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.
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
FREE Preschool Spanish Unit | Spanish Mama
Resources to Celebrate Mexico! | Elementary Matters
Learning About Mexico | Ben and Me
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
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
Montessori-Inspired Little Passports Activities – Mexico | Living Montessori Now
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.
