Traditions

Traditional Mexican Fiesta Party Games

Looking for a traditional Mexican game? Mexico has a rich culture and in it there are many traditional games played by children and adults throughout the country. These traditional Mexican games are not only tremendously fun, but they are also educational and a great way to spend time with family and friends.

Here’s our list of traditional Mexican games, perfect for having a party full of fun, laughter and more!

Mexican Loteria (Bingo)

Is a fun game of chance, which has typical images that are related to the tradition of the Mexico.

To play the “Mexican lottery”, you need:

  • The 54 cards that contain special figures.
  • The cards to mark.
  • Seeds, pebbles, or something of similar size to fill the cardboard.

The game has a particular character, who is called a “screamer”, who is in charge of taking the 54 figures at random and saying them out loud.

The rules for this game are similar to those of bingo, you just have to mark each figure that is named on your card.

The objective of the game is to fill the table or cardboard that the player chooses before starting a game, in which he must complete a well-known pattern, forming diagonals or four in the same row, in Mexico, the most common is whoever fills first all the cardboard

The first of the players to complete the pattern and shout Loteria! wins, this indicates to the other children that the game has finished.

Hop Scotch (Avioncito)

This game is also known as rayuela in some other places. It is a favorite for young children. It’s about learning to keep your balance.

for the game “avioncito” we are going to need:

  • Chalk
  • A backyard
  • A rock, token, cloth, or something small to throw.

We are going to draw a small plane on the ground from squares. These are going to be numbered from 1 to 10 as seen in the image.

You will place yourself in front of number one and you will throw either the knotted rag, the token or the stone on one of the little plane’s squares, it doesn’t matter which one it is. (If you want to level up, you must throw it to number 1 and then to 2 and so on.) You can go making your own rules, such as if it does not land at the first time in the desired square, the turn is lost.

Once it lands on a square you will begin to jump with one foot, stepping on the squares and you will have to avoid stepping on the one with the pebble, if you step on it or lower the other foot, you lose. If you succeed, you must return in the same way, but when you pass by right there you must pick up your stone without losing your balance. If you succeed, you win that game, the idea is to accumulate the number of times it was achieved and see who has the highest number. that will be the winner

Freeze tag (Congelados)

It is one of the most popular recreational activities that take place in schoolyards, parks and children’s parties, because the number of children who can participate is numerous.

The best thing about this game is there no items are needed and the rules are very easy, which makes it more fun for all children! However, it is better to have a wide space to run!

The game is all about running out so that no one from the other team touches you. In the event that this is the case, you are not directly disqualified, you are simply delighted, that is, you cannot move from the place where they left you. The only way to get back into the game is for one of your teammates to touch you and say “disenchanted”, so you can run again, the idea is to save your teammates in the same way. The game is over or they lose if the time they gave for that round runs out or until everyone on the team is delighted. In some variants a safety zone can be included, that is, an end where the players can avoid being touched, but to make it more dynamic they can establish that they do not remain for very long times ( 30 sec or 1 min).

Cartoons (Caricaturas presenta).

One of the best party games is the also known Caricachupas.

Caricachupas or Caricaturas present is one of the funniest and most famous games in the world. One of the points in favor of this game is that it is not necessary to use cards, boards, or such things, since your retention capacity, ingenuity, and knowledge will save you.

This game is often played to the following song:

Cartoons (everyone claps twice)

Introduce (everyone claps twice)

Names of (everyone claps twice)

They name the category. For example: Fruits (everyone claps twice)

Apple (everyone claps twice)

Peach (everyone claps twice)

And so on until someone repeats or makes a mistake.

  • La categoría puede ser sobre cualquier cosa: marcas de zapatos, automóviles, teléfonos móviles, frutas, deportes, países, etc.
  • Cada jugador deberá mencionar una palabra sobre la categoría.
  • El jugador que se equivoque, repita o se quede sin palabras al cabo de unos segundos queda descalificado.

The best thing about this game is that you can add whatever rules you want and play it at any party!

Pluck little onions. (Arranca cebollitas)

The “arranca cebollitas” is part of the best traditional Mexican games for older children and adults, since it tests the physical strength of all those who participate in the activity.

In the game of “pluck the onions” there is the farmer, a child who offers himself or is chosen from the group; there are also the onions, which are ready to be sold.

