Cinco de Mayo means it is fiesta time! Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's victory over French forces in the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Plan a kid-friendly dinner celebrating the history and culture of Mexico with a springtime fiesta. Turn this into a family event by letting the children create decoration, help with dinner preparations and plan activities for after dinner.
Decorations:
Papel Picadois a tissue paper fiesta banner. This is simple enough to do with your kids.
Materials:
9 x 12 rectangles of multicolored tissue paper
Scissors
Single hole punch (or decorative craft punch if you have one available)
Fishing line
Clear tape (optional)
Instructions:Fold tissue paper in half. Cut a scallop border along the unfolded edges. Use a single-hole punch (or craft punch) to create designs through both layers of tissue paper. Hang each folded sheet over fishing line. The folded edge should hold them in place, but you use tape to secure if needed.
Placemats 
Materials:scissors
glue
ruler
pencil
one 18" x 12" piece of construction paper.
- this larger piece will become the background color for the placemat
16 strips of construction paper in a single color or multiple colors
- these strips should be 1 inch wide by 12 inches long
Optional: clear contact paper.
Instructions:
Take the large piece of construction paper and fold it in half across the width. Use you ruler to mark the paper a each inch along the folded edge. Do the same along the open edge but the marks should be 1 inch from the edge of the paper. Draw a line connecting the marks.
With the paper still folded and starting at the fold cut along the lines being careful to stop one inch from the open edge. Unfold the paper to reveal the loom that you have created.
Weave the one inch strips through the loom. If you are using multiple colors be sure to alternate them for the most colorful effect. .
Glue the ends of the strips to the edges of the loom to hold them in place
OPTIONAL:
Use clear contact paper to 'laminate' the placemat and extend its life.
* Pictures from DKLT
Food and Drinks
Margaritas (non-alcoholic of course)
Ingredients
2 oz. lemon-lime soda
3 oz. sweet and sour mix
1 tsp. coarse salt
Ice
Lime wedge
Instructions: Pour the coarse salt onto a plate or saucer. Moisten the rim of a margarita glass with the lime wedge. Dip the glass into the salt until it coats the rim. Moisten the rim of a margarita glass with the lime wedge. Dip the glass into the salt until it coats the rim. Garnish with the lime.
Taco Bar
Having a taco bar at a Cinco de Mayo party is a great way to include kids in helping prepare their own food. It even becomes a fun party activity as kids choose favorite toppings. If your really lucky they may even try a few new foods.
Set out hard and soft taco shells along with a variety of toppings. Meat, beans, salsa, cheese, tomatoes, onions, peppers, avocado, guacamole and sour cream. Make a contest out of building the tacos. See who can create the most colorful taco.
Dessert
Apple Enchiladas
Ingredients:
1 can, 42 oz. apple pie filling
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup water
Directions: Spoon pie filling evenly down the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle lightly with ground cinnamon. Roll up and place seam side down in a greased baking dish. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until syrupy. Pour over enchiladas in baking dish and let stand for 20-30 minutes. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Activities:
Mexican Hat Dance
Materials:
sombreros - one less than the number of kids playing the game. For example, if there are ten kids, you need nine sombreros.
Mexican-style music
Directions:
Place sombreros in a circle on the floor.
Kids stand around them in a bigger circle.
Play Mexican-style music while kids dance around the sombreros.
When the music stops, kids find a sombrero to wear.
The one without a hat is out of the game.
Continue playing until only one child is left with a sombrero.
End the evening by busting open a pinata.
