Cinco de Mayo has been chosen as a day to celebrate the Mexican culture and heritage, by the Mexican-American community in the US. On this bank holiday, if you and your family decide stay at home, Safehaus UK recommends some fun activities you can do with your kids, while teaching them about another culture on the other side of the globe.
I. Wear Red, White & Green and DIY Maracas with kids
Dress up
Ask your child(ren) to dress themselves up in the same colors as the Mexican flag. This can be turned into a fashion contest between family members or between the children, if you are hosting a party in the neighborhood.
DIY Maracas
It'd be great if you kept some of the Kinder Eggs plastic shells from Easter, because you just need one of that, two plastic spoons, tape and some macaroni, beans or peas for the filling and tada! you have a simple maracas.
If you didn't, another simple way to do it is with small water bottles/ smoothie containers, toilet paper rolls, tapes and fillings. Different filling and number create different sounds, so remember to test them out in the containers with your kids before taping them up. You can wrap them up with wrapping paper or paint directly on them with any colors the kids want.
II. Kids friendly Tacos & Guacamole for brunch
?Easy beef Taco recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean (at least 80%) ground beef
- 1 cup salsa sauce
- 10 taco shells
- 1/2 head lettuce, shredded
- 1 medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
Method
- Cook beef in 10-inch skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain.
- Stir salsa into beef. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour beef mixture into large serving bowl.
- Heat taco shells as directed on package. Serve taco shells with beef mixture, lettuce, tomato, guacamole and cheese.
?Guacamole simple recipe:
Ingredients
- 3 avocados;
- 1 firm tomato, finely diced;
- 1/2 white onion;
- 1/2 cup chopped coriander;
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice;
- Optional salt and pepper to taste.
Method
- Open the avocados and scoop out the flesh. An easy way is to cut it length-wise around the pit and then use a spoon to scoop out the pit and the flesh.
- Mash the flesh with a fork, you can either make it smooth of leave the hard parts, depending on your preference.
- Mix the other ingredients in.
- Enjoy right away or store in the refrigerator. A trick is to put a plastic wrap that touches the guacamole so it doesn’t brown because of contact with air.
III. Drinks – Traditional Margarita for adults and Virgin Margarita for kids
Traditional Margaritas
Ingredients
- 35ml/1¼fl oz Tequila
- 20ml/¾fl oz Cointreau
- 35ml/1¼fl oz fresh lime juice
- handful ice cubes
- lime wedge, to garnish
Method
- Pour the Tequila, Cointreau and lime juice into a cocktail shaker.
- Add a handful of ice cubes and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain into a Martini glass with half the rim damped with water, then dipped in salt.
- Add a lime wedge on the rim by way of garnish.
You can prepare a non-alcoholic version of Margarita, Virgin Margaritas, for you kids also:
Virgin Margaritas
Ingredients for a pitcher
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 4 cups club soda or sparkling water
- Sugar syrup or sweetener
- Oranges, limes and sugar for garnish
Method
Place all ingredients except simple syrup in pitcher. Stir. Taste and add syrup/sweetener to your desired sweetness. Garnish with oranges, limes and sugar on the cup (optional).
IV. La Bamba – Load your playlist with Mexican music and dance with the kids using the DIY maracas
This should be easy. Go to Youtube or Sportify and search for Mexican music playlist or just turn on 1-hour La Bamba
V. History Lesson for the kids
Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day; read up on it and share the details with us in the comments!
Source: collected from multiple sources
Further information
Send a message to SafehausUK directly from our website http://safehaus-uk.co.uk/ for more information about our professional childcare service.