Every Día del Niño, we celebrate the children who fill our lives with wonder and joy.
We remind ourselves to slow down. To breathe in those tiny hugs and giggles. But most of all, we remember to give back that most precious gift – our time – to the children in our lives who mean so very much.
Every April 30th, the holiday Día del Niño, or Day of the Child, is celebrated across Mexico and in many Latin American countries.
Meant to honor the joy of children and childhood, kids enjoy special presents, activities and food meant just for them. It’s also a chance for adults to remember the simple joys of childhood. Relatives share funny childhood stories, find favorite old photos and often share their favorite childhood dishes with the special children in their lives.
History
Día del Niño was first celebrated in Mexico in 1925 and continues to grown in popularity around the world. You will find Día del Niño celebrations throughout the United States, both large and small.
Traditions
Día del Niño is celebrated in Mexico with fiestas in schools. Students take a break from studying and enjoying a variety of special activities. Parents are invited to attend and the day is filled with treats, decorations and traditional Mexican games that children love to play. Here are some traditional favorites:
Día del Niño Games for Kids
LOTERÍA
Lotería is a game similar to Bingo that uses a brightly colored deck of cards, a board and beans for markers. Kids enjoy playing because the cards feature mystical characters and common objects, and teachers use them to make learning fun. To win, you have to get four beans in a row and shout “lotería!”
TROMPO
Trompo means “gyroscope” and is a spinning top children love to play on Día del Niño. Traditionally made of wood, the toy comes with a string that you pull to make it spin as you toss it on the ground. There are many fun and challenging trompo game variations and adults also play in tournaments.
CANICAS
Canicas or “marbles” is a kid-favorite with many different names and variations. A player knocks another player’s marbles from the center of a circle to “steal” the marbles. The child who racks up the most marbles at the end of the game is the winner!
BALERO
Balero is a traditional Mexican toy made up of a brightly colored cup and wooden stick connected by a string. Kids have a chance to show off their skills by doing flashy tricks to catch the cup with the stick.
FÚTBOL
Fútbol or soccer as it’s known in the US – is one of the most popular sports in Mexico and around the world. On Día del Niño, it gets children outside and active and adds to the excitement of the day.
Source: Herdez Traditions