Cinco de Mayo Handprint Art – Free Printable Templates

Cinco de Mayo handprint art is a fun and easy way to celebrate the holiday with young kids while encouraging creativity and cultural learning.

I’ve put together six free printable templates that turn little hands into festive crafts like maracas, piñatas, cacti, and even the Mexican flag.

These simple art projects have been a favorite in our home, my son always looked forward to making something colorful and messy each year.

Whether you’re teaching about the holiday or just looking for something hands-on and meaningful, these free Cinco de Mayo worksheets are a great fit for classrooms and families alike.

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Cinco de Mayo Handprint Craft

These free handprint printables turn a simple paint activity into something kids can personalize and talk about. Each page uses a handprint in a different way, so children can focus on painting, placing their print carefully, and adding extra details once it dries.

This works especially well when you want a quick holiday craft that also opens the door to a short discussion about the symbols and celebrations connected to Cinco de Mayo.

Supplies Needed

• Cardstock – Helps the artwork hold up and prevents paint from bleeding through.
• Washable paints – Any brand works; we stick with our go-to non-toxic set.
• Paintbrush – For applying paint to little hands.
• Paper plates or palettes – Useful for separating colors and keeping things tidy.
• Wipes – Trust me, you’ll want these close by for cleanup!

Each design fills a full page. Print all six, and you’re ready to go.

Want something extra? We also have free Cinco de Mayo color by number worksheets to extend the fun.

How to Use

Print the page you want to use, set out washable paint, and keep wipes or a damp paper towel nearby before kids begin.

I’ve found it works best to paint the hand with a brush or sponge instead of pressing it into a plate of paint, because you get a clearer print and much less mess. Let the handprint dry fully before adding the extra details so the colors stay crisp and don’t smear.

Maracas

This one’s simple and fun for all ages. Paint your child’s fingers with a mix of festive colors, we like using green, orange, and red. Press the painted hand down onto the cardstock just above the maracas handle on the template.

Once dry, kids can use crayons or markers to decorate the rest of the design. Shake those maracas and let the celebration begin!

Pinata

For a colorful piñata, dip your child’s hand in bright paints like orange, yellow, and blue. Press the handprint onto the template with the fingers pointing down to create the layered fringe effect.

You can repeat with different colors to add more texture. After it dries, add extra designs with markers to finish it off.

Cactus

Use green paint (or let your child pick their favorite shade) and coat the palm and fingers. Press the hand toward the top of the page, fingers up, to form the cactus shape.

When dry, decorate with flowers, a sombrero, or even a tiny mustache for fun!

Girl Dancing

Paint your child’s hand in a color of their choice, we used red, and press it onto the lower part of the dancer’s dress outline.

Do a second print if you want a fuller skirt. After it dries, use markers to add details to the dress or face, or even draw music notes in the background.

Mexico Flag

Grab red and green paint for this one. Start with a green handprint on the left and a red one on the right, fingers outward.

Repeat if needed to make the colors pop. Use markers to add the white center stripe or draw in a simple emblem.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Paint the hand green and press it onto both sides of the large cactus outline. Decorate with little flowers, googly eyes, or a smiling face to personalize it. A fun and festive way to wrap up your set!

More Cinco de Mayo Activities

Looking to add even more creativity to your celebration? These extra printables are a fun and simple way to keep kids engaged while learning about the holiday:

• Cinco de Mayo bookmarks to color – A quick, low-mess craft that lets kids personalize their own festive bookmark.
• Cinco de Mayo poem printables – These themed templates are a great prompt to get kids writing original poems this May.
• Cinco de Mayo word scramble – We regularly use this in our homeschool routine as a light, educational brain teaser.
• Cinco de Mayo word search – A classic way to boost vocabulary and keep kids entertained during downtime.
• Cinco de Mayo coloring sheets – Simple pages that combine creativity with cultural themes, perfect for younger children.

These activities pair well with the handprint art or can be used on their own for a quick, themed learning break.

Cinco de Mayo Books for Kids

Books are a great way to bring the spirit of Cinco de Mayo to life for children. These kid-friendly titles introduce fun stories, colorful traditions, and the cultural significance of the holiday in an age-appropriate way.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Cinco de Mayo (Holidays in Rhythm and Rhyme) – A light, rhyming introduction that’s great for younger kids who are just getting familiar with the holiday.
• Chicks and Salsa – Farm animals sneak into the kitchen to make their own Mexican feast, and it always gets a laugh here. My son loved spotting all the food in the illustrations when he was younger.
• Cinco De Mouse-O! – A curious little mouse joins in a lively neighborhood celebration, with plenty of festive details kids tend to notice.

Each one adds something a little different, and they pair nicely with simple themed activities or a quick printable to keep things going.

Ready to Print? Grab Your Free Cinco de Mayo Handprint Templates Here!

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Last Updated on 15 April 2026 by Clare Brown