Inside: Learn about Christmas in Mexico including symbols of Christmas in Mexico, traditional Mexican Christmas foods, and more.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission off sales made through these links at no extra cost to you. Click here for details.
We have had so much fun learning about Christmas celebrations in different parts of the world during the holiday season. It’s exciting to see which traditions are similar to ours and which ones are completely unique.
Learning About Christmas in Mexico
There are so many different ways you can learn about celebrating Christmas in Mexico. You can use books, videos, printables, activities, and more.
Personally, I decided to use a mix of all the options above, and I created a fun printable to use as we learn about Christmas traditions in Mexico.
Videos
There are lots of kid-friendly videos about Mexican Christmas traditions. Depending on the age of your kids, different videos may be the best fit.
Here are a few great options to watch:
- Las Posadas Explained for Kids
- What Christmas Is Like in Mexico – YouTube video
- Christmas Traditions in Mexico – YouTube video
Books
There are several wonderful books that share information about Christmas in Mexico or feature characters celebrating Mexican traditions.
Here are the books we chose to read:
- A World of Cookies for Santa – This book shares the different treats children leave for Santa around the world, including Mexico.
- Christmas Around the World by Mary D. Lankford – We read the section on Mexico to learn more about its celebrations.
- The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola – A beautiful picture book telling the story of Las Posadas with classic Tomie dePaola illustrations.
- The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola – Perfect for teaching kids the Mexican origin story of poinsettias (La Flor de Nochebuena).
Activities and Recipes for Christmas in Mexico
Along with watching videos, reading books, and doing our Christmas in Mexico worksheet, we also did some hands-on activities (our favorite part!).
Here are a few fun activities you could include in your unit study:
Create a Piñata Craft
Make your own mini piñata using a paper bag or balloon. Piñatas are a big part of Las Posadas celebrations.
Make Mexican Hot Chocolate
Warm, cinnamon-spiced Mexican hot chocolate is a delicious treat to make during your study.
Bake Buñuelos
These crispy, sugary treats are a traditional Mexican Christmas dessert and so fun for kids to help make.
Paper Bag Farolito/Lantern Craft
Decorate paper “farolitos,” similar to the lanterns used during Las Posadas processions.
Act Out Las Posadas
Have kids take turns being the “innkeepers” and the “travelers,” reenacting Mary and Joseph seeking shelter.
Christmas in Mexico Printable Worksheet
We have loved using cut-and-paste worksheets for our state studies and other Christmas Around the World units, so I made one for Mexico.
The printable is a 3-page document with two pages of objects to color, cut out, and glue to the main page.
After completing this unit, the kids will have one page filled with information about Christmas in Mexico, perfect for a journal or Christmas Around the World notebook.
The printable includes a variety of fun facts and images for kids to color. You can download the free PDF at the bottom of this page.
Christmas in Mexico Worksheet
I packed the worksheet with information kids (and adults!) would enjoy, giving a solid overview of Christmas in Mexico. Here’s what’s included:
Country and Flag
At the top of the worksheet is the outline of Mexico and the Mexican flag for kids to color, along with simple information about the country.
Mexico is in North America and has many Christmas traditions influenced by Spanish heritage as well as rich Indigenous culture.
How to Say Merry Christmas in Mexico
Below the flag area is a spot to glue the phrase “Feliz Navidad” how you say Merry Christmas in Spanish.
My kids always love learning phrases in other languages, so this vocabulary was a must-have.
Fun Facts About Christmas in Mexico
The next section has six different boxes for the “mini-books” from pages 2 and 3 of the printable. These share simple and fun facts about Christmas symbols and traditions in Mexico.
Weather in Mexico at Christmas
Weather varies across Mexico, but many regions enjoy mild or warm weather during December. Northern areas can be cooler, while southern areas remain warm.
Las Posadas
One of the most important Mexican Christmas traditions is Las Posadas, which takes place from December 16–24.
Each night, people reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter by singing, walking in a procession, and visiting different homes. The evening ends with food, piñatas, and celebration.
Nacimiento
Nacimiento is a tradition where a nativity scenes are set up as the focal point of Christmas.
Traditionally the scene is set up December 16 with baby Jesus added on the 24th and the 3 kings on January 5.
Santa Claus & Los Reyes Magos
Santa Claus is celebrated in Mexico, but many families also celebrate Three Kings’ Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) on January 6.
Children may receive gifts either from Santa on December 25 or from the Wise Men on January 6, or both!
Pinata
Christmas piñatas are special with their seven-pointed star shape. Each point in the seven-point star, represents one of the deadly sins – pride, envy, lust, gluttony, anger, greed and sloth.
Food
Bunuelos are a popular Christmas treat. Other Christmas foods in Mexico include tamales, turkey or menudo (beef stew). A popular drink is ponche navideño.
More Interesting Facts About Christmas in Mexico
Here are more details you can discuss as you learn about Mexican Christmas traditions:
- December 12 is Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, one of Mexico’s most important celebrations.
- Many families attend Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass) on Christmas Eve.
- On January 6, families eat Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread with a small figurine hidden inside.
- Poinsettias were introduced to the U.S. from Mexico and are a traditional Mexican Christmas flower.
Using the Printable Christmas in Mexico Worksheet
There’s no wrong way to use this printable. I let my kids choose the order of the six mini-topics.
Have kids color each picture, fold the rectangle to form a mini-book, and either write information inside or glue in the text included in the printable.
Once each book is finished, they glue it onto the first page.
Free Printable Christmas in Mexico Worksheet
Please keep this free printable worksheet for personal and classroom use only.