Cinco de Mayo for Kids; Make the Best Easy Tacos
My plan this year is to embrace every festive occasion to give the grandkids a wider view of the world and make this the most celebratory year, ever. So we’re having Cinco de Mayo for the grandkids.
Cinco de Mayo literally, “May 5” in Spanish, celebrates the Mexican victory at Puebla, where an outnumbered Mexican force defeated French troops. Here’s a short video to explain Cinco de Mayo to kids.
We’ll Make Tacos for Cinco de Mayo
What kid doesn’t like tacos? My favorite super-easy, super-delicious recipe comes from my friend, Chef Andrew Hunter, one of the country’s leading research and development chefs. He developed this recipe as an homage to Tito’s, a popular Southern California taco stand. This recipe is high on our Friday night family dinner rotation.
Old School Tacos (like Tito makes)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 crispy corn taco shells
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Grated Cheddar cheese
- Sliced tomatoes
- Salsa
In a medium bowl, combine chili and garlic powders, cumin, salt, smoked paprika, and cayenne; stir to combine.
In a cast iron or nonstick skillet, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart into crumbles as it browns. When the meat is cooked, drain off any fat and stir in spice mixture until well combined.
Spoon an equal amount into each taco shell and serve on a platter with bowls of lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and salsa. Let everyone make their own.
Makes 8 tacos.
Recipe from Chef Andrew Hunter, slightly adapted.
Notes:
- It’s easy to adjust the spiciness if the kids aren’t used to spicy food. Season with half the spice mixture, taste, and add more, as needed. I use the whole amount.
- If kids don’t like heat, omit the cayenne. Set aside enough seasoned meat for the kids’ portion, then add back some cayenne for adults.
- Make-your-own tacos is an interactive meal; it enables kids to construct tacos to their taste, while eliminating assembly time for the family cook.
- You can add other fixings, like avocado cubes, radish slices, or cilantro leaves.
The Rest of the Cinco de Mayo Dinner
Tacos are pretty much a one-dish meal, and the very simplicity of this recipe invites you to stop right here and call it dinner. But, if you’d like a little fancier family party, Mexican food authority Chef Rick Bayless has a number of side dish recipes on his website, including Classic Mexican White Rice and Mexican Red Rice.
For dessert, make a Tres Leches Cake; flan; or for the kids, Mexican ice pops called paletas (scroll to the end of the Camp Grandma post for the recipe).
More Ways to a Festive Cinco de Mayo for Kids
Play mariachi music to create a lively, upbeat mood at dinner. Use colorful dinner plates or napkins, or a brightly striped table runner if you have them. Google Mexican party decorations for more ideas and resources.
To further enhance your Cinco de Mayo celebration, decorate your table with Mexican paper flowers, a craft project even a six-year-old can do.
And have kids make cascarones, confetti eggs, to shower confetti over each other. Not just for Easter, these eggs are fun for any fiesta.
Keeping Track of the Holidays
So far, we made Valentine cards and had a Valentine’s Day dinner, with little presents for everyone. We had a St. Patrick’s Day dinner and we baked Irish Soda Bread. We made paper lanterns for the Lunar New Year and sat down to a Chinese takeout feast. And then we made egg dolls and had an after-school Easter party.
Let’s keep the celebrations going!
Sign Up
Don’t forget to sign up for my email newsletter. Every Wednesday, I’ll give you a new idea for an activity or insight to nurture the little ones in your life.