The buyer must pluck the onions that he buys, for this he will have to try with all his might until one of the vegetables falls out of its place in the row.

The rules of the game are:

  • The onions should be attached to a tree, pillar, or something similar, so that they cannot be uprooted.
  • The way to pluck the onions is by taking the waist and pulling back, so that it is released from the tree.
  • Each plucked onion is left in a place indicated by the farmers.
  • After having plucked all the onions, they switch roles.
  • The group that does the job in less time wins.
  • Be careful with smaller girls and boys so as not to hurt them.

Broken Phone (Telefono Descompuesto)

The “broken phone” game is an activity that can be done sitting on a bench or around a table, it is ideal for closed spaces or rainy days when you have to stay at home to play.

  • Determine how many participants will play
  • Choose the participant who will issue the message
  • Make a line or circle so that the message is transmitted
  • The player chosen to deliver the message will think about it individually
  • The player emits the message to the first of the row or circle to start the game
  • The message is transmitted from one person’s ear to another
  • The message reaches the last participant
  • The last player calls out the message they received
  • The final message is compared with the initial one to see if it was broken or not.

It can be played in teams, the team that has passed the message correctly until the end will win.

Hot potato (Papa Caliente)

Everyone has played “Papa caliente” at least once in their lives. It is an old game, but one that is always remembered.

You will need:

  • A small bean bag, or a raw potato, or a ball or ball-shaped stuffed sock
  • Imagination

Arrange all the players in a circle. If there are only two players, ask them to sit facing each other. Pass the bean bag (or raw potato, or ball) around the circle (or back and forth) pretending it’s a hot potato with smoke coming out of it. Play music while this is happening. When the music stops, the person holding the bean bag is out of the game. The last person in the circle is the winner.

Recipes

5 Ideas for Cinco de Mayo desserts.

We’ve searched the web for some great Mexican desserts that are easy and delicious! From creamy lemon pie to nutty, coconut candies, you’ll be sure to find one you cannot wait to make. We’ve translated these recipes from Spanish to English for you and added videos to make it easier for you to replicate. This 5 de Mayo, try one or all of the 5 these yummy desserts!

  1. CARLOTA OR LEMON DESSERT

Receta https://www.pizcadesabor.com/carlota-o-postre-de-limon/

INGREDIENTS

  1. -1 1/2 packages of Marías biscuits (170 gr each package)
  2. -1 can evaporated milk 342 ml
  3. -1 can condensed milk 384 gr
  4. -1/2 cup lemon juice without seeds

Instructions:

  1. We are going to use a square mold of approximately 8×8 inches, it depends on how tall you want your dessert. 
  2. Blend the condensed milk and evaporated milk, while they are mixing add the lemon juice little by little until the mixture thickens. 
  3. Now, we are going to add layer by layer in the mold. The first layer is a little bit of the mixture, on top of it a layer of cookies, then a little more of the mixture and so on until the mixture and the cookies are finished. 
  4. We refrigerate for approximately 6 hours or freeze for 2 hours and that’s it!
  5. You can decorate with lemon, cookie pieces and serve with condensed milk or caramel

2. Michoacan style fruit gaspacho  

It can be confused with the traditional gazpacho (with z) from Spain, but gaspacho (with s) is a traditional dish from Michoacan Mexico made with fruit. It can be found on the streets of Morelia, Mich.

Ingredients

  1. -1 cup Pineapple cut into cubes
  2. -1 cup Mango cut into cubes
  3. -1 cup Jicama cut into cubes
  4. -1 1/2 cup Fresh orange juice 
  5. -1 cup  Cotija cheese (optional)
  6. – Salt
  7. – Chili powder

1 cup of pineapple is about ¼ of a regular-sized pineapple, 1 cup of mango is equal to one mango, and 1 cup of jicama is about ½ of a medium-sized jicama. I am giving you this information to help you buy the fruit.

Instructions:

  1. Mix the pineapple, mango, and jicama in a large bowl. 
  2. Serve all the orange juice until it covers all the fruit. 
  3. Cover them and place them in the fridge to cool. 
  4. You can prepare this simple recipe to accompany with chamoy sauce and/or Polvo Miguelito Casero.

3. Raspados Mexicanos 

this particular snack is also kid-friendly and perfect to serve at parties!

