15 Cinco De Mayo Crafts that Anyone Can Make

Are you ready to bring some serious color and joy into your home? I absolutely love the festive season of Cinco de Mayo because it is the perfect excuse to get messy with glue, glitter, and all the bright colors of the rainbow.

Whether you are hosting a huge party or just want to decorate your living room, these projects are so simple that literally anyone can do them.

I know many of you are always looking for ways to spend less and maybe even make money on the side. If you love crafting as much as I do, you should definitely think about how these creative hobbies can turn into a profitable side hustle! Now, let us grab our scissors and get started on these 15 adorable DIYs.

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1. Papel Picado Banners

Nothing says fiesta quite like these traditional Mexican cut paper banners. They look incredibly intricate, but the secret is just a few clever folds. They are lightweight and perfect for hanging across a patio or a mantle to instantly brighten the space.

Materials Needed:

• Vibrant Tissue Paper
• Sharp Craft Scissors
• Baker's Twine
• Glue Stick

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fold a sheet of tissue paper into quarters or eighths.
2. Cut small triangles, hearts, or circles along the folded edges (just like making paper snowflakes).
3. Carefully unfold the paper to reveal your beautiful lace design.
4. Fold the top edge over a piece of twine and glue it down to create your banner string.

2. Tissue Paper Flowers

These big, bold blooms are a staple for any celebration. You can make them as large or as small as you like. I love mixing different shades of pink and orange to really make them pop against a green background or table runner.

Materials Needed:

• Multi-Color Tissue Paper Sheets
• Green Pipe Cleaners
• Craft Scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Stack 5 to 10 sheets of tissue paper and fold them together in an accordion style.
2. Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center of the folded stack to hold it tight.
3. Trim the ends of the paper into rounded or pointed petals using your scissors.
4. Gently pull each layer of tissue paper toward the center to fluff the flower into a full bloom.

3. Mini Donkey Piñatas

These are the absolute cutest party favors ever! Instead of one giant piñata, give each guest their own mini version filled with candy. They take a little more time to assemble, but the reaction from your friends makes it a total win for party planning success.

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard or Cereal Boxes
• Rainbow Crepe Paper Streamers
• Tacky Glue
• Masking Tape

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut your cardboard into two donkey silhouettes and a long strip for the sides.
2. Tape the pieces together to create a 3D shape, leaving a small hidden flap for the candy.
3. Cut fringe into your crepe paper streamers using your scissors.
4. Glue the fringed strips in layers starting from the bottom of the donkey and working your way up.
5. Add a little yarn for the tail and fill with treats!

4. Painted Cactus Rocks

If you are like me and struggle to keep real plants alive, these are for you! They look so real from a distance and make the perfect addition to a bookshelf or window sill. It is a great way to use rocks you find in your own backyard for free.

Materials Needed:

• Smooth River Stones
• Green and White Acrylic Paint
• Mini Terracotta Pots
• Fine Tip White Paint Pen

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Paint your stones in various shades of green and let them dry completely.
2. Use a white paint pen to draw small "V" shapes or tiny dots for the cactus spines.
3. Place a little sand or small pebbles inside your terracotta pots to act as a base.
4. Tuck your painted rocks into the pots to create your mini desert garden.

5. Luchador Masks

Lucha Libre is such a huge part of Mexican culture and these masks are a blast to create. Kids love wearing them and they make for some hilarious photo opportunities during your celebration. You can get as wild as you want with the colors!

Materials Needed:

• Heavy Cardstock
• Elastic String
• Glitter Markers
• Single Hole Punch

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Draw a large mask shape that fits your face and cut it out of the cardstock.
2. Carefully cut out holes for the eyes and the mouth.
3. Use bright markers or scrap paper to create bold, symmetrical designs on the front.
4. Punch holes on the sides and tie the elastic string to keep the mask in place.

6. Mexican Worry Dolls

According to legend, you tell your worries to these little dolls before bed and place them under your pillow. They are so tiny and sweet. I love using leftover scraps of yarn and fabric from other projects to dress them up in vibrant outfits.

Materials Needed:

• Wooden Clothespins
• Colorful Embroidery Floss
• Scrap Fabric
• Black Fine Liner Pen

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Draw a tiny face on the top of your clothespin using the fine liner.
2. Wrap the body of the pin with different colors of embroidery floss to create colorful clothes.
3. Glue small pieces of fabric for tiny hats or shawls to give them personality.
4. Add a little yarn for hair and your tiny friend is ready to listen to your secrets.

7. Chili and Lime Garland

This garland looks so fresh and festive hanging in a kitchen or dining area. It uses felt, so it is durable and can be pulled out year after year (saving you money on new decorations). The bright red chilies and green lime slices are such a classic combo.

Materials Needed:

• Red, Green, and White Felt Sheets
• Embroidery Needle and Thread
• Fabric Glue
• Jute Twine

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut chili shapes out of red felt and lime circles out of green felt.
2. Glue white felt pith and segments onto your lime circles to make them look real.
3. Stitch a small green stem onto each chili pepper using your needle.
4. String the felt pieces onto your twine using a needle to create the garland.

