10 Fun Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Kids

Looking for fun ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with kids? September 15 through October 15 is a wonderful time to introduce children to the rich cultures, history, traditions, music, food, art, and stories of Hispanic and Latino communities.

Hispanic Heritage Month provides families, teachers, and librarians with countless opportunities to help children learn about the world around them. And the best part? Learning can be fun!

From reading children's books and cooking traditional foods to exploring maps and listening to music, here are 10 fun and educational ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with kids.

1. Read Children's Books About Hispanic and Latino Cultures

Books are one of the best ways to introduce children to different cultures and experiences.

Choose children's books by Hispanic and Latino authors or books that introduce young readers to Hispanic and Latino history, traditions, countries, and communities. Picture books are particularly helpful for younger children because colorful illustrations can bring unfamiliar places and traditions to life.

For older children, look for chapter books and middle-grade novels that combine an exciting story with opportunities to learn about history and culture.

A Great Book for Hispanic Heritage Month

One book children may enjoy is Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure, part of my Bubba and Squirt adventure series.

In this middle-grade adventure, Bubba and Squirt travel to Belize, where they encounter the fascinating world of the ancient Maya. Along the way, young readers can enjoy an exciting adventure while discovering more about Mayan history, culture, and archaeological sites.

Combining adventure, history, and imagination can be a terrific way to get children excited about learning.

2. Explore a Map of Latin America

Pull out a globe or map and take your children on a virtual journey.

Talk about the many countries and regions that make up the Hispanic world. Locate Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Spain, and other countries.

Ask children questions such as:

• Where is this country located?

• What languages are spoken there?

• What is the climate like?

• What foods are popular?

• What landmarks might we find there?

• What animals live there?

You can even choose one country each week and create a mini "country of the week" lesson.

3. Take a Journey to the Ancient Maya

Children are naturally curious about ancient civilizations, making Hispanic Heritage Month a perfect opportunity to learn about the Maya.

Explore photographs of Mayan temples and archaeological sites. Learn about Mayan writing, mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and daily life.

For a fun hands-on activity, have children design their own imaginary Mayan-inspired city or create a simple paper model of an ancient temple.

If your child enjoys adventure stories, reading Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure can provide a fun starting point for exploring the ancient Maya and the history of Belize.

4. Listen to Hispanic and Latino Music

Turn your living room into a dance floor!

Explore different types of music from Hispanic and Latino cultures. Listen to salsa, merengue, mariachi, cumbia, flamenco, and other musical traditions.

Encourage children to move to the music or create their own instruments from household materials.

Music is a wonderful way for children to discover that there are many different ways people around the world express themselves.

5. Cook a Hispanic or Latino Recipe Together

Learning about culture can be delicious!

Choose a traditional recipe and prepare it together as a family. Depending on your children's ages, they can help measure ingredients, stir, assemble, or decorate the finished dish.

Try making:

• Empanadas

• Arepas

• Tamales

• Arroz con pollo

• Tacos

• Enchiladas

As you cook, talk about where the dish originated and how food traditions are passed from one generation to another. There are a couple of recipes in my book, Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure for chicken tortilla soup and fryjacks.

6. Discover Hispanic and Latino Artists

Introduce children to the work of Hispanic and Latino artists.

Artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera offer wonderful opportunities to talk about art, history, identity, and culture.

After looking at several works of art, encourage your child to create an original picture inspired by the colors, patterns, people, or landscapes they've seen.

Display the artwork at home and have your child explain what inspired their creation.

7. Learn Some Spanish Together

You don't need to speak Spanish fluently to make language learning fun.

Choose a few simple Spanish words and phrases to learn together:

Hola — Hello

Gracias — Thank you

Por favor — Please

Amigo/Amiga — Friend

Familia — Family

Libro — Book

Música — Music

Make it a game by challenging everyone in the family to use a new Spanish word during the day.

8. Learn About Hispanic and Latino Heroes

Hispanic and Latino history includes countless individuals who have made important contributions to science, education, sports, music, literature, the arts, and many other fields.

Choose one person to learn about each week.

After reading about that person's life, ask your child:

"What do you admire about this person?"

This simple question can encourage children to think about courage, perseverance, creativity, leadership, and the qualities they admire in others.

9. Visit a Museum, Library, or Cultural Festival

Check your local community calendar for Hispanic Heritage Month activities.

Libraries, museums, schools, cultural organizations, and community groups often offer special programs during September and October.

Look for children's activities such as:

• Storytimes

• Art exhibits

• Concerts

• Dance performances

• Cultural festivals

• History programs

• Craft activities

Experiencing culture firsthand can make what children read about in books feel much more real.

10. Celebrate Culture Through Stories All Year Long

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated for one month but learning about Hispanic and Latino cultures can continue throughout the year.

Keep diverse books on your child's bookshelf. Try recipes from different countries. Listen to music from around the world. Explore new places on a map. Encourage children to ask questions and remain curious.

Most importantly, help children understand that every culture has stories worth sharing and every community has something to teach us.

Make Reading Part of Your Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

One of the simplest ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with kids is to choose a good book and read together.

Whether you're exploring the ancient Maya with Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure, discovering a new country through a picture book, or learning about an inspiring Hispanic or Latino figure, books can open doors to new places, ideas, and experiences.

So grab a book, pull up a chair, and start exploring!

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month—and happy reading!