Papel Picado Mini Pinatas and Free Coloring Pages to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (15 September – 15 October)
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration in the United States of cultures and histories of those with Spanish-speaking roots.It begins on September 15 to coincide with several Latin American independence days, and it’s a wonderful time for hands-on learning through art.
Below you’ll find 10 kid-friendly activities—led by Papel Picado and Mini Piñatas—plus free printable templates and coloring pages you can download and use at home or in the classroom.
What You’ll Need
- Tissue paper (or thin printer paper for tracing), crepe paper, construction paper
- Glue stick or white glue, tape, stapler
- String or ribbon for garlands
- Cardboard tubes/empty small boxes, paper cups or balloons (for mini piñatas)
- Scissors or safety craft knives (grown-ups help!)
- Markers, crayons, paint, hole punch (optional)
10 Easy Hispanic Heritage Month Crafts for Kids
1) Printable Papel Picado Banner (Beginner)
- Print our papel picado printable templates on regular paper.
- Layer over tissue paper; trace and cut the designs (adult assist).
3. Punch or snip top holes and string onto ribbon for a festive garland.
Skill focus: symmetry, fine-motor cutting.
2) Marigold-Inspired Papel Picado (Intermediate)
Use our “marigold” lace template, but switch the tissue paper to orange/yellow to echo cempasúchil flowers often used in Mexican celebrations. Hang it in a window that gets plenty of sunlight for an illuminating effect.
3) Name-in-Papel (Personalized Letters)
Fold tissue into a rectangle. Lightly sketch block letters of the child’s name; cut away the insides to reveal letter “windows.” Add small geometric cutouts around the letters.
4) Mini Piñatas (Cup Method)
- Tape two paper cups rim-to-rim.
- Perfect for sub plans, centers, and fast finishers.
- Cut a small flap, fill with wrapped treats (or confetti), and tape shut.
- Add a string and decorate with a star or heart from our templates.
5) Mini Piñatas (Box/Balloon Method)
Use a small cereal box or a papier-mâché balloon as the base. Cover with fringed tissue layers; glue on tassels. Great for classroom “pull-string” versions.
6) Papel Picado Suncatchers
Stick tissue squares onto clear contact paper cut to our banner shape. Seal with a second sheet and trim scallops—looks like stained glass!
7) Marigold Paper Flowers
Layer 6–8 tissue squares, accordion fold, twist a pipe cleaner at the center, then fluff. Display with your papel garland for a vibrant corner.
8) Lotería-Style Memory Match
Create a set of picture cards (guitar, star, flower, banner). Kids draw and label in Spanish/English. Play memory or bingo variants.
9) Rhythm Shakers (Maracas-Style)
Seal a little dry rice inside two paper cups (rim-to-rim) or use plastic eggs taped between spoons. Decorate with papel-style motifs.
10) Coloring Pages Pack
Use our free coloring pages (piñata star, marigold, guitar, and a papel banner outline) as early-finisher or calm-down activities—and to display next to your crafts.
Free Papel Picado Templates
- 6 printable designs: Beginner geometric, marigold-inspired flower, piñata star, corazón (heart), guitar silhouette, and bold “¡FIESTA!” lettering.
- Print on thin paper or trace onto tissue; adult supervision recommended for cutting.
Free Coloring Pages
- 4 kid-friendly outlines: Piñata star, marigold (cempasúchil), guitar, and a papel banner frame.
- Great for centers, sub plans, and fast finishers.
Classroom Extensions & Display Ideas
- String finished papel panels into a hallway garland with student name placards.
- Add Spanish vocabulary labels (papel, flor, estrella, guitarra, piñata).
- Turn mini piñatas into a kindness countdown—each contains a compliment or classroom job.
- Create a gallery wall: coloring pages + artist statements (“I learned that…”).
FAQ (for Parents & Teachers)
What age are these crafts for?
Preschool–grade 6. Younger kids can glue pre-cut shapes; older kids can cut intricate designs.
Is it possible to use normal printer paper in place of tissue?
Yes—print, cut, and display, or use the printout as a tracer to transfer onto tissue paper.
Do the templates scale?
Yes—choose “Fit to page” or scale to 70–90% in your printer dialog to make smaller pennants.
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