19 Fun and Cultural Hispanic Heritage Month Activities

Foreign film fest, anyone?

19 Hispanic Heritage Month Activities

Taco Mexican tex med food lifestyles with friends eating dinner

Every year in the United States, Sept. 15 marks the beginning of a special celebration: Hispanic Heritage Month. Continuing through Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month was launched to honor the contributions of the thousands of amazing Hispanic Americans who have helped shape our country.

As you learn more about it, here are 19 great ways to celebrate, appreciate and support Hispanic Americans with your family.

Recreate a Classic Painting or Traditional Art

An important part of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is appreciating the myriad ways in which Hispanic artists have contributed to international culture. The work of Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso can be found in art galleries around the world, and they’re just a few of the influential Hispanic artists who made their mark on history.

Turn an art history lesson into a fun project by choosing an artist to learn about and recreating your favorite example of their work. Follow a simple tutorial like this one, or turn it into a sketch-and-sip, stay-at-home date night.

Try it for yourself:Arteza Alcohol Art Markers, Set of 72 Colors, $53.99

Walk a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes

Reading Hispanic literature is one of the best ways to expand your knowledge and appreciation of Hispanic culture and history. Needless to say, Hispanic authors come from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, but these Kindle bestsellers are some of the most-read biographies to get you started:

Make Sure to Include Younger Readers in the Fun

Learning about their own heritage and that of others is just as important to a child's education as math and science. These are a just a few of the many wonderful children's books by Hispanic authors:

Take a Traditional Dance Class

Latin couple dancing tango on city street

Love to dance the night away? Take a dance class specializing in traditionally Hispanic choreography! Dancing is not only a terrific way to get some exercise into your daily routine, but it's also great for learning about culture, not to mention it’s a perfect date night idea.

Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or intermediate, taking a class in cumbia, merengue, rumba or even flamenco, allows you to view cultures from a physical perspective, while also acquiring a new skill. There are easy dance classes to try out on YouTube, but if you invest in an in-person class, consider picking up the right footwear.

A good pair for beginners: RoseMoli Women's Latin Dance Shoes, $29.98

Make a Hispanic Artist Playlist

There is so much talent among Hispanic musicians, spanning a huge variety of genres. If you’re a music lover, curating a playlist for yourself is a great way to expand your taste.

Even if you’re not one for lounging around with some quality headphones, listening during a workout, studying session or car ride home works just as well. Spotify also has a Latinx Heritage Month collection already prepared.

Take a Day Trip to a Latino Museum

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a work of art is also worth a thousand insights into a culture. There are quite a few museums around the U.S. that are either centered around Hispanic and Latino artists or have current exhibits running in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

As you explore the museums, really take in the different concepts and messages these artists conveyed through their work. In addition, many museums offer recorded roundtables or educational videos about certain topics, which in this case focus on subjects within Hispanic and Latino culture. If there isn't a museum near you, you can also bring the art to your home by buying a print. We especially like these ones that cost less than $25:

Cook a Traditional Hispanic Dish

Close-up of a lime being squeezed in a mexican taco, with traditional colorful background

Bring the flavors of Hispanic culture’s vast culinary history straight to your table by cooking up a delicious traditional dish. One of the simplest and most refreshing things to make are paletas, which are Mexican popsicles, containing water, sugar, fruit and lime juice. You can even add some chili and chocolate if you want!

If you'd prefer to take the easy route, there are tons of delicious foods and beverages made by Hispanic-owned brands:

Try Playing Loteria or Dominos

Mexican Family Playing A Game after Dinner

This tile game is a cherished activity for the whole family. Popular in Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, dominos and Loteria are simple to set up and enjoy for hours on end. All you need is a cleared table and a box of dominos.

Loteria in English translates to lottery, which is basically just a different version of bingo, so you won’t be spending much time on instructions. Here are some sets to get you started:

Make Your Own Piñata or Paint Maracas

Craft projects are a fun and easy way to celebrate international culture with the whole family. Learn about how maracas were first made, and then decorate a set. You could also learn about the history of piñatas and try making one yourself in your favorite colors, using these craft kits:

Give Guatemalan Worry Dolls to Your Friends and Family

Typical Guatemalan dolls colorful Worry Dolls in the market

In Guatemala, some children whisper their worries to little, handmade dolls and put them under their pillow before they go to sleep. According to legend, by morning, the dolls have blessed them with enough wisdom to solve their problems.

We could all use less anxiety, so why not give it a go?

Watch a Foreign Film

Part of the reason movies are so entertaining is that they allow us to escape our lives and step through a doorway into someone else's. The stories and experiences of characters in foreign films, even fictional ones, can help you learn a lot about international culture.

These are a few great movies centered around Hispanic or Latinx characters, ordered from most to least family-friendly:

Brush Up on Your Spanish

Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world, with 534 million Spanish speakers worldwide. In a melting-pot country like the U.S., speaking Spanish is a huge asset.

Learning it fluently is fantastic, but even just knowing a few simple phrases can make it easier to connect and communicate with those around you.

Learn About Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos, which translates to Day of the Dead, sounds macabre at first. In reality, it's quite the opposite. The Nov. 1 holiday is all about remembering and reconnecting with beloved family members who have passed on.

It's a meaningful tradition celebrated in several Latin countries, particularly Mexico, most widely recognized by the stunning face paint celebrators often wear. As a family, learn about the background of the holiday and then try celebrating it respectfully. Whatever you do, don't dress up in sugar skull makeup for Halloween. They're two completely different holidays. Some great books about Day of the Dead for kids include:

Decorate!

Need some new furniture or home decor? Supporting Hispanic and Latinx businesses (not just once, but all the time!) is an easy way to appreciate the culture and make your home more beautiful in the process. Personal taste varies, of course, but there are tons of options to choose from:

Have a Spa Day With Products Created by Hispanic Entrepreneurs

Discovering new brands and pampering your skin at the same time? Yes, please! We recommend checking these out for the ultimate at-home spa day:

Revamp the Contents of Your Makeup Bag

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you're really not supposed to use the same eyeshadow palette for years. Most makeup should only be used for a year or two after opening it, and mascara and eyeliner should be replaced every few months.

When you restock your makeup drawer, try some beauty products from some of these awesome Hispanic or Latinx brands:

Expand Your Wardrobe

There are so many wonderful Latinx designers creating gorgeous products, but these are a few of our favorites:

Get Ready for the Holidays

It's never too early to start Christmas shopping, right? All of these items are made by Hispanic brands. Some are even made by hand!

Celebrate and Appreciate as a Family

Holiday Cinco de mayo Mexican. Decoration for the festival.

At the end of the day, appreciating Hispanic heritage isn't a solo activity. Culture transcends generations, so share the experience with the whole family.

Watch the below video for a snapshot of what Hispanic Heritage Month is all about.