Here are 40 crafts for Hispanic Heritage Month! Also known as Latinx History Month, Latine Heritage Month – it is an annual celebration in the United States to honor the history, culture, contributions, and influence of past generations of Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.
The festivities begin on September 15 last through October 15. The dates coincide with the independence Day celebrations, hence the middle of the month.
Crafting is such a wonderful way bring community together and showcase the unique traditions and art forms of all these different beautiful cultures! From papel picado to piñatas, there are countless creative activities to try. Use these ideas for craft nights, large fiestas, party activities, and more.
Here are 40 crafts for Hispanic Heritage Month, that you can make and even learn a little something along the way!
Of course, we love to celebrate Hispanic Heritage all year round, but this certain time of year points a huge spotlight for people to learn about the beauty of our culture.
Why Sept 15- Oct 15th?
Because it encompasses the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. Mexico is Sept 15 – Fiestas Patrias!
Why Hispanic History Month/Latinx History Month Is Important
Normalizing diversity – Recognizing that we are all one as human beings, but we come in a variety of beautiful skin tones, backgrounds, and cultures.
Understanding history – It’s a time for all of us to learn about the history of different Latin American countries and the role they play in the past, present, and even future.
Encouraging inclusivity – This is what I’ve always strived for with Crafty Chica – to be included in the mainstream craft world. The same goes for other Latina businesses. The goal is to see our faces, products, brands, etc. every day alongside the general market ones.
Cultural awareness – It’s one thing to learn the history, but even better to understand and appreciate each community’s specific customs. Mexico has tamales, Puerto Rico has pasteles! Both have delicious flavors!
Language skills – Knowledge is power, and so is knowing different languages. There are so many easy ways to learn – books, classes, online apps, TikToks, YouTube channels, and even TV shows.
Breaking stereotypes – Muy importante! The best gift in life is learning new things. We don’t know everything and the more we open our minds to set aside preconceived notions, the better for everyone.
Connecting to personal heritage – I’m a third-generation Mexican-American. Even at my age, I still strive to connect with my heritage daily. It makes me feel closer to my ancestors who have passed on. Even if you are not Latino or Hispanic, you can reflect on your own culture and history too!
Community – This time of year is AMAZING! There are many festivals, mercados, concerts, and events happening all over the country. Connect with your local businesses to support and celebrate.
Of course, all this is great for kids to learn, but it’s also great for adults! Hispanic Heritage Month and Latinx History Month provide all of us with a broader worldview so we can understand and appreciate different cultures. I feel it helps to cultivate a society that is inclusive, empathetic, and educated.
And my favorite part of the season – CRAFTING! Since I love crafting SO much, I found 40 Crafts for Hispanic Heritage Month for you to make with your kids (or with your adult friends!). There are plenty of crafts to choose from! I wanted to make sure there was a craft for everyone 😉
Here are 40 Crafts for Hispanic Heritage Month!
Below, you will find 40 popular crafts for Hispanic Heritage Month! I hope you enjoy browsing through them and making them! So fun!
1. Loteria Match Box Shrines
This is a fun DIY shrine made out of a matchbox. If you love miniatures like I do, then you will LOVE this craft project!
What you will need:
1. Matchboxes
2. White craft glue
3. Gems and/or sequins
4. Scissors
2. Papel Picado Banners
Making these banners is a lot of fun! You can get so creative! These Crafts for Hispanic Heritage Month make me so happy! You can use this banner to decorate your home!
3. Mini Piñata Frames
What you will need:
1. Cardboard box
2. Craft knife and scissors
3. Pencil
4. Hot glue
5. White craft glue
6. Party streamers or colored tissue papers
4. God’s Eyes (Ojo de Dios) Garland:
God’s Eyes are a summertime craft that is made from using yarn and twigs! They turn out beautiful and are a lot of fun to make!
Here is what you will need:
1. Shimmery embroidery thread or yarn
2. Sparkly eyelash yarn
3. Toothpicks or twigs
4. White craft glue
5. Small crystals (with a flat back)
5. Air-Dry Clay Nichos:
6. Tin Foil Art:
Tin foil art is a traditional Mexican folk art form that involves manipulating tin into various decorative or utilitarian items. Known as “hojalata” in Spanish, this craft has roots dating back to the 16th century. After the Spanish conquest of Mexico, tin became a readily accessible material and a popular medium for Mexican artisans. The art form includes making decorative items like mirrors, lanterns, ornaments, and religious artifacts, among other things.
