Every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month offers families and schools an opportunity to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

For families, it’s also a great opportunity to learn something new together. You can discover a new favorite book, cook a meal, turn up the music or explore Hispanic and Latino history in your own community. And when families bring that curiosity into their schools, they can help create learning experiences that benefit every child.

Looking for Hispanic Heritage Month activities for kids and families? Here are eight easy ways to celebrate, learn and connect.

1. Read a New Story Together

Books can introduce children to people, places and experiences beyond their own. Visit your school or local library and look for books by Hispanic and Latino authors or stories featuring Hispanic and Latino characters.

• Make it a family activity: Let each family member choose a book and hold a family reading night. Afterwards, talk about what you learned or what made you curious.
• Bring it to school: Ask your school librarian or teacher for their favorite titles—or work with your PTA to create a Hispanic Heritage Month reading list families can use at home.

2. Explore Culture Through Food

Grab your aprons! Cooking together is a fun—and tasty—way to learn about different cultures.

Choose a country or region and find a recipe your family can make together. While you cook, learn where the dish originated, when it is traditionally served and what ingredients are common in that cuisine.

If your own family has Hispanic or Latino heritage, this is also a wonderful opportunity to share a treasured family recipe and the story behind it.

• Bring it to school: Invite families to contribute recipes and stories to a school or PTA digital cookbook.

3. Learn About a Hispanic or Latino Changemaker

From science and sports to government and the arts, Hispanic and Latino Americans have helped shape our country in countless ways.

Let your child choose someone connected to their interests to research. An aspiring astronaut might learn about Ellen Ochoa. A baseball fan could discover the story of Roberto Clemente. Other children might be interested in Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, labor leader César Chávez or one of the many other Hispanic and Latino leaders making a difference past and present.

Then encourage your child to share what they learned with someone else.

• Family engagement idea: Create a “Did You Know?” poster, video or card together and share it with your child’s class or teacher.

4. Turn Up the Music

Music gives families an entertaining way to explore the diversity of Hispanic and Latino cultures.

Create a family playlist featuring different artists and musical styles. Find out where each style originated and listen for the different instruments and rhythms.

Then clear some space in the living room and dance!

• Bring it to school: Families can help create a school playlist or suggest musicians and musical traditions that could be highlighted during Hispanic Heritage Month activities.

5. Learn Some Spanish Together

Learning a few words in another language can be a fun family challenge.

Start with simple Spanish words and phrases you can use every day, or pick a weekly theme such as food, animals, colors or numbers.

If your child or another family member already speaks Spanish, let them become the teacher. Giving children an opportunity to share their knowledge is a great way to build confidence and celebrate multilingual families.

6. Explore Hispanic and Latino History Close to Home

History isn’t only found in textbooks. Check your local library, museum, community center or cultural organization for Hispanic Heritage Month events for families. You might find festivals, concerts, art exhibits, storytelling programs, cultural celebrations or other kid-friendly activities.

7. Partner With Your School

Family engagement can help turn Hispanic Heritage Month from a classroom activity into a schoolwide celebration.

Ask your child’s teacher, principal or PTA how families can participate. Parents, caregivers and community members might volunteer to read to a class, share a family tradition, help with a cultural event, recommend books and resources or connect the school with Hispanic and Latino artists, professionals and community leaders.

When inviting families to participate, remember that no individual should be expected to represent an entire culture. Instead, create opportunities for many families to share their own experiences and traditions if they choose.

That’s what meaningful family engagement is all about: schools and families working together and learning from one another.

8. Don’t Stop on Oct. 15

One of the best ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is to make sure the learning continues after the month ends. Throughout the year, continue doing all the things on this list to keep learning about different cultures all year long!

Hispanic Heritage Month Resources for Families and Schools

Want to keep exploring? Families can find Hispanic Heritage Month educational resources through organizations including:

• National Museum of the American Latino: Explore stories, collections and educational resources celebrating Latino history, art and culture.
• Library of Congress: Find primary sources, collections and educational materials related to Hispanic American history.
• National Park Service: Discover people, places and stories connected to Hispanic and Latino history.
• PBS Learning Media: Explore videos and educational resources for students and educators.
• Your local library: Ask about children’s book lists, bilingual resources, cultural programs and Hispanic Heritage Month events.