Arts and Crafts

These are a few fun things you can make for Cinco de Mayo.

Maracas - They are an important part in the folk music and dancing of Mexican culture.

" You will need: 9-inch paper plate, markers or crayons, handful of dried beans or rice, stapler, five or six strips of colored crepe paper or streamers. First, decorate the outside (bottom) of the paper plate- use bold designs and bright colors! Fold the plate in half and put a handful of beans or rice inside. Staple it shut. Then staple the colored streamers to the curved side of the plate. Now shake your maraca, and make your own music!"

Serape - It is a Mexican tradition that can be added to any Cinoc de Mayo outfit.

"You'll need a large brown grocery bag, scissors, masking tape, and poster paints. Cut straight up the seam on the back of the bag, branching into a "V" and then a hole in the bottom of the bag (this is the neck hole). Next, cut about a 5-inch wide strip from each side of the bag. This makes the open sides of the serape. Now make fringe around the bottom by either cutting slits all around the edges, or by punching holes along the bottom and threading pieces of yarn through. Now, turn the serape inside out, so that the print in inside, and the side that is showing is plain brown. You may need to secure the shoulder area (the bottom of the bag) with masking tape. Finally, lay your serape out flat, and paint with bright colors!"

Pinata - They are fun to make and even better to break.

"You will need: A large balloon, lots of newspaper, flour, masking tape, colored tissue, paint (optional), glue, scissors, string, pencil.Here's what you do: Blow up the balloon & tie tightly. Then tear the newspaper into long, thin strips (about 1 inch wide and at least 12 inches long). You'll need lots of strips! In a large bowl, mix 5 cups of flour with water- adding the water slowly until it is the consistency of pancake batter. Dip the newspaper strips in the flour and water mixture, wetting them completely. Remove any excess moisture from the strips by running them through your fingers, and then drape them over the balloon. Continue overlapping strips until the balloon is completely covered. Add more and more layers of newspaper until you have applied 5 -10 layers.To decorate your pinata, let it dry completely, then either paint it, or cover it with colored tissue paper attached with craft glue. Overlap the tissue like roof shingles.To fill the pinata, cut a small flap in the top, bend it back carefully and drop in small wrapped candies or goodies. When the pinata is full, fold the flap back in to place."

For more ideas go to: http://mailjust4me.com/play/cinco1.htm