In traditional tin foil art, artists often hand-cut, stamp, and emboss sheets of tin to create intricate designs. Various tools like chisels, hammers, and hand-made molds are used to etch and raise the metal. In many cases, the tin is also painted to add color and depth to the designs.
But – here is an easy way to adapt this idea for kids.
RELATED: Repujado en aluminio + Free Printable
- Use cardboard as a base and draw or trace a design.
- Glue string or yarn over the design.
- Cover the design with tin foil, pressing down around the string/yarn outlines.
- Gently color the raised areas with permanent markers to imitate traditional tin art.
7. Cactus Handprint Art:
Cacti have been significant in the cultures of Latin America for centuries, playing a role in both daily life and symbolism. Their importance can be traced back to ancient civilizations and continues to be relevant in modern times. They serve as a food and water source, medicinal use, plus there is a lot of symbolism. For example, Mexican mythology, the nopal cactus holds significance in the founding of Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital. Legend has it that the city was established at a site where an eagle was seen perched on a nopal, devouring a snake.
- Paint the child’s palm and fingers with green paint, excluding the thumb.
- Press it onto paper to create a cactus shape.
- Once dried, use brown or yellow paint to add spikes.
8. Clay Frida Kahlo Portraits
1. Use air-dry clay to mold a flat, oval face shape.
2. Create two large eyebrows that meet in the middle to mimic Frida Kahlo’s signature look.
3. Add colorful clay flowers to the top as her crown.
4. Once dry, these can be painted further or left as is.
Here is a cute video tutorial on how to make a Clay Frida Kahlo Badge!
9. Hispanic/Latino Flags Collage
1. Research flags from different Hispanic countries.
2. Cut out rectangles from colored paper to match the flags’ main colors.
3. Draw, paint, or use colored paper cutouts to add the specific details of each flag.
4. Glue the mini flags onto a larger piece of paper to create a collage.
You can check out these 3 Fun Mexican Flag Crafts for Kids, for more inspo!
10. Tissue Paper Flowers
Mexican tissue paper flowers, also known as “Flores de Papel,” are a vibrant and significant aspect of Mexican culture. These colorful, hand-crafted flowers are often used in various celebrations and events, from birthdays and weddings to religious festivals like Day of the Dead (“Día de los Muertos”) and national holidays like Mexican Independence Day.
1. Take multiple sheets of colorful tissue paper and stack them.
2. Accordion fold the stacked paper.
3. Tie a string or twist tie in the middle.
4. Gently pull apart and fluff each layer, creating a full flower.
5. These can be displayed in a vase or hung from the ceiling.
11. DIY Frida Kahlo marble magnets
Frida is always an artway way to celebrate Mexican culture all year long. Here are more Frida crafts I created!
1. Buy some Flat glass marbles or round glass cabochons (found at most craft stores)
2. Frida Kahlo Images: You can find these online and print them out.
3. Modge Podge or Tacky Glue
4. Small Paintbrush
5. Magnets
6. Scissors
7. Optional: Acrylic Paint
12 . Disco ball inspired corazón
While visiting Mexico, I came across a wood worker who made these lovely sagrado corazóns – sacred hearts. I painted some, but for this ione, I used mini-mirrors. To me, it represents shine and light and reflecting both to the world.
You will need:
1. One package of mini mirrors
2. Wood heart
3. Lightweight gloves
4. scissors
5. White crafting glue
13. DIY Serape Jeans Jacket
Who doesn’t have an extra serape around the house? Here is way to turn it into a vibrant fashion statement for fall!
You will need:
1. Thrift store denim jacket
2. Serape placemats or table runner
3. Fabric glue or sewing kit
4. Tracing paper
5. Tape
6. Pencil
7. Straight Pins
14. Guatemalan Worry Dolls
Guatemalan worry dolls, known as “Muñecas Quitapenas” in Spanish, are small, handcrafted dolls traditionally made in Guatemala. The dolls are generally made from wire, wood, or cloth and dressed in colorful, woven fabric. They come from a folk tradition rooted in Mayan culture and are often associated with a legend or story about their powers to relieve worries and anxieties.
You will need:
1. Pipe cleaners
2. Wooden pegs or popsicle sticks
3. Yarn
4. Leftover fabric
5. Beads
Find out how to make Guatemalan Worry Dolls here!
