Mexico Country Study for Kids: Books, Crafts, Recipes & Printable Resources
From mapwork and journaling to hands-on crafts and favorite folktales, we’re sharing fun (and free!) ways to explore Mexico with your kids. And if you want even more, we’ve got a complete Mexico Unit Study waiting for you!
Facts About Mexico
Mexico is located in the southern part of North America, bordered by the United States to the north and Central America to the south. Known for its rich history and vibrant landscapes, Mexico offers a fun and engaging country study for kids.
- Capital: Mexico City
- Official Language: Spanish
- National Animal: Golden Eagle
- National Plant: Dahlia
did you know?
- Mexico introduced the world to corn, tomatoes, and chili peppers.
- Chocolate was first discovered in Mexico.
- Mexico is also home to the world’s largest pyramid — even bigger than the ones in Egypt!
Children’s Books about Mexico
Books are always our favorite place to begin when learning about a new country. Here are some of our favorites we read during our Mexico unit study:
- Eagle and the Rainbow: Timeless Tales from Mexico by Antonio Hernandez Madrigal
- Whiskers, Tails & Wings: Animal Folktales from Mexico by Judy Goldman
- Borreguita and the Coyote by Verna Aardema
- Lizard and the Sun by Alma Flor Ada
- Domítíla: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition by Dr. Jewell Reinhart Coburn
- Adelita by Tomie dePaola
- The Remembering Day / El día de los muertos by Pat Mora
- I Remember Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story by Janice Levy
- Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown
- Danza!: Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de México by Duncan Tonatiuh
- Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale by Duncan Tonatiuh
- Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns: A Mesoamerican Creation Myth by Duncan Tonatiuh
- Lucia the Luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza
- Grandma’s Chocolate / El Chocolate De Abuelita by Mara Price
- Armando and the Blue Tarp School by Edith Hope Fine and Judith Josephson
- A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Inés by Pat Mora
- Jorge Argueta’s bilingual Cooking Poems series, including Arroz con leche
Books about Mexico for Tweens and Teens
- Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes
- What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau
- Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs by Pam Munoz Ryan
- Coco: A Story about Music, Shoes, and Family by Diana López
Looking for more recommendations? Visit our Global Explorers Book List — we update it regularly with new favorites!
While we strive to recommend books that are both engaging and appropriate for children, we always encourage parents and educators to preview books for content to ensure they align with individual values and educational goals.
Major Holidays & Celebrations
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Celebrated on November 1–2, Día de los Muertos honors loved ones who have passed. Families build colorful altars (ofrendas), decorate with marigolds and sugar skulls, and share favorite foods.
Día de la Independencia (Independence Day)
Held on September 16, this day marks Mexico’s independence from Spain with parades, music, fireworks, and plenty of red, white, and green.
Arts, Crafts & Hands-On Activities
- Paint a Self-Portrait Inspired by Frida Kahlo – Paint a self-portrait inspired by Frida Kahlo and discuss her unique art style.
- Create Huichol Yarn Art – Explore the vibrant art of the Huichol people by layering colorful yarn over glue to form patterns or symbols.
- Make a Mini Papel Picado Banner – Cut colorful tissue paper into decorative banners. Hang them as party decor or window art to celebrate Mexican traditions.
- Craft a Custom Piñata – Make your own piñata using cardboard, newspaper, flour paste, and tissue paper. Choose a traditional star shape or create your own festive design.
- Listen and Dance to Son Jarocho Music – Introduce kids to the sounds of son jarocho music with the Villalobos Brothers. Try simple footwork or clapping rhythms together.
- Play Lotería – Enjoy playing this traditional Mexican picture bingo game together. It’s fun for all ages and a great way to learn Spanish vocabulary and cultural symbols. We love this version inspired by the Disney Pixar movie Coco!
Kid-Friendly Recipes to Try
Try making these simple, delicious dishes from Mexico with your kids:
- Arroz con Leche (Mexican Rice Pudding)
- Avocado with Lime
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
Printables & Mapwork
Explore Mexico’s geography and document your journey with our printable Mexico resources! Kids can label maps, record what they’ve learned, and reflect on books, music, and more.
Grab our printable Mexico journal and mapwork activity here
Want Everything Planned Out?
If you’d prefer to skip the planning and jump right in, our complete Mexico Unit Study has everything you need — detailed lesson plans, writing and language arts activities, mapwork, and hands-on cultural projects like a Frida Kahlo artist study, Huichol yarn painting, and son jarocho music. It also comes with a Notion database to keep you organized, plus tons of printables and additional activities, games, and websites related to Mexico to enrich your country study!
Grab the full Mexico Unit Study for just $7 and start exploring today
the global explorers club
Where Will You Explore First?
Explore our complete collection of literature-based geography and culture unit studies. From hands-on art projects to global games and recipes, our curriculum makes learning an adventure for all ages.
the global explorers club
Where Will You Explore First?
Explore our complete collection of literature-based geography and culture unit studies. From hands-on art projects to global games and recipes, our curriculum makes learning an adventure for all ages.