Brightening Up Our Learning Space with Papel Picado 🎉

This September, our family set out on a colorful adventure — dedicating the whole month to celebrating Mexico! From food and music to stories and art, every week we are diving into a new piece of Mexican culture. And this week, we brought a burst of color into our home with one of Mexico’s most beautiful folk art traditions: papel picado.

If you’ve ever seen pictures of Mexican festivals or Día de los Muertos altars, you’ll notice strings of delicate, perforated paper banners swaying in the breeze. These are papel picado — literally translated as “punched paper.” They symbolize the fragility of life and the joy of community celebrations. In Mexican culture, they are used for birthdays, weddings, Christmas, and especially Day of the Dead.

Our Papel Picado Project

We decided to make papel picado to decorate my child’s study space, and the result was nothing short of magical. With just some colored paper, scissors, and string, we created a rainbow of patterns — stars, flowers, hearts, and abstract cut-outs — each one unique and full of character. My little one had the best time folding, cutting, and opening up the paper to reveal “surprises.” Every unfolded sheet felt like opening a present — you never know what the design will look like until it’s done!

Once ready, we hung them across the window and shelves, and suddenly the room felt festive, warm, and inviting. It’s amazing how something so simple can transform a space. 🌸🌈

Why We Loved This Activity

• Hands-on learning: My child got to practice folding, cutting, and pattern-making.

• Cultural connection: We talked about how papel picado is used in real Mexican celebrations.

• Color therapy: The vibrant shades made our room cheerful and fun to spend time in.

• Togetherness: Crafting side by side turned into storytelling, laughter, and lots of “oops” moments that became part of the charm.

A Piece of Mexico at Home

Now, every time we sit down to read, study, or draw, these papel picado banners remind us of Mexico’s deep connection to art, celebration, and joy. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to bring the spirit of another country into our everyday life.

Our Mexican month is just getting started, but I can already say: traditions like these are what make learning with family truly unforgettable. ❤️