15. Paper Arpilleras
Arpilleras are a form of textile art originating in Chile, traditionally made by stitching colorful fabric patches onto a burlap background to create intricate scenes or narratives. The term “arpillera” derives from the Spanish word for burlap, which is commonly used as the base material for these artworks. Although arpilleras are most often associated with textile mediums, the term “paper arpilleras” usually refers to a similar art form but made using paper instead of fabric. Here is a tutorial by Mundo de Pepita!
You will need:
1. Piece of blue paper (for the background) and lots of other colors of paper too!
2. scissors
3. Elmer’s Glue
Click the link above to learn how to make them! So fun!
16. Frida Kahlo Paper Plate Craft
This fun craft is kind of like the Frida Kahlo magnets craft above, but this time, on paper plates! So much fun!
You will need:
1. A downloaded picture of Frida Kahlo
2. Coloring markers/crayons/pencils
3. Scissors
4. Glue
5. Things like beads, ribbons, etc for decorating
6. Paper plate
Find out how to make these fun paper plate crafts in this blog post here!
17. Piñatas
Kids can make their own piñatas using balloons, newspaper, glue, and paper. This craft is inspired by the Mexican tradition of breaking piñatas during celebrations. I absolutely LOVE these Mini Sugar Skull Piñatas! So fun!
You will need:
1. Balloon or paper lantern
2. Newspaper or paper
3. Paint or markers (something to color it with if you want to)
4. Glue
5. Things like beads, ribbons, etc for decorating
6. Free Printable (if you are making the mini sugar skull piñatas) – Sugar Skull
7. Craft knife
8. Tape
9. Cardstock
10. Small candies for the inside (or confetti)
18. Twirling Paper Sugar Skull Ornament
There are SO many fun and different sugar skull crafts for kids to make! So many! But today, we will talk about the adorable Twirling Paper Sugar Skull Ornament craft!
What you will need:
1. 6×6″ piece of scrapbook paper
2. Crafty Chica Paper Skull Ornament Pattern
3. Scissors
4. Craft glue
5. String, 12″
6. Any other embellishments you want
Click the link above to get the full instructions on how to make those cute Twirling Paper Sugar Skull Ornament crafts!
19. Alebrije Shadow Boxes
Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. The first alebrijes, along with the term itself, are attributed to artist Pedro Linares. In the 1930s, Linares fell ill and while bedridden, he dreamt of a strange place resembling a forest. There, he saw bizarre, fantastical creatures which were combinations of animals present in the real world—like a donkey with butterfly wings or a rooster with the head of a wolf. All of them were shouting the nonsensical word, “alebrije.” After recovering, Linares recreated these creatures from his dream out of papier-mâché.
I always love to buy these while traveling in Mexico or you can purchase them from a local import shop. Then turn them into little shadow boxes like this!
Here is what you will need to make your own:
1. Mini Shadow Box (you can also use a shoe box or similar)
2. Alebrijes (you can find them on Amazon, Etsy, etc.) or make your own!
3. Paint and brushes
20. Mexican Tin Hearts
These gorgeous hearts were designed by Mark Montano – check out how you can make your own!
You will need:
1. Light tin
2. Paint
3. Tissue Paper or Colored Paper
4. Loteria game
5. Scissors
21. Huichol Yarn Painting
Huichol yarn painting is a traditional artistic technique practiced by the Huichol people, an indigenous group mainly living in the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas, and Durango in Mexico. The art form involves pressing colorful strands of yarn onto a wooden board coated with beeswax and resin. The resulting images often depict Huichol myths, religious symbols, and everyday scenes. These intricate and vibrant works serve both as artistic expression and as a means of preserving cultural and spiritual narratives. Over time, Huichol yarn paintings have gained international recognition and have become emblematic of Mexican indigenous artistry.
This is a style of Mexican yarn art and is so fun to make! Craft by Happy Hooligans. However, if you don’t have any beeswax (not many people just have it on hand!) then you can also use Elmers glue! It might be a bit messy, but isn’t that part of the fun??? I love this craft because kids of all ages can make this!
*Note: Another fun way to create this ‘yarn’ art is by using Wikki Stix on your windows! I know my kids loved using Wikki Stix on everything! That way too, they can pull it off and start over anytime they want to 🙂
What you will need:
1. Elmer Glue (if you don’t have beeswax)
2. Brightly colored yarn or strings
3. Canvas or piece of cardboard
4. scissors
22. Masks
Masks are ALWAYS super fun to make! And, there are so many different ways you can make masks! Kids can make masks using paper plates, paint, and other decorations. Check out this custom-made Lucha Libre Mask! So fun!