Ingredients:

  1. -1 cup of sugar
  2. -1 cup of water
  3. -1 envelope (0.14 oz) of powdered fruit mix to make refreshing drinks in your favorite flavor.
  4. -4 – 6 cups of crushed ice
  5. -Condensed milk, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Pour the water and sugar into a small saucepan over medium heat; mix until combined. Cook until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is slightly thick, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from the fire and let cool.
  2. Add the powdered drink mix packet to the previously made mix
  3. Fill a few glasses halfway with crushed ice. Bathe the ice with the syrup. Add more crushed ice until the glass is completely covered. Bathe the ice with more syrup. 
  4. Drizzle with condensed milk to taste.
  5. And that’s it! enjoy your raspado!

Note: They can be made with natural fruit. If you choose a fruit (strawberry, tamarind, red fruits, etc.), it is chopped or pureed, then combined with sugar and water, and then boiled until thick to create a flavorful syrup.

4. Mexican Mangonada

Made with mangoes and chamoy sauce, mangonadas are a spicy frozen drink straight from the streets of Mexico. You can drink them or eat them with a spoon – either way they are equally delicious.

Ingredients:

  1. -1/2 taza de agua
  2.  -2 tazas de mangos picados y congelados (o 2 tazas de mango fresco y 1 taza de hielos)
  3.  -2 cucharadas de polvo para bebida sabor limonada
  4. – 1 taza de cubitos de hielo
  5. – ¼ cup of sugar
  6.  -1/4 taza de salsa de chamoy

tip: chamoy sauce: Similar to hot sauce, chamoy sauce is a bottled sauce found in most Hispanic supermarkets. It’s great with fruit, chips, or nuts.

Instructions:

  1. Blend the first 3 ingredients in a blender until smooth.
  2. Add ice cubes; blend on high speed until thick.
  3. Spoon chamoy sauce into 2 glasses; top with mango mixture.
  4. Serve the drink immediately.

5. Coconut candies  

These nutty, caramelized treats are addictively chewy and delicious!

Ingredients:

  1. -5 cups of shredded coconut
  2. -1 cup of Dulce de leche
  3. -Macadamia nuts
  4. *Dulce de leche is basically milk and sugar cooked together until thick and caramelized. A can of ready to use dulce de Leche can be found in the baking aisle. But homemade dulce de leche is quite easy to make too!

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Spray an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

3. In a medium bowl mix coconut, macadamia nuts and dulce de leche until well combined. The mixture is a little on a drier side, but don’t be tempted to add too much dulce de leche.

4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Moisten your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan.

  1. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Chill for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

*If you don’t like macadamia nuts, you can substitute chopped almonds or omit nuts altogether.

This wraps our list of Mexican desserts perfect Cinco de Mayo!

How to

How to make a mini Mexican burro piñata

(For our video tutorial, scroll to the bottom of the page.)

Step 1:

Gather the items needed to make your burro piñata. You’ll need the following materials:

  • Cardboard
  • Colorful tissue paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • String (optional)
  • Candy (optional)

Step 2:

Use template located at the bottom of this page or freehand draw two mini burro shapes onto your piece of carboard using a marker. Your mini burro should measure approximately 12×16 cm (5×6 inches) Next, cut out each of your shapes.

Step 3:

Now cut a 50 cm (20 inch) strip of cardboard. This will serve as the spine or connecting piece for the two burro shapes you cut out. Tear the strip in half, see video below to see how. Roll it into spirals with your fingers to make the cardboard more pliable.

Step 4:

Now comes the fun part, assemble your mini burro by gluing the long strip of cardboard to one side of the burro, let dry for 15 minutes. Then glue the other side. Let dry for another 15 minutes.

Step 5:

Cut 30 cm (12 inch) long strips of colorful tissue paper and 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide. You’ll need about 30 strips.

Step 6:

Using scissors cut into one side of your tissue paper about 3/4ths in to make the fringe. Make sure not to cut all the way through your tissue paper strip.

Step 7: 

Time to decorate! Carefully, glue your fringed strips of tissue paper to the body of your piñata alternating colors to make it bright and colorful.

Voila! 

Your mini Mexican burro piñata is complete!

Optional: you can use a needle and ribbon to add a loop at the top if you plan to hang your mini piñata. Additionally, You can use a Exacto knife or sharp scissors to cut a small hole at the neck of the piñata to add candy or a special surprise!

Template

Video: How to make a Mini Mexican piñata: