Fiesta Theme Dinner Ideas for Kids

Pico de Gallo Recipe

Pico de Gallo is a fresh tomato salsa that works as a dip, taco topping, nacho topping, or side dish for a Mexican-inspired fiesta dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• 1 large lime, juiced
• 1 to 2 serrano peppers, finely diced
• 2 to 3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Add tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, serrano peppers, garlic, salt, and pepper to a bowl.
2. Stir gently to combine.
3. Serve as a topping for tacos, taco salad, enchiladas, or as a dip with tortilla chips.

Kid-Friendly Tip: For younger kids, use mild peppers or leave the peppers out. Kids can help stir and taste-test the finished salsa.

Strawberry Mocktail

This strawberry mocktail is a kid-friendly drink for a fiesta dinner. It has the flavor of strawberries, orange juice, and lime without alcohol.

Ingredients

• 1 16-ounce bag frozen strawberries
• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice, from 1 to 2 large oranges
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice, from about 3 large limes
• 1/3 cup water
• Lime wedges or fresh strawberries, for garnish
• Ice, optional

Directions

1. Add half of the frozen strawberries to a blender.
2. Add lime juice and orange juice.
3. Blend on high until smooth.
4. Add remaining frozen strawberries and blend again until smooth.
5. For a thicker mocktail, add ice and blend until you reach the desired consistency.
6. For a thinner mocktail, add a little water.
7. Pour into serving glasses and garnish with strawberries or a lime wedge.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can help squeeze citrus, add strawberries to the blender, and garnish the glasses. Adults should run the blender.

Mexican Theme Dinner Dessert: Pinata Cookies

These pinata cookies are a fun dessert for a fiesta theme party. Two cookie cups are sealed together with frosting and filled with small candies—just like a pinata.

You Will Need

• Muffin tins
• Sugar cookie dough recipe
• Small candy for filling
• White or colored frosting
• Piping bag or zip-top bag

Directions

1. Prepare your sugar cookie dough and roll it out with a rolling pin.
2. Use a large circle cutter or the bottom of a glass to cut circles slightly larger than the bottom of your muffin tin.
3. Turn the muffin tin over and place the dough circles around the bottom of each muffin cup.
4. Bake until golden brown.
5. Allow cookies to cool, then gently remove them from the tin.
6. Fill one cookie with small candy.
7. Pipe frosting around the top edge of the cookie.
8. Place a second cookie on top and gently seal together.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can cut cookie circles, add candy, and help decorate. Adults should handle the oven and hot muffin tin.

Mexican Refried Beans Soup

By Deborah- Pennsylvania, USA

Deborah shared that her family was served this at a restaurant, and the kids loved it. It is an easy recipe to recreate at home.

Ingredients

• 1 can refried beans, any brand you like
• Chicken broth, to taste
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, cilantro, black olives, or avocado slices

Directions

1. Place refried beans in a small pot.
2. Add enough chicken broth to loosen the beans into a soup consistency.
3. Heat until warm, stirring as needed.
4. Serve with your choice of toppings.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Let kids choose toppings and sprinkle them over each bowl.