fun things to do with kids in mexico - family travel    
  Travel for Kids
   
     
    Mexico
Mural
Mexico is a complex country where Olmec, Mayan, Toltec, Aztec and Spanish history have created a unique culture. Traveling with kids in Mexico, there's lots of places to choose, from dry deserts of Baja California, underground caves, mangrove swamps, Maya ruins in the Yucatan, or warm water beaches on the Pacific coast.
Tip: Don't miss our top picks for children's books on Mexico, recommended by the staff of Travel for Kids, see below.
  Mexico City
    The Yucatan Peninsula
 
Caribbean Coast
 
Chichen Itza
 
Merida
    Pacific Coast
family tours mexico

Christmas in Oaxaca is something the kids will never forget – watch artisans carving wood animals and paint your own, learn to make hot chocolate and tortillas, tour Zapotec ruins, raft down the Rio Copalita, with an itinerary just for families:

   

The Yucatan Peninsula is rich in ancient ruins and fabulous wildlife, and you'll want to find the best place to spot dolphins, swim in the cenotes, snokel and canoe, or bike in the jungle. Check out these tours for families that offer the best of Maya treasures and multi-sport activities:

   
   
kids books mexico
     
My Mexico - Mexico Mio - kids books Mexico  
My Mexico-Mexico Mio
Tony Johnston, F. John Sierra

Poems in English and Spanish, each one a little gem about life in Mexico – "Iguanas on the Taxco Road," "Corn," "Adobe Brick," "Street Dogs," "Downtown, Mexico City," and more. Warm, soft-pastel illustrations. (Picture book)

 

     
Just a Minute
Yuyi Morales

When Senor Calavera comes to call on Grandma, she's only too happy to go with him, but she has one house to sweep, two pots of tea to boil, three pounds of corn to make into tortillas… An irresistible tale, fabulously illustrated. (Picture book)

 

 
Just a Minute - kids books Mexico
     
The Spirit of Tio Fernando - kids books Mexico  

On the Day of the Dead, as Nando and his mother prepare to go to the cemetery, Nando wonders how he will know his Tio Fernando's spirit. Nando goes to the market to buy things to remind him of his uncle – bread of the dead, marzipan candy, an orange and black paper goblin. Story in English and Spanish. (Picture book)

 

     
The Festival of Bones
Luis San Vincente

Exuberant and wonderful poem of the Day of the Dead, a big celebration in Mexico with food and music to entertain the dead who have returned to visit their relatives. Poem in English and Spanish. (Picture book)

 

 
The Festival of Bones - kids books Mexico
     
Calavera Abecedario - kids books Mexico  
Calavera Abecedario
Jeanette Winter

Mexico from A to Z with colorful calaveras, skeletons for the Day of the Dead – an angel sits on a pink cloud, a bruja (witch) stirs the pot, a candelera (candlemaker) sells her candles, it's a fiesta with all the dancing calaveras. Bright illustrations in a folk-art style are a delight. (Picture book)

 

     
Diego
Jeanette Winter, Jonah Winter

Diego Rivera, the famous painter, drew everywhere as a child, and when he grew up, Diego painted what he saw, people on the Day of the Dead, fiestas, scenes of the deserts and jungles, murals that tell the story of Mexico. Vibrantly illustrated, this is a gem! (Picture book)

 

 
Diego - kids books Mexico
     
Frida - kids books Mexico  
Frida
Jonah Winter, Ana Juan

For Frida, imagination was everything. Magical, marvelous story of Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico's best-loved artists, who took her tears and painted miracles. Fabulous, original illustrations. (Picture book)

 

     
Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet
Neil Philip, Jacqueline Mair

Fifteen different Mexican folktales – the tailor who sells his soul to the devil, the witch who turns seven brothers into blue oxen, the two Marias – one with a golden star, the other with two horns, the boy who magically turns himself into a flea. Colorfully illustrated. (Chapter book, illustrations)

 

 
Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales - kids books Mexico
     
How Music Came to the World - kids books Mexico  
How Music Came to the World
Hal Ober, Carol Ober

Retelling of a Mexican myth, the sky god (Tezcatlipoca) sends the wind god (Quetzalcoatl) to the House of the Sun to bring music to earth. Quetzalcoatl returns with the best singers and musicians, who teach all creatures to sing and play, and fill the forests, valleys and oceans with music. Gorgeously illustrated collages with ancient Mexican motifs. (Picture book)

 

     
Hill of Fire
Thomas P. Lewis, Joan Sandin

A farmer is plowing his field, when a small hole in the ground becomes a big hole, white smoke billows out and, crack, the earth opens up. The farmer's field turns into the volcano Paricutin! (Easy reader)

 

 
Hill of Fire - kids books Mexico
     
Ancient Mexico (Art Across the Ages) - kids books Mexico  

Ancient Mexico (Art Across the Ages)
Kelly Campbell Hinshaw

Kids can read for themselves about the art of ancient Mexico – clay sculptures, gold charms, giant stone heads, bright wall paintings, jade mosaics of the Olmecs, Maya and Aztecs. Gorgeous photographs and imaginative, easy-to-read explanations. This is a gem. (Easy reader)

 

     

Explore the ancient Maya ruins of Palenque, the "jewel of the jungle." Once a great city, after Palenque was abandoned, it disappeared, until rediscovery in the early 1800's. Exciting story of this "lost city," and ongoing archeology at Palenque today. (Picture book)

 

 
The Mystery of the Maya - kids books Mexico
     
Rain Player  
Rain Player
David Wisniewski

Pik, challenges the mighty god Chac to a ball game – if Pik wins, Chac will bring the rain. A jaguar, quetzal bird and the sacred cenote help Pik win against Chac. Dazzling cut-paper illustrations. (Picture book)

 

     
The Maya
Stefanie Takacs

Pictorial history of the Maya, from the great civilization to European conquest and the Maya today, plus fun facts about the ancient Maya – flat foreheads and large noses were beautiful, cacao beans were used as money, jade was highly prized. (Picture book)

 

 
The Maya
     
Mario's Mayan Journey  
Mario's Mayan Journey
Michelle McCunney

In his dreams, Mario flies with the flamingos to Chichen Itza, explores the rivers and jungle around the Mayan ruins, listening to the sounds of howler monkeys, jaguars and macaws. (Picture book)

 

     

Super introduction to ancient Maya daily life, art and architecture, math and glyphs, plus activities and crafts – make a jaguar shield, temple pyramid, or macaw headdress, play a game, try Maya foods (corn cakes, chicken), and drinks (chili chocolate), create masks, weaving. (Activity book)

 

 
     
Off We Go to Mexico  
Off We Go to Mexico!
Laurie Krebs, Christopher Corr

A delightful introduction to Mexico in rhymes and pictures – hop aboard a canyon train, climb the pyramids, celebrate festivals, dance to mariachi bands, explore the capital city, swim in turquoise waters, plus simple Spanish words. Two page, colorful illustrations, and perfect for younger kids. (Picture book)

 

     

Fun facts about Mexico – the Maya invented chewing gum, chia pets are popular toys, the smallest dogs in the world, Chihuahuas, come from Mexico. (Picture book)

 

 
Look What Came From Mexico - kids books Mexico
     
 

Illustrated history, daily life, traditions and culture of Mexico, with lots of activities. Make tortillas or a pinata, celebrate a fiesta, build a Maya pyramid, weave a belt, drink Mexican hot chocolate, paint a mural, and more. (Activity book)

 

More children's books on other Mexico pages)
travel for kids | mexico