Christmas in Mexico Ideas for the Classroom

Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas)!

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Christmas in Mexico Poster (KidsSoup members)

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Feliz Navidad Song and Lyrics

Las Posadas Preschool and Kindergarten Activities

Christmas in Mexico is celebrated from December 12 to January 6. The Mexican celebration of Christmas is called las posadas and begins on December 16. Families begin the nine-day observance of las posadas by reenacting Mary and Joseph's nine-day journey to Bethlehem in search of shelter in a posada, or inn. For the first eight evenings of the las posadas, two costumed children carry statues of Mary and Joseph as they lead a procession of family members, neighbors, and friends from house to house. They sing a song asking for shelter for weary travelers. Eventually, they are told that there is room and are welcomed in. The children go into the house and say their prayers of thanks. Then, they have a party with food, games, and fireworks.

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Las Posadas Poster (KidsSoup members)

La Posada: A Christmas Skit

For children, the pinata party is the most fun part of the las posadas. A pinata is usually a papier-mache figure shaped like a star, an animal, or some other object and covered with colorful paper streamers. It is filled with candy, small gifts, and toys and hung from a ceiling or tree. Blindfolded children take turns trying to break the pinata open with a stick while the pinata is being raised and lowered. Everyone scrambles for the treats and treasures that spill out when the pinata finally breaks.

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Nativity Scene Felt Activity Printables (KidsSoup members)

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Nativity Scene Coloring Page (KidsSoup members)

Christina from the blog laughingandlosingit.net shows how to make a nativity scene out of a paper lunch bag.

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Print our Nativity printables (KidsSoup members) to complete the scene.

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The Poinsettia

The poinsettia, also known as the Christmas star and Christmas flower, has become a symbol of Christmas. This winter flower's association with Christmas comes from a Mexican legend. The story goes that a small child, wanting to bring a gift to the Christ Child on Christmas Eve and with no means to a grander gift, gathered weeds from the side of the road to place in the Christ Child's manger at a church. The congregation witnessed a miracle as the weeds turned into brilliant red and green flowers. The Mexican people view the poinsettia as a symbol of the Holy Star of Bethlehem--the star that led the Three Wise Men to Jesus in Bethlehem. The tiny bright yellow flowers in the center are encompassed with bright red leaves that resemble stars.

Book Suggestion: The Legend of the Poinsettia

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Poinsettias - Christmas Words Beginning Sound Game (KidsSoup members)

Poinsettia Handprint Artwork (KidsSoup members)

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Poinsettia Craft form firstpalette.com

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Dried Leaves Poinsettia Craft from KidsSoup (KidsSoup members)

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Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) dinner in Mexico can consist of many different types of food depending on the area of Mexico you live, from oxtail soup with beans and hot chili, roasted turkey, and a salad of fresh vegetables and fruits to tamales, mole, pozole, and churros and bunuelos.