Today we are talking about five ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with kids across the East Valley! Our team found the best age appropriate Hispanic Heritage Month activities for kids, from tots to teens, to honor the month long celebration.
We also have a free event pick for families, and a fall break day trip or weekend adventure idea that can connect kids to Hispanic Heritage Month’s celebration of the influence and contributions of Hispanic Americans to our history and culture!
XO,
Lindsey
Hispanic Heritage Month for Tots & Preschoolers
- Take advantage of the Children’s Museum’s Hispanic Heritage Month programs
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 through October 15 with programs and events that will bring a taste of Hispanic and Latino culture to the Museum for visitors to enjoy. More information about daily programming for this month here.
- A FREE tot/preschooler activity
Listen to traditional Hispanic music for the month! Stephanie Jamison, owner and director of the Musik Box, and a specialist in Early Education told us, “The reason we start music so early with little ones is to introduce a variety of music, representing diverse cultures, styles and tonalities as well as varied instrumentation and voice types.
Not only will your child enjoy responding to these different types of music emotionally and physically, but intellectually it is important that your child experience all different types of music. We tend to appreciate and enjoy listening to music that is familiar. But, by exposing your children to a broad selection of music at an early age, you are helping your child to have a rich repertoire of familiar sounds and styles that will make more music accessible and interesting to your child throughout a lifetime.”
Hispanic Heritage Month for elementary aged kiddos
Guelagetza at Desert Botanical Garden
Enjoy the colorful celebration of Guelagetza at the Garden. Guelaguetza is an annual indigenous cultural event in Mexico that takes place in the city of Oaxaca. Immerse yourself in art, music, dance and enjoy the flavors of Oaxaca’s eight regions.
Kids can join a colorful Oaxacan Calenda (parade), try some spicy and sweet mole, visit the mercado and for the parents, don’t forget to sample some mezcal. Oct.5-6, Included with membership or Garden admission. Details here.
For tweens & teens
Mariachi Festival at the Chandler Center for the Arts
This annual tradition features the music of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Mariachi Los
Camperos, Mariachi Cobre, and Mariachi América de Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar. These
mariachi groups will be accompanied by folklórico dancers from Ballet Folklórico
Quetzalli-AZ.
Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. at Chandler Center for the Arts, Tickets start at $48. Details here.
Free festivals for the full family
Mesa Library programming for Kids for Hispanic Heritage Month
All branches of Mesa Libraries are hosting bilingual storytimes, a community alter, luche libre mask making and more throughout the month. Check here for a full roundup of programming at each branch, and see our full review of the Dobson Branch here.
¡Viva! A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage
¡Viva! is a celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture. This free event takes place on October 3rd during Hispanic Heritage Month in Downtown Gilbert.
Entertainment Lineup:
- 6:00 PM-6:45 PM: Ballet Folklorico Amistad
- 6:45 PM-7:45 PM: Gilbert School of Music
- 7:45 PM-8:30 PM: Ballet Folklorico Amistad
Día de los Muertos at Mesa Arts Center
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at this annual event created in collaboration with the
community. The FREE event offers a variety of features, performances and more in celebration of the memories of the deceased.
Oct. 19-20 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. More information here.
El Grito Phoenix Festival
One day before Mexican Independence Day, Phoenix Councilwoman Betty Guardado
will host the El Grito Phoenix festival, inviting the entire community to celebrate our
southern neighbors. The celebration promises to bring Mexico’s cultural heritage to the
city, creating an atmosphere of festivity, unity and community. This event is free and for
all ages.
Sunday, Sept. 15, from 4 to 11 p.m. in downtown Phoenix, at the corner of Adams Street and Third Avenue. Free. More information here.
Make a fall break trip out of it
Visit one Arizona’s Spanish Missions
There’s four sites across Arizona that are Spanish Missions preserved by the US National Park Service. Visiting one of these sites is an excellent way to learn about the 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history and heritage that can be found in national parks. (Get free admission with your America the Beautiful pass)
Ticketed family fun for Hispanic Heritage Month
The D-backs are proud to host and celebrate our Latino community with a weekend of food, music, and baseball during our Hispanic Heritage Weekend at Chase Field, presented by Estrella Jalisco! The weekend will take place Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and each day will highlight different cultures and groups of our Latino community such as the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico.
Get more tips for taking kids to Chase Field here.
Puerto Rican Heritage Night at Chase Field
Following the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Weekend at Chase Field, the Arizona
Diamondbacks will also dedicate an evening to celebrating the Puerto Rican community
in Phoenix when the team takes on the Milwaukee Brewers.
A limited number of ticket holders will also secure an exclusive Diamondbacks cap with
the Puerto Rican flag embroidered on the side.
Details: Sunday, Sept. 15, at 1:10 p.m. More information here.
