Creations of Mexico

Fun, art, and food of Mexico - let's create some together, then I'll give you some links to find more exciting things to do!

• Having a Party? Make a Piñata.

• Hungry?  Make Tortillas.

• Thankful?  Make a Milagros.

• Want to Do More?

• Other links to Creations from Mexico

Make a Piñata

For parties, children often have Piñatas.  The children are blindfolded and try to break the Piñata with a stick.  Here's how you make a Piñata.  You'll need:

• one large round balloon

• newspaper

• paste made from equal parts flour and water

• twine

• paint

• paintbrushes

• tissue paper

• glue rope

• sticks (yardsticks, broomsticks, or other long sticks)

1. Blow up and tie balloon.  Tear newspaper into short strips.  Paste layer of strips onto balloon, overlapping them slightly.

2. Make harness for Piñata by taping twine all around balloon.  Cover the balloon with more layers of newspaper strips and hang to dry for several days.

3. Paint newspaper strings in bright colors.

4. Cut trap door in back of Piñata; carefully pop balloon and remove.  Then, fill Piñata with candy, goodies, coins, etc.  Close door and tape shut.

5. Tie harness to rope and hang Piñata.    Children will use long sticks to try to break open the Piñata and free the contents.

(Adapted from Mexico, Susan Milord.  Charlotte, VT:  Williamson Publishing Co.)

Make a Tortilla

• Masa harina, 2 cups (You'll find this at an international food store.)

• Water 1 1/3 cup

• Waxed paper

• Rolling pin

• Griddle or frying pan

Heat griddle or frying pan.  Mix masa harina and water in a bowl.  Divide dough into 10 equal pieces.  Press one piece between two sheets of waxed paper and flatten with a rolling pin.  Cook tortilla on one side for 1 minute, and on the other side for 30 seconds.  Keep tortillas warm by placing them in a cloth-lined basked.

Here are some other tortilla recipes and the history of tortillas.

Make a Milagros

Milagros is a symbol of a miracle, healing, or something else for which you are thankful!

• pie pan

• scissors

• blunt pencil

1. Cut a shape from the aluminum pie pan.

2. Use the blunt pencil to poke holes or dents on the symbol to decorate it.

3. Poke a small hole in the top of the milagros and put the string through it to hang on the wall or wear around your neck.

Would you like to read more about the art of Milagros?

Want to Do More?

Turn to the "Mexico Reader" chapter of the Teacher's Guide for Pyramids and Pig Tails.  There are lots of exciting crafts, food, and ideas for creative play and learning!

Other Links to Creations of Mexico

Listen to some of the Music of Mexico.  Do you feel your self beginning to dance?

Are you still hungry?  How about a Mango Milkshake? Pozole?  Chocolate Meringues? Brown Sugar Pigs?  Here are some great recipes from different states in Mexico.  Or you can look at this site for other recipes, facts about chiles, a glossary, and the history of Mexican food.

Talavera pottery is famous among Mexican crafts.  Learn more about Talavera pottery and the process to create it.

Take a virtual tour of some of the art of Mexico, which spans 30 centuries!

Explore some of the museums of Mexico.  If you traveled there, which would you want to visit?

Back to Home Page