Exploring Hispanic Heritage Month: 5 Creative Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Culture with Kids

On September 17, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Hispanic Heritage Week bill, which stated in part that it wishes to pay special tribute to the Hispanic tradition, having in mind the fact that five Central American countries celebrate their Independence Day on September 15 and the Republic of Mexico on the sixteenth.

Twenty years later, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation expanding the week to a whole month.

The National Hispanic Heritage Month now runs from September 15 until October 15. This period includes the Independence Day celebrations of Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

Hispanic and Latino heritage is rich in history, culture, and fascinating contributions by Hispanic and Latino Americans, both past and present.

If you have children and teenagers, this is an excellent time for them to learn about different cultures, extend their worldview, and better understand others.

Are you looking for ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your children? We’ve compiled a list of ideas you can take advantage of.

Tryout different Hispanic foods

There are plenty of Hispanic and Latino dishes you can try out during the month. Before cooking or eating, discuss the ingredients and spices that distinguish these cuisines.

Cumin and paprika are both palatable and aromatic. Do your children have a favorite food from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, or Spain? Research to find out more about it.

There are many Hispanic foods that you can try out. Some of the popular options include: 

Argentina introduced the globe to the chimichurri sauce. This herbaceous green sauce is delicious and served on top of proteins or vegetables or used as a marinade.

You’ll most likely have the ingredients on hand for kid-friendly migas. Migas is a popular meal in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, and Texas, made with scrambled eggs, tortilla chips, melty cheese, and pico de gallo.

Arepas originated in Colombia and Venezuela and are fried corn cakes loaded with chicken, avocado, and other ingredients. Watch the film “Encanto” to score bonus kid points before cooking the cheese-filled arepas.

When it comes to cheese which is a vital ingredient in most Hispanic foods, there is the Gayo Azul cheese. Gayo Azul offers a variety of Hispanic cheeses that you can use in your National Hispanic Heritage Month-themed dishes.

The cheese comes in various sizes, and you can find it in your local retail stores such as BJ’s Wholesale, Costco, Fresco Y Mas, Key Foods, Market Basket, Presidente, Publix, Sedano’s, Sam’s Club, Winn Dixie Supermarkets.

Explore Hispanic heritage through art.

Latino and Hispanic painters such as Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Fernando Botero, Diego Velázquez, and Francisco Goya are among the most well-known in history. 

Research their works and explain to the children what makes them unique. Then, have the kids try to reproduce some of these classic art styles at home.

Besides learning more about the culture, making Hispanic-inspired crafts is also an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience through art.

For younger children, this Hispanic Heritage Month banner-free coloring sheet is an easy at-home activity you can do with them.

Dig deeper into Hispanic celebrations and traditions

Don’t just celebrate the event. Spend some time learning about Hispanic and Latino celebratory traditions.

Each culture has its own distinct and colorful ways of celebrating. Mexican traditions include piñatas, Día de los Muertos (an early November “Day of the Dead”), and quinceañeras (a 15th birthday celebration for young women). 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor hosts a popular Día de los Muertos block party, where children help prepare food, music, and decorations. If you live around the area, you can always visit it and learn more about its significance.

Whether you’re attending a cultural celebration in person or watching it on TV, use these conversation starters with your child:

• What is the purpose of this celebration? How did it start?
• What principles and ideals are being celebrated?
• What music is being played, and how does it relate to the event? If there are dancers, do they have specific costumes or accessories?
• What symbols are associated with this celebration? Why?
• What kinds of foods and beverages are served?
• How can you appreciate this culture and its traditions?

Explore areas showcasing the culture.

Several organizations celebrate Hispanic history, music, and art during the month. This time allows you to discover exhibits, museums, and other opportunities in your community.

If there is nothing nearby, a virtual tour might teach your children about the contributions of Latino communities and individuals. 

Frida Kahlo, the Mexican artist, used to live at La Casa Azul has a museum dedicated to her work. Here you can celebrate her work and life.

The Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Latino illuminates the history of Latinos and Latinas, which you can visit in person or virtually.

Read Hispanic books with the kids.

There are plenty of books related to Hispanics that you can read with your little ones. For example, the Who Was book series is an excellent starting point for readers in grades three and up.

There are also engaging and informative biographies of famous Hispanics such as artist Frida Kahlo, baseball legend Roberto Clemente, activist Cesar Chavez, Tejano music star Selena, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, which will help the children understand the power of Hispanic trailblazers.

For younger readers, board books feature entertaining and vivid details about the lives of other Hispanic superstars, such as Salsa queen Celia Cruz and the legendary comic Cantinflas.

You should choose a book based on the reading levels of your children. If there are areas they don’t understand, research it and make it clear to them.

Parting shot

There you go! You can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the young people in your life through October 15 using these ideas.

Even if you aren’t Hispanic, you can celebrate the month. Remember that exploring a culture is an excellent way to learn about others while increasing appreciation for diversity and inclusivity.  

As you celebrate the heritage month, remember to be respectful of the culture.

Top Photo- Deposit Photos