Hispanic Heritage Month is almost over for 2026, but there is still time for families to explore a new story, word, song, or tradition together.
In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. It recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
For children, the most meaningful way to celebrate does not have to be a big project. A few moments of curiosity can lead to a wonderful conversation.
1. Explore a Map Together
Find Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Spain on a map. Ask your child what they notice: Which places are islands? Which have mountains? Which are far apart?
Try these Spanish questions:
¿Dónde está Colombia? — Where is Colombia?
¿Dónde está México? — Where is Mexico?
¿Está lejos? — Is it far away?
Explain that many places share the Spanish language, but they have their own histories, accents, foods, music, and traditions. No single country represents everyone.
2. Read a Story by a Hispanic Author
Visit your local library or explore its catalog for an age-appropriate book by a Hispanic or Latino author.
You might choose a bilingual picture book, a story about a family, or a biography of a scientist, artist, or athlete.
Before reading, practice:
Vamos a leer. — Let's read.
Mira la portada. — Look at the cover.
¿Qué ves? — What do you see?
Afterward, ask your child which character or part of the story they liked best. You do not need to turn every page into a translation exercise.
3. Listen to Music From Two Different Places
Spanish-language music includes many styles. You could compare Colombian cumbia with Dominican merengue, for example.
Ask children to notice the instruments, rhythm, and feeling rather than declaring one song more “authentic” than another.
Try:
Escucha. — Listen.
¿Te gusta? — Do you like it?
¡Vamos a bailar! — Let's dance!
Even a short dance break can spark questions about where the music comes from.
4. Make a Family Recipe Connection
If your family has a favorite dish from a Spanish-speaking country, learn about its history together. Or choose a new recipe and research where it is commonly enjoyed.
Avoid treating any one dish as something that all Hispanic families eat. Food traditions differ between countries, regions, and households.
In the kitchen, use:
la comida — food
el agua — water
la cuchara — spoon
¡Qué rico! — How delicious!
For younger children, helping count ingredients or naming colors can be enough.
5. Celebrate Someone Who Made a Difference
Hispanic Heritage Month is also a chance to learn about real people whose work has shaped science, art, literature, sports, and communities.
For a space-loving child in the Huntsville area, consider learning about Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to travel to space and a former director of NASA's Johnson Space Center.
Ask:
¿Qué hace una astronauta? — What does an astronaut do?
la estrella — star
la luna — moon
el espacio — space
You can connect the conversation to Huntsville's own space history without implying that every Hispanic child's interests or experiences are the same.
A Simple Weekend Plan for Huntsville and Madison Families
If you have fifteen minutes this weekend, try this:
- Five minutes: Find two Spanish-speaking places on a map.
- Five minutes: Read a bilingual story or listen to a song from one of them.
- Five minutes: Practice three useful Spanish phrases together.
Your child does not need to remember every word. The goal is to build curiosity and make the language feel connected to real people and places.
The Learning Doesn't End October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month provides a special reminder to celebrate, but Spanish language and Hispanic cultures deserve attention throughout the year.
Keep asking questions. Keep reading stories. Keep exploring different communities. And keep finding small opportunities to use Spanish in everyday life.
At Hola Let's Go, Anlly offers personalized Spanish tutoring for kids, teens, and adults online and in-person in the Huntsville and Madison, Alabama area. Visit holaletsgo.com to book a free 15-minute consultation.