Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! The special celebration began on September 15. From now until October 15, it’s time to celebrate Americans of Hispanic heritage. That includes people whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Wondering how to celebrate? One way is to make a traditional Mexican decoration! Papel picado is a Mexican folk art. In English, it means “perforated paper.” The colorful paper flags are popular in Mexico. Artists cut beautiful designs into the bright paper. The flags are used for holidays such as Día de los Muertos and Christmas.

Artists usually create papel picado with a chisel and hammer. That’s because it’s often made in bulk — up to 50 flags at once! But it’s simpler if you just want to make a few flags.

What You’ll Need
∙ Tissue paper (pick your favorite colors!)
∙ Scissors
∙ Tape
∙ String

Steps
1. Cut the tissue paper into rectangles. The size is up to you!
2. Fold the paper two or three times. You can fold it however you want!
Optional: Cut off the bottom corners so they are round. Many traditional papel picado do this!
3. Cut small pieces out of the folded paper. Be sure to cut on the side with the folds, not the edge. You can cut out triangles, semicircles, squares, or any shape you want!
4. Unfold the paper to see your flag. Then repeat the process to create even more flags!
5. Lay out the papers in a row.
6. Place a piece of string along the top of the flags.
7. Tape the string to the flags.
8. Hang your papel picado to add some fun and color!

And that’s it! You made your own banner of papel picado flags! Show off your beautiful banner to honor Hispanic Heritage Month.


Updated September 27, 2019, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Zoe Steckler