Hispanic Heritage Month Activities and Free Resources

Every year from September 15 to October 15, the United States observes National Hispanic Heritage Month, a country-wide celebration of the cultures, traditions, accomplishments, and contributions of Hispanic Americans.

Hispanic Heritage Month countries include the following, as their independence day falls on September 15:

• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Nicaragua

Additionally, Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence during the month of September.

Today, the richness of Hispanic culture is felt all around us. Remember, the term “Hispanic” refers to a person of Spanish, Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, Caribbean, or any other Spanish culture of origin regardless of race. There are many people from many countries who trace their heritage back to Hispanic cultures, and many different traditions and customs that we celebrate here in America as a result.

Discover ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in your classroom with a free topical resource packet from Edmentum. In this packet, you’ll find fact sheets, critical thinking questions, and activities to help your class explore the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month, discuss different cultural traditions, and learn more about Spanish-speaking countries.

In addition to our free printable classroom resources, we’ve put together a list of useful links that your class can use to learn more about the people, history, and heritage of Hispanic Americans.

5 Famous Latinos: Role Models for Hispanic Heritage Month

Read the biographies of five famous Latinos, plus access resources to learn about their contributions of American society. You’ll find the extraordinary stories of an astronaut, a teacher, an author, an athlete, and a scientist!

15 Children’s Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

These Hispanic Heritage Month books contain 15 children’s stories that include both fiction and nonfiction titles. Explore books by authors like Julia Alvarez, Zetta Elliot, and Paolo Bacigalupi!

Hispanic Heritage Month Crafts

Celebrate the rich diversity and heritage of several Spanish-speaking countries by getting hands-on and creating Hispanic Heritage Month decorations from Central and Latin America. You’ll find ideas for crafts from Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Chile.

5 Traditional Hispanic Games

What better way to learn about Hispanic culture than to play games? These five traditional games are easy to learn, simple to play, and perfect for children of all ages!

More Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 

Here are some additional engaging activities and ideas to deepen understanding and appreciation of Hispanic heritage in your classroom and community. 

1. Cultural Exchange Days 

Organize a Cultural Exchange Day where students can share aspects of their own heritage or learn about the heritage of their classmates. This can include: 

• Food Sharing: Students bring dishes that represent their culture or a Hispanic culture they’ve studied. 
• Traditional Dress: Encourage students to wear traditional clothing from their heritage or from a Hispanic country. 

2. Film Screening and Discussion 

Host a film screening featuring movies or documentaries that highlight Hispanic culture, history, or significant figures. After the screening, facilitate a discussion to reflect on the themes and messages presented. Suggested films include: 

• "Coco" (animated film exploring Mexican traditions) 
• "Selena" (biographical film about the life of Selena Quintanilla) 
• "The Book of Life" (celebrating Día de los Muertos) 

3. Guest Speakers and Workshops 

Invite local Hispanic community members or experts to speak to students about their experiences and contributions. Workshops can include: 

• Art Workshops: Local artists can teach students about traditional Hispanic art forms, such as mural painting or textile weaving. 
• Cultural Storytelling: Invite storytellers to share folklore and legends from various Hispanic cultures. 

To wrap up our exploration of Hispanic Heritage Month activities, we invite you to delve deeper into fostering global awareness and international mindedness in education. For more insights on nurturing empathy, tolerance, and inclusivity among students, check out our article: "Broadening Global Awareness and Interconnectivity to Support International Mindedness and Peace Through Education."

This post was orginally published in September 2018 and has been updated.