Free Ways to Learn About Mexican History

Published:
April 30, 2021

Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

Parts of Mexican history are also part of United States history. These free ways to learn about Mexican history will help you teach all about the country’s history without having to purchase a curriculum.

a striped blanket draped over a green chair in front of a wall with text Free Ways to Learn About Mexican History

If you live in Texas, Arizona, or New Mexico, then you understand just how much Mexican culture is a part of America’s fabric as well.

Mexico’s history derives from a rich Native American heritage and then centuries of Spanish rule.

In 1200 B.C. the Olmec natives arrived in Mexico and settled by the Gulf Coast (we call the area Velacruz today). This complex society was then followed by the Mayans, the Toltecs, and the Aztec people.

These ancient Mexican societies built great and elaborate cities with huge pyramids. They left behind extraordinary works of art and evidence of studying the stars and planets to determine when to plant crops and hold their ceremonies. The Aztecs ruled until the arrival of the Spaniards in the A.D. 1500s.

The Spaniards brought with them diseases like smallpox, which wiped out many of the people – nearly 24 million by some estimates.

Explorer Hernan Cortez arrived in Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) and killed the ruler.

By 1521, Cortez and his troops defeated the Aztecs and claimed the Mexican land for Spain.

Struggles for independence resulted in Mexico gaining its independence on September 27, 1821.

Emperors arose, including Agustín de Iturbide in 1822. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna ruled as President for years until the Mexican-American War in 1848. As a result of the war, the United States won the annexation of Texas and over 500,000 square miles of territory, including land in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

The Mexican people revolted over the unequal distribution of money and power in Mexico, which led to a 10-year civil war that cost 2 million lives including the life of revolutionary hero Pancho Villa in 1923. 

Between revolutions and reforms, Mexico still established its cultural impacts famous around the globe.

Explore these free ways to learn about Mexican history.

Reading Materials and Facts All About Mexico and Mexican History

Use these resources to teach and help learn about Mexican history. Resources specifically about Mexican history are in bold. The others are supporting resources for Mexican history.

Resources for Learning About Mexico

a bunch of buildings and houses going up a mountain with text Resources for Learning About Mexico

FREE Preschool Spanish Unit | Spanish Mama

Resources to Celebrate Mexico! | Elementary Matters

Learning About Mexico | Ben and Me

folded colorful striped blankets background with text Learning About Mexico

All About Mexico for Kids | Childhood Education

Fun Mexico Facts for Kids | Easy Science For Kids

Mexico’s Rich Culture | PBS KIDS

Mexico History and Timeline Overview | Ducksters

Geography for Kids: Mexico | Ducksters

History of Mexico | HISTORY

Mexico Facts for Kids | KidsKiddle

History, Culture & More – Mexico Facts | Cool Kid Facts

Fun Mexico Facts for Kids | Easy Science For Kids

Mexico Facts for Children | A to Z Kids Stuff

Mexico History Timeline | SoftSchools

A Brief Introduction to the Mexican Revolution | Over the Andes

The Story Of The Mexican Flag | Kids World Citizen

Expedition Earth: Mexico | Confessions of a Homeschooler

Free Mexico and Mexican History Printables

Grab these free printables and downloads for learning about Mexico and Mexican history.

FREE Mexican History and Geography Pack | Write Bonnie Rose

shape of Mexico colored like the Mexican flag over a white background with red text about Mexican History

Mexico FREE Lesson Plans, Games, Activities | MrDonn.org

FREE Printable Mexico for Kids Worksheets | 123 Homeschool 4 Me

The Educational Summer Vacation: Studying Mexico | Unremarkable Files

Mexico Article & Questions FREE PDF | Scribd

FREE Mexico Facts & Worksheets | KidsKonnect

Map of Mexico FREE Download | Education.com

FREE Printable Mexico Country Facts Board | Our Crafty World

All About Mexico Reader FREEBIE | Brandy W

Mexico Fun Facts FREEBIE | The Creative Workshop

Free activities and games

Grab these free activities and games for kids to learn about Mexico and Mexican history.