What you will need:
- Mexican wrestler mask
- Glue
- Beads
- flowers
- Scissors
- Trims
23. Aztec Sunstones Craft
Kids can make sunstones using a piece of clay and a toothpick! Kids can use toothpicks to etch Aztec-inspired designs into their clay (Sun Stone). Once dry, they can then paint them!
What you will need:
1. Piece of clay (We like to use Crayola air-dry clay)
2. Toothpicks
3. Paint and brushes
Click the link above to find the tutorial to make these awesome sunstones! Such a fun Craft for Hispanic Heritage Month!
24. Las Estrellas Ornaments
These Mexican paper star ornaments draw inspiration from the design of Mexican star piñatas and are so pretty!
What you will need:
1. Paper,printable, glue, scissors.
Click the link above to find out how to make these beautiful stars!
25. Faux pan dulce
How ot use glue and corn starch to make faux pastries!
What you will need:
Corn starch
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue
Craft Paints
Sealer
Puffy Paint
Small beads or candy as sprinkles
26. Peso jewelry!
How to turn those extra pesos into a sparkly fashion statement!
What you will need:
- Mexican coins
- Flat back crystals, size 12
- UV resin
- e6000
- Ring blank
27. Mexican Stamped Clay Bowls
These are
These are so fun to make! Who doesn’t love playing with clay?? These are also really easy to make because you just mold them into shape! Then let it air dry and then your kids can paint it and decorate it how they want.
Here is what you will need:
1. Clay (we like the Crayola air-dry clay)
2. Paint and brushes
3. Any other embellishments you want to add to it like buttons, gems, beads, etc.
Find out how to make these stamped clay bowls by clicking the link above! You can also check out the clay-trimmed flower pot I made and make one too by clicking that link!
28. Paper Plate Aztec Sundial
This is a fun activity and craft! Your child can learn as they make their very own sundial. The best part? It really works!
What you will need:
1. Sketch paper
2. Pencil
3. Paper plate
4. Markers or crayons
5. Large craft stick
6. Clay (like playdoh)
29. Aztec Woven Bracelets
This craft is inspired by the Peruvian tradition of weaving – but this shows how to make an Aztec design. This is the perfect craft for older children to do. I used to make these friendship bracelets when I was in grade school and always had so much fun making them! another idea – how to make a Peruvian friendship bracelet!
Here is what you will need:
1. Several different colored embroidery thread/floss
2. Tape (or something to hold one end of the bracelet as you make it)
3. Scissors
Find out how to make these pretty bracelets by clicking the link above! You can also check out this tutorial for Stiffened embroidery floss friendship bracelets!
30. Cuban Paper Bag Puppets
This is by my friend, Taty! Talk about adorable! That is what these Cuban puppets are! I love them! Kids can make these puppets using paper bags, paint, and other decorations.
What you will need:
1. Brown paper lunch bag
2. Different colored pieces of construction paper
3. Googly eyes or beads (for the eyes)
4. Scissors
5. Glue stick and double-sided tape
6. Toilet paper rolls
7. Buttons
8. Black pipe cleaner (or any color!)
Click the link above to learn how to make these Cuban hand puppets! If you want more inspo, check out these cereal box shadow puppets!! Amazing!
31. Frida Flower Crown
This fun crown is a beautiful way to celebrate Frida! She was an artful lady who enjoyed painting, cooking, drawing, and more! Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making a Frida Flower Crown!
What you will need:
1. Plastic headband 1″ wide
2. Green Ribbon
3. Assorted silk flowers and greenery
4. Hot glue
32. Rain Sticks
The term “rain sticks” likely refers to rainsticks, a type of musical instrument originally used to invoke rain by indigenous peoples in various parts of Latin America, particularly in Chile and Mexico. Typically, rainsticks are hollow tubes partially filled with small pebbles or seeds. When the tube is upended, the pebbles fall to the other end, producing a sound that resembles falling rain. Here’s how you and your kids canmake your own!
A rainstick is a long hollow tube that is filled about halfway with little pebbles, rice, dried beans, sand, etc. Rain sticks were popularized by Mexican and Peruvian music in the 1960s. Now it is time to make your own rain sticks!
Here is what you will need:
1. Cardboard tube from toilet paper roll (for shorter rain sticks) or paper towel cardboard tube/wrapping paper tube (for longer rain sticks)
2. Craft nails
3. Funnel
4. Hammer
5. Clear packaging tape
6. Rice, beans, or small rocks
7. Duct Tape, wrapping paper, washi tape, paint, markers, etc (totally optional of course)
Here is a helpful video tutorial on how to make rain sticks!
