It's About Time

Four Ways to Incorporate Hispanic Heritage Month and Day for Kids

On Sept. 12, celebrate Day for Kids and Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) with fun activities you and a child can do together. Spice things up by exploring the Hispanic culture. Discuss topics such as dance, music, food and geography. We suggest the following ideas:

  1. Food – Assisting your child, search the internet for easy-to-make recipes from Spanish-speaking countries. After selecting one, spend time making the meal while discussing how food and culture are intertwined. Make sure to speak about your own family’s recipes and heritage.
  2. Music – Research different types of Latino music (Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Cha-Cha-Cha, Mambo, Rumba, etc.). Afterwards, have some fun making instruments such as maracas, guiro or panpipes.
  3. Geography – Find a map online and identify all of the countries that speak Spanish. Have your child color in the countries where Spanish is spoken. Then, identify the names of American states and cities derived from the Spanish Language.
  4. Arts/Crafts – Create your own Hispanic Heritage Month league of flags. Using felt, markers, glitter, glue and wooden craft sticks, you can design replica flags from Latin American countries. Hang them in a room and leave them up until the end of Hispanic Heritage Month.