Date Dash Mexico – Mexican History Game

Printable Card Game all about Mexico text with a background of a Mexican monument

Montessori-Inspired Little Passports Activities – Mexico | Living Montessori Now

Montessori Inspired Little Passports Activities Mexico text with a collage background of interactive and lapbook projects

Mexico Concentration FREE Game | Our Crafty World

FREE Printable I Spy Mexico Activity | Paper Trail Design

Mexican Theme: Mexican Culture Games and Activities for Kids | Kids Activities

FREE Mexico Activity Map (ALL Spanish Levels) | Rio’s Workshop

Free Mexico Crafts and Stuff

Crafts and coloring pages will help your lessons on Mexican history come to life.

Mexican Mirrors Craft | Painted Paper Art

FREE Mexico Coloring Pages – Read, Color, and Learn | Kindergarten Worksheets and Games

Mexican Coloring 014 FREE Coloring Page | Coloring Pages 101

FREE Mexico Coloring Activity | Multicultural Kids Blog

Mexican Folk Art for Kids | Frogs, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails

Kids Craft: Papel Picados | Create Craft Love

Mexican Wrestling Masks | Free Kids Crafts

FREE Printable Craft: Mexican Folk Art Sun | Learn Create Love

Mexican Metal Art | KidsActivities.com

Books about Mexico and Mexican history.

Read books about Mexico and Mexican history to check out in your local library.

10 Great Picture Books to Learn About Mexico | Pragmatic Mom

Books About Mexico for Kids | Mommy Evolution

24 Children’s Books Set in Mexico | Colours of Us

Mexico and Its Culture Collection | epic!

12+ Children’s Books About Mexican Culture | Inspired by Family Mag

Learning About Mexico Children’s Books | Natural Parent Guide

Music from Mexico

Mexican history will be fun with these songs and music to teach your kids basic Spanish.

Kids Songs in Spanish | Spanish Mama

FREE Music Resources For Hispanic Heritage Month | Tiny Tapping Toes

Music of Mexico (Cinco de Mayo) Word Search – FREEBIE | TrinityMusic

Visuals on Mexican History

Videos will help visual learners enjoy Mexican facts and Mexican history.

Mexico History in 5 Minutes – Animated Timeline and Facts | Past to Future

The Animated History of Mexico | Suibhne

Resource Roundup Mexico For Kids: YouTube Videos | Little Explorers Big World

Introducing Mexico | Lonely Planet

All About Mexico Video | National Geographic Kids

MEXICO! – Mini Fantastic Facts (Video) | JrMojo

Short Stories for Kids (Videos) | Learn about Mexico

Mexico With Kids: Homeschooling Mexico Unit To Explore From Home | Local Passport Family

Learning the Spanish Language

Teach kids some basic Spanish alongside your lessons.

Spanish Vocabulary Cut and Paste Activity

Tons of FREE Printable Spanish Flashcards | Look! We’re Learning

Spanish for Kids FREE Starter Guide | Spanish School for Kids

Learn the Spanish Alphabet: Video, Lyrics, Info and FREE Printables | Canta Con Jess

FREE Printable Spanish Vocabulary Flashcards | Raising a Self-Reliant Child

Free Mexican-Themed Learning Freebies

Teach your kiddos with a Mexico theme while they are learning about Mexican history.

FREE MATH LESSON – “Mexico Die and Spinner Graphing Activity” | The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs

Mexico-Themed FREE Number Posters | Bears Beets Bilingual Resources

Spanish Mexico Fun Facts FREEBIE | The Creative Workshop

FREE Mexico Themed Writing Paper |Elementary Matters

Mexican Cooking

A part of Mexican history is obviously Mexican cuisine. Cook up some recipes with your kiddos to go alongside your lessons.

Cooking with Kids – Mexican Made Easy | FoodNetwork

Mexican Recipes | DLTK-Kids

Kid Mexican Recipes | Kidspot

Mexican Food and Facts | Kids Cooking Activities

Note: Of course, you may need to buy some ingredients, but you may have some already at home.

As your children study Mexico’s history, they will learn some interesting and wonderful facts that will surely catch their attention.

One interesting fact is that Mexico City is sinking. Yup, it has sunk about 32.8 feet in the past 60 years . . . Nuts, right? Pray they stay safe, and enjoy your Mexico history lessons with your kiddos.

green chair with a striped blanket draped over it with text Free Ways to Learn About Mexican History