Toddler Fun with Papel Picado

Toddlers can learn about geometry (the study of shapes), art, culture and history when you show them how to make papel picado. Plus, they will improve their hand and finger movements – abilities called “fine motor skills” by educators.

All you need for homemade papel picado are colorful sheets of tissue paper cut into squares, string, child-safe glue and kid-safe scissors to help your child create a banner celebrating this colorful folk art tradition. You choose the size of the squares.

San Antonio is famous for papel picado (perforated paper) banners that you’ll see displayed at Market Square, the Riverwalk, seasonal festival sites and at other public venues.

Papel picado, which originated in Mexico, celebrates San Antonio’s Mexican-American heritage.

For each square of tissue paper, fold the square in half and then in half again. Help your toddler make small cutouts in geometric shapes (circles, squares) along one, two or more edges.

When you fold open your square, you’ll see the pattern created on your papel. Let your child experiment with more folds or different shapes. For a papel picado banner, use glue to attach one end of each square to your length of string.

For an illustrated guide to making papel picado, visit the nonprofit PBS Kids for Parents website:  

https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/make-your-own-colorful-papel-picado.