Cinco de Mayo is a day set aside to remember Mexico’s monumental victory over the French in 1862. On May 5, Mexicans celebrate with parties, parades, and other festivities. But you don’t have to live in Mexico to celebrate with these activities.

 PAPER POSIES

Items needed: tissue paper (bright colors); scissors; pipe cleaners; ruler

1. Cut tissue paper into rectangles measuring 6” x 8”.
2. Stack eight pieces of tissue paper, then take the long side of the stack and begin making accordion pleats that are approximately 3/4” wide.
3. Wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around the center of the accordion-pleated paper.
4. Twist to secure in place.
5. Carefully separate paper layers, pulling them up toward the center.
6. Repeat steps 2–4 to make more flowers.

PRIZE-PACKED PIÑATA

Items needed: large paper bag; wrapped candies, small toys, and coins; old newspaper; stapler; hole punch; string; scissors; tissue paper; glue; crepe-paper streamers.

1. Fill the paper bag about 1/3 full of candies, toys, and coins.
2. Crumble up old newspapers to add fullness and finish filling the bag.
3. Fold down the bag opening and staple shut.
4. Punch two holes along the top.
5. Cut strips of tissue paper that fit all the way around the bag.
6. Fringe strips to about half way up the width of the tissue paper.
7. Starting at the bottom of the bag, glue the tissue paper in place.
8. Repeat steps 5 and 6 with different colored tissue paper, gluing from the bottom up until the entire bag is covered.
9. Tie a long string through the two top holes to hang the piñata.
10. Glue long pieces of crepe paper from the bottom.  

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Denise Morrison Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children.