Add to your celebration with this fun and easy Balero Cinco De Mayo Activity. Have fun while learning about the Mexican Holiday and creating this traditional ball in a cup game.

What is a Balero?

A Balero is a children’s game from Mexico. It consists of a ball on a string and a cup. The object of the game is to swing the ball into the air and catch it with the cup. Traditional Baleros are made of wood and are very colorful. Read more about Baleros at ConnectingCultures.us

Supplies​

• Pencils
• Dixie cups
• Large wooden beads
• Glue
• String
• markers

How to make a balero

To start making your balero, cut a hole in the bottom of a dixie cup. The hole should be large enough for a pencil to fit through, but it should be a tight fit.

Next cut a one foot piece of string and tie one end to the eraser on the pencil. Knot the string so it is secured tightly. Then, hold the string close to the pencil, and stick the eraser end of the pencil and the string through the hole in the bottom of the cup. Push it through until the eraser is about halfway up the cup.

The string should be hanging out the bottom of the cup. Tie a bead to the end of the string. You now have a functional balero.

Decorate with markers, stickers, and any other items you may have on hand. Remember traditional baleros are very colorful. You have made a traditional Cinco De Mayo toy.

How to use a Balero

Hold the pencil in one hand, with the bead hanging down swing the string and try to catch the bead in the cup. See how many times in a row you can catch the bead it the cup!