home with family, here are some more yummy dishes to enjoy for Cinco de Mayo. (Although most of these foods aren’t Mexican, but a unique blend of American and Mexican food called “Tex-Mex.”)
Tacos
Whether filled with seasoned beef, chicken, pork, fish, or veggies, tacos are a quintessential part of Cinco de Mayo celebrations. They’re usually served with fresh toppings like salsa, guacamole, lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.
Guacamole
Made from mashed avocados mixed with lime juice, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and seasonings, guacamole is a creamy and flavorful dip that’s perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips.
Enchiladas
These rolled-up tortillas are typically filled with meats, cheeses, and/or beans, then smothered in a savory sauce and baked until bubbly. They’re often served with rice and beans on the side.
Quesadillas
These are essentially melted cheese sandwiches made with tortillas. They can be filled with additional ingredients like chicken, beef, veggies, or beans for extra flavor.
Nachos
A popular appetizer or snack, nachos consist of tortilla chips topped with melted cheese and a variety of toppings such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños, and sometimes beans or meats.
Tamales
These are made from masa (corn dough) filled with a savory or sweet filling, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed until cooked. They’re often enjoyed as a special treat during Cinco de Mayo.
Churros
These fried dough pastries coated in cinnamon sugar are a sweet indulgence often enjoyed as a dessert or snack. They’re kind of like a cinnamon donut!
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Your Family!
Isn’t Cinco de Mayo awesome? It’s packed with history, pride, and loads of fun for everyone. Whether you love dancing to the beats of Mariachi, munching on tacos, swinging at a piñata, or just being with friends, Cinco de Mayo is a day to remember and rejoice in the wonderful Mexican culture.
Now that you know these fun facts about Cinco de Mayo for kids, you’ll celebrate in style! Next May 5th, throw on some vibrant colors and join in the fun!