33. DIY Alebrijes!
Here is another alebrije craft, this time artist Alison Zapata will show you haw to make one from scratch!
What you will need:
1. Paper
2. Scissors
3. Markers, crayons, or paint
4. Ribbon or yarn
5. Glue
Don’t forget to check out my DIY Serape jean jacket (listed above!)
34. Make your own pan flute
The pan flute, also known as the panpipes or zampona in some South American countries, is a musical instrument that has a long history in Latin American culture, particularly in the Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. The instrument consists of multiple tubes of varying lengths that are either tied together or fixed in a frame. When blown across, each tube produces a distinct musical note.
Here is how to nmake a simplified version, thanks to The Dad Lab!
The Mexican Pan Flute is an ethnic instrument consisting of multiple pipes of different lengths. When blown over the tops of the tubes/pipes, it produces a wonderful sound. Kids will love making their very own pan flute and ‘playing’ it!
Here is what you will need:
1. Package of straws
2. Scissors
3. Clear Tape
35. Loteria Flower Pots
The Mexican Lotería is a traditional game of chance that resembles bingo but uses images on a deck of cards instead of plain numbers on ping pong balls. It’s a popular game played for both fun and, in some settings, small prizes. Lotería is deeply ingrained in Mexican culture and is often played among family and friends during gatherings, parties, and festivals. I used the Millennial Loteria game for this craft.
This is a super fun project that kids of all ages can make! There is no right or wrong way to do this! Let your child go crazy decorating this! After all, it is all about expressing yourself!
What you will need:
1. Terra cotta pot
2. Loteria game
3. white glue
4. craft paint and brushes
5. spray sealer
36. DIY Concha Shoes!
If you. love the soft and fluffy Mexican sweet bread, you will love this craft!
What you will need:
1. Pair of flats
2. Puffy paint
3. Iridescent glitter
37. Pirinola
The La Pirinola (which is a wooden top with instructions on every side of it) is a popular game that Mexicans play. They are generally made from wood but you can also make them from plastic and cardboard too. To play, all players put a coin (or anything they have on hand) in the middle of the table. You then take turns spinning the pirinola. In the end, the player with the most items wins! Now, let’s make one!
Here is what you will need:
1. Coins, pebbles, or whatever you have on hand
2. Printer paper or cardstock paper
3. Pirinola Printable
4. Scissors
5. Printer
6. glue or tape
7. pencil
38. Corazón Tea Towel
Transform a cotton tea towel into a pretty accent for tu cocina! And yes, you can use it. Use fabric markers, iron to set, then wash in cold water. And you are good to go!
What you will need:
1. Tea towels
2. Tulip Fabric markers
Click the link above for full directions!
39. Clickity-Clackity Castanets
Oh, these are such fun crafts to make because after you are done creating them you can use them to make music and loud noises! Castanets are percussion instruments used in Spanish and Mexican music. Typically, Castanets are made out of two hollowed-out pear-shaped pieces of hardwood, ivory, or other material and are hinged together by a cord.
What you will need:
1. Cardboard
2. 2 metal bottle caps
3. Strong craft glue
4. Googly eyes (or buttons)
5. Paint or markers
40. Coat Of Arms T-Shirt
What a way to represent! Make your very own coat of arms t-shirt to celebrate your heritage! How awesome is that?
Here is what you will need:
1. White Plain T-shirt
2. Printer
3. Fabric adhesive
4. Fabric glitter in different colors
5. Assorted flat-backed crystals in various sizes
6. Tweezers
7. Iron
8. Sheet of printer paper
9. Cardboard insert
By making these fun and easy crafts, you can learn more about the traditions and art forms of Latin America while also expressing your creativity.
Whether you make papel picado, tissue paper flowers, Guatemalan worry dolls, or any of the other crafts on this list, you can have fun while also celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of Latine culture. So get crafting and..
¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!
Let me know if you decide to make any of these fun crafts! I would love to hear how they turned out for you!
Hi Kathy!
I just wanted to tell you what a huge inspiration you are to me. You’re the reason why I started creating art again! I also love that you always share how you make all of your amazing creations so others can make them too. That is the true spirit of talent – being able to share your success with others.
Thank you for all you do and see you on Instagram!
Val Mejia
Val, thank you so much!!! You made my day!