8. Marigold Wreath

Marigolds are such an iconic flower in Mexican tradition. This wreath is a beautiful way to welcome guests at your front door. It is sunny, bright, and smells like spring (even if you use high-quality faux flowers for longevity).

Materials Needed:

• Grapevine Wreath Form
• Faux Marigolds
• Hot Glue Gun
• Serape Style Ribbon

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Trim the stems off your faux marigolds so the flower heads are flat.
2. Hot glue the flowers onto the wreath form until it is completely covered in orange.
3. Tie a large bow using your colorful serape ribbon.
4. Attach the bow to the bottom of the wreath for a perfectly festive finish.

9. Pom Pom Tassels

I am obsessed with these tassels! You can hang them from doorknobs, backpacks, or even turn them into a fun garland. They add a wonderful texture to your decorations and are very satisfying to make during a movie night.

Materials Needed:

• Bright Acrylic Yarn
• Pom-Pom Maker Tool
• Large Wooden Beads
• Tapestry Needle

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Wrap yarn around your pom-pom maker and cut to create a fluffy ball.
2. Create a tassel by wrapping yarn around a piece of cardboard and tying off the top.
3. String a few wooden beads onto a long piece of yarn using your needle.
4. Tie the pom-pom and tassel together to finish your colorful charm.

10. Paper Plate Sombreros

If you are looking for a quick craft for a group of kids, this is the winner. It uses basic kitchen supplies and lets everyone's personality shine through. My favorites are the ones covered in giant pom-poms and glitter paint!

Materials Needed:

• Paper Plates
• Plastic Party Cups
• Colorful Pom-Poms
• Bright Washable Paints

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Paint the bottom of your paper plate and the outside of your plastic cup.
2. Once dry, glue the cup upside down in the center of the plate (this is the hat top).
3. Decorate the brim of the hat with pom-poms and fun paint patterns.
4. Add a ribbon chin strap if you want to wear it during the fiesta!

11. Homemade Maracas

You probably have everything you need for these in your pantry right now. They are the perfect instrument for a mini parade around the house. They make a great sound and are super light for little hands to shake.

Materials Needed:

• Plastic Easter Eggs
• Plastic Spoons
• Colorful Washi Tape
• Dry Rice or Beans

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill a plastic egg halfway with dry rice and snap it shut tightly.
2. Place the egg between the heads of two plastic spoons (they should cradle it).
3. Wrap washi tape around the spoons and the egg to secure them together.
4. Tape the handles of the spoons together to create your shaker handle.

12. Woven Friendship Bracelets

Woven bracelets are a beautiful way to celebrate the vibrant textile traditions of Mexico. They take a bit of patience, but they are a great way to relax. You can use the colors of the Mexican flag (red, white, and green) for a classic look.

Materials Needed:

• Embroidery Floss Pack
• Safety Pins
• Clipboard

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut several lengths of floss and tie them in a knot at the top.
2. Secure the knot to your clipboard or a safety pin on your jeans.
3. Use a simple forward-knot technique to create your pattern.
4. Tie the ends off when you reach your desired bracelet length.

13. Cardboard Guitars

Every fiesta needs some music! These cardboard guitars are a fantastic way to upcycle old boxes. They might not play a perfect C-major, but they look amazing and provide hours of imaginative play for the little ones.

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard Shipping Boxes
• Large Rubber Bands
• Paper Towel Rolls
• Duct Tape

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut a large guitar body shape out of your cardboard box.
2. Cut a circular hole in the center for the sound hole.
3. Tape a paper towel roll to the top to act as the neck of the guitar.
4. Stretch rubber bands across the sound hole and secure them with tape to be your strings.

14. Ojo de Dios (God’s Eye)

This traditional spiritual symbol is made by weaving yarn around wooden sticks. It is very meditative to make and the results are stunningly geometric. Use as many colors as you can to make a really bold statement piece.

Materials Needed:

• Popsicle Sticks
• Multi-Color Yarn
• Craft Glue

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Glue two popsicle sticks together in the shape of a cross.
2. Tie your first color of yarn to the center of the cross.
3. Weave the yarn over and around each stick in a circular pattern.
4. Switch colors by tying a new piece of yarn to the end of the old one and keep weaving.

15. Star Piñata

While the donkey is classic, the seven-pointed star is a beautiful and meaningful traditional shape. It looks like a piece of art hanging from the ceiling. Use metallic paper to make it really sparkle under the party lights at your next event.

Materials Needed:

• Large Beach Ball or Balloon
• Newspaper
• Metallic Cardstock
• Flour (for paper mache paste)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Apply several layers of paper mache (newspaper dipped in flour/water paste) to your balloon and let it dry for 24 hours.
2. Roll metallic cardstock into cones and glue them onto the round base to make the star points.
3. Cover the whole thing with colorful tissue paper fringe to hide the newspaper.
4. Pop the balloon inside and fill the hollow star with your favorite Mexican candies.

I hope these projects inspired you to start your own crafting session! There is nothing like a little DIY to make a holiday feel truly special. If you want to keep that creative energy going and find even more ways to grow your income with fun projects, head over to hustlestrikers.com for all my best tips. Happy crafting, friend!