The Badge Archive

Holiday – Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo offers an opportunity for scouts to explore Mexican culture in a lively, creative, and educational way! With age-appropriate activities, your troop can enjoy memorable experiences that foster cultural appreciation.

Elementary Scouts: Hands-On Fun and Exploration

For younger scouts, focus on simple, interactive activities that engage their creativity and curiosity:

  • Crafting Adventures: Create papel picado (colorful paper banners), mini piñatas, or Mexican flag art using tissue paper. These crafts are fun and help develop fine motor skills.
  • Musical Play: Introduce mariachi music and teach a basic Mexican folk dance. Scouts can make maracas from recycled materials to join the rhythm.
  • Interactive Storytime: Share the story of Cinco de Mayo through books or a dynamic storytelling session with props.
  • Snack-Making Fun: Let scouts make tortilla chips with guacamole or decorate cookies inspired by Mexican themes.
  • Playful Learning: Host a piñata activity or play Mexican-themed bingo for laughs and learning.
  • Language Fun: Teach them a few simple Spanish words, like “hola” and “fiesta,” through games or songs.
  • Cultural Fair: Create stations that showcase Mexican traditions, clothing, and holidays in a visual and accessible way.

Teen Scouts: Creative Challenges and Cultural Immersion

For older scouts, emphasize collaborative and skill-building activities that encourage them to explore Mexican culture in depth:

  • Cooking Challenge: Turn up the heat with a competition where teens prepare Mexican-inspired dishes like tacos or churros.
  • Research and Presentation: Have teens delve into topics like the Battle of Puebla or famous Mexican figures, and present their findings in creative ways like posters or mini skits.
  • DIY Crafts with Flair: Create advanced crafts, such as pottery painting inspired by Mexican designs or intricate papel picado.
  • Music and Dance Sessions: Learn more complex Mexican folk dances or enjoy a karaoke night featuring Spanish-language songs.
  • Movie Discussion Night: Watch a movie like “Coco” or “The Book of Life,” followed by a thought-provoking conversation on Mexican culture and traditions.
  • Community Service Project: Encourage giving back by making decorations or crafts for a local Cinco de Mayo celebration.
  • Trivia and Scavenger Hunt: Host a trivia contest with Mexican history and culture themes, or plan a scavenger hunt with clues tied to the day’s significance.

Bringing It All Together

By tailoring activities to the scouts’ age groups, you can ensure a celebration that’s both meaningful and fun for everyone involved. From crafting to community service, Cinco de Mayo becomes a way for your troop to connect with Mexican culture in a hands-on and memorable way!

Official GSUSA Badges

The Art and Cooking badges will be the easiest official GSUSA badges to theme for Cinco de Mayo.

Fun Patches

Patch Programs:

Make your own requirements! Possible Fun Patches:

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

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Tia Kennard