Creative Math : Use Cinco de Mayo Activities for Kids!

Cinco de Mayo is a proud holiday for those of Mexican descent. The Mexicans won the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Thus it is called Cinco (5) de (of) Mayo (May). The Mexicans fought for freedom against the French army who had more soldiers and supplies. But you don’t have to be Mexican to celebrate! Over the years this has become a popular celebration in the United States,too. That's because it is colorful, happy and filled with great food and fun activities. Work on some math skills with your child or children using these projects which promote creative math. Cinco de Mayo activities will have you saying "Ole!"

Materials: 

A sombrero or large straw hat

Yard stick or tape measure

Paper and pencil -divide paper into four columns: "name", estimate", "real amount", "difference"

Something to toss like a beanbag.

Place the hat in the center of the floor. Assist your child in measuring a distance six feet away from the hat.(Discuss: How many feet in each yard? How many inches in two yards?) You can change the distance depending upon the age of the child.

Have each child estimate how many times out of ten tries that he can toss the beanbag into the hat. Write down the estimate. Then have the child toss the beanbag ten times and count how many landed in the hat. Mark the real amount. Now have your child find the difference between the two numbers. Subtract the smaller number from the larger number. Write down the difference. When everyone in the family has tried, then compare the differences. Who was the closest guessing the correct number of successful tosses?

A piñata is often part of any Mexican fiesta. Modern day piñatas can be made in a variety of shapes and are always colorful. You can quickly make a piñata at home.

Materials:

• Lunch-size paper bags (you can buy them in color if you want)
• Candy/very small toys for inside
• Tissue paper to fluff up the bag
• String or yarn to hang up the piñata
• Stapler, hole punch and glue or tape

Math:

1. Have your child/children measure and cut 12” strips of crepe paper or tissue paper to decorate the bag.
2. Have you child divide the items equally between the number of bags that you are using.
3. Have your child add the prices of the supplies. Check work with a calculator.

Put some candy and a small toy inside the bag. Do not make it too heavy or it will tear if you try to hang it up. Add wadded up tissue paper inside the bag to fluff up the bag. Staple the top shut. Use the hole-punch to make a few holes at the top through which you will thread the string or yarn to hang the piñata. Wrap it with colored paper like a package with glue or tape and add many colors of tissue paper or crepe paper streamers each cut to 12" lengths.

Math: Have everyone estimate how many swings it will take to finally break the piñata. Write down the guesses. Compare the estimates with the real number of swings it took to break the piñata. Who was the closest?

  Hang the piñatas on a low tree branch outside or somewhere similar. Choose a child who will try to break open the piñata. The child can be blindfolded, spun around a few times and give a long stick to swing at the piñata. Count the number of swings it takes to break the piñata.

1. The battle of Puebla was fought in 1862. How many years ago was that?

2. How many miles is it from your city to Mexico City, Mexico? Use the computer for information.

3. It takes 1 pound of ground beef to make 8 tacos. How many pounds of beef for 24 tacos?

4. At today's rate (when this article was written) one dollar ($1.00) in U.S. currency is worth 13 pesos which is Mexican currency. How much would $5.00 be in pesos? $10.00? $25.00?

When you are helping your child improve his educational skills at home, add some new ideas to spice things up. Creative Math: Cinco de Mayo Activities for Kids gives you a different approach to working on basic skills. You can add variety by basing story problems around a holiday, playing a game with a holiday theme or even doing theme-related recipes with your child. Use simple hands on opportunities like these to measure ingredients, count money or estimate outcomes. It will help your child have a memorable experience.