Cinco de Mayo Activities For Spanish Class

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that many students in Spanish class think they know about… but really don’t. And it’s not their fault! There are so many misconceptions about what Cinco de Mayo celebrates (and adults are just as confused!).

That’s where we come in as Spanish teachers. Our job is to help students go beyond the tacos and sombreros to understand the true meaning and history behind Cinco de Mayo—and make it engaging and memorable in the process. Make that happen with these Spanish Cinco de Mayo activities!

So… what is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862. On that day, a small group of inexperienced, poorly equipped Mexican fighters pulled off the impossible: they defeated the mighty French army—then considered the most powerful military force in the world.

It’s an incredible story of courage, unity, and pride. Students will learn about true Mexican heroes like General Ignacio Zaragoza and President Benito Juárez, and understand how this historic event became a symbol of resilience for the Mexican people.

Students should know Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (that’s September 16!), but it is still widely celebrated in the U.S.—especially in Latino communities—as a way to honor Mexican heritage and culture.

Spanish Cinco de Mayo Activities

I’ve created four Cinco de Mayo activities to add to your lesson to make learning the history of the holiday FUN!

Introduce Cinco de Mayo Vocabulary

Post a Cinco de Mayo Word Wall on your bulletin board with 25 images and key vocabulary words in Spanish! Give students a visual reference as they learn about the history of Cinco de Mayo and the Battle of Puebla.

Print and post for instant comprehensible input to support students as they read, write, and talk about the holiday. Easy way to build vocabulary and make learning meaningful!

Word Search & Crossword

Learn key vocabulary with a Cinco de Mayo Word Search! Define & find up to 23 vocabulary words related to the Battle of Puebla, along with 2 differentiated worksheets for beginning Spanish learners.

These print-and-go worksheets make it easy to introduce new words. A perfect way to scaffold learning!

Play Bingo

Help students connect with the history of Cinco de Mayo and the Battle of Puebla  with this engaging, bilingual Bingo Game! Students will love the colorful images that illustrate the true meaning of the holiday. Play in English or Spanish,—perfect for a variety of levels. Use it as a class competition or an alternative to a reading passage. Fun way to end your lesson!

Reading Comprehension & Color by Number

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with no-prep Spanish color by number & reading comprehension activities perfect for Spanish 1! Three differentiated worksheets that reinforce colors, numbers, and clothing words using short, beginner-friendly reading passages.

Each activity features present-tense verbs, cognates, and novice-level vocabulary—perfect for building confidence while celebrating Mexican culture in a fun, meaningful way!

These no-prep resources make it easy to build a meaningful lesson that’s also FUN. Your students will be learning without even realizing it—and you’ll love having everything ready to go.

Whether you’re teaching elementary, middle, or high school Spanish, these Cinco de Mayo resources are perfect for helping students connect with the holiday.

Grab the activities now to make your Cinco de Mayo unit one your students will remember!