When I was a kid, looking at a map of South America always fascinated me. There was this one long, thin strip of a country that looked like a ribbon hugging the edge of the continent. “How does everyone fit in there?” I used to wonder. That country, of course, is Chile.
As I grew older, my geography jokes (like wondering if they ate “chili” all the time) were replaced by a deep appreciation for Chile’s incredible landscapes—from the driest desert in the world to the icy glaciers of Patagonia.
With September 18th marking Chile’s Independence Day (or Fiestas Patrias), there is no better time to introduce children to the vibrant culture, history, and traditions of this Andean nation. Whether you are a teacher planning a multicultural unit or a parent wanting to expand your child’s horizons, these 15 cheerful Chile crafts for kids are the perfect gateway.
What is Fiestas Patrias?
Before we dive into the glue and glitter, let’s set the scene. Chile’s Independence Day isn’t just a single day off; it is a massive, week-long party!
- The History: It commemorates the establishment of the First National Government Board in 1810, which was the first step toward independence from Spain.
- The Celebration: Chilean families flock to fondas (temporary party venues) to dance the cueca, eat tasty empanadas, and drink chicha.
- The Vibe: Imagine red, white, and blue decorations everywhere, folk music playing in the streets, and the smell of barbecue in the air.
Fun Facts About Chile to Share While Crafting
Keep the kids engaged while they work with these cool trivia bits:
- Longest Country: Chile is the longest country in the world from north to south, stretching over 4,300 km!
- Star Gazing: The Atacama Desert is one of the best places on Earth to see the stars because it is so high and dry.
- Penguins and Flamingos: You can find penguins in the south and flamingos in the north.
- Oldest Mummies: The Chinchorro mummies found in Chile are older than the Egyptian mummies!
15 Creative Chile Crafts for Kids
We have categorized these crafts to cover national symbols, traditional festivities, indigenous heritage, and unique wildlife.
1. The DIY Rainstick (Palo de Lluvia)
The rainstick is perhaps the most famous instrument to come out of Chile, believed to have originated with the indigenous Diaguita or Mapuche people to summon rain in the dry deserts.
- How to Make It: Use a sturdy cardboard mailing tube or a long paper towel roll. Pierce nails or toothpicks through the sides in a spiral pattern (adult supervision required). Fill it with rice or dried beans and seal both ends.
- The Decoration: Wrap it in brown paper and let kids draw traditional geometric patterns. When you tilt it, the rice hitting the toothpicks sounds exactly like a rainstorm!
2. Egg Carton Chilean Bellflowers (Copihue)
The Copihue (Lapageria rosea) is Chile’s national flower. It is a bell-shaped red flower that grows in the southern forests.
- The Craft: Cut individual cups from an egg carton. Paint them bright red. Poke a hole in the bottom and thread a green pipe cleaner through for the stem. Add yellow beads to the end of the pipe cleaner inside the “bell” to represent the pollen.
3. Clay Moai Statues of Easter Island
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Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is a Chilean territory famous for its giant stone heads called Moai.
- The Activity: Use gray air-dry clay or salt dough. Show the kids pictures of the Moai—notice their deep-set eyes, long noses, and heavy brows. Have the kids sculpt their own mini-monuments. It’s a great sensory lesson in 3D art.
4. The “Chupalla” Hat Craft
During Fiestas Patrias, the Huaso (Chilean cowboy) is a central figure. They wear a flat-topped straw hat called a Chupalla.
- How to Make It: Use a paper plate for the brim and a paper bowl for the crown. Glue the bowl upside down onto the plate. Paint it a straw-yellow or light brown. Add a red, white, and blue ribbon around the base of the crown for a patriotic touch.
5. Andean Condor Handprint Art
The Andean Condor is Chile’s national bird and a symbol of power in the national coat of arms. It has a massive wingspan!
- The Craft: Trace the child’s hands on black construction paper—these will be the wings. Cut a bowling-pin shape from black paper for the body. Glue the handprints to the sides. Add a distinct white “fluff” collar around the neck using cotton balls, which is a signature look of the condor.
6. “Volantín” Kites
Flying kites (volantines) is a huge tradition during the independence celebrations. The sky is often filled with square-shaped kites.
- The Activity: Create a simple diamond or square kite using lightweight tissue paper and bamboo skewers. Use the Chilean flag colors (red, white, and blue). Even if you make a small non-flying version for a window display, it captures the spirit of the holiday perfectly.
7. Recycled “Emboque” Game
The Emboque is a traditional wooden toy that tests your hand-eye coordination. It looks like a bell attached to a stick by a string.
- DIY Version: Cut the top off a plastic soda bottle (this acts as the bell). Tie a string to the bottle neck. Tie the other end of the string to a short stick or dowel. The goal is to swing the bottle top and catch it on the stick!
8. Mapuche Silver Jewelry (Trapelacucha)
The Mapuche people are the largest indigenous group in Chile. They are renowned for their stunning silver jewelry.
- The Craft: Cut breastplate shapes out of cardboard. Cover them smoothly with aluminum foil to mimic silver. Use a dull pencil to “emboss” or draw designs into the foil without ripping it. Punch holes at the bottom to hang silver coins or foil circles.
9. Paper Plate Llama
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Llamas and Alpacas are iconic animals of the Andes mountains.
- The Craft: Cut a paper plate in half for the body. Use cardstock to make a long neck and head. The fun part is the “wool”—let kids glue cotton balls or white yarn all over the body. Add a colorful blanket (saddle) made from fabric scraps on its back.
10. Chilean Flag Mosaic
The Chilean flag looks similar to the Texan flag, but with a proud history of its own. The star represents a guide to progress and honor.
- The Activity: Draw the flag outline on a piece of cardstock. Instead of coloring it, have kids tear up small pieces of red, white, and blue magazines or construction paper. Glue these “tiles” to create a mosaic effect.
11. Arpillera Style Collage
Arpilleras are burlap tapestries that tell a story, often used by women to express political or social themes during difficult times in history.
- The Craft: Use a piece of burlap or coarse fabric as the base. Have kids cut out shapes from felt or fabric scraps—houses, mountains, suns, people—and glue them onto the burlap to create a landscape scene of the Andes mountains.
12. “Guitarrón Chileno” Strummer
Folk music is the heartbeat of Chile. The Guitarrón is a unique Chilean guitar with 25 strings!
- The Craft: Create a guitar shape out of a cereal box. Use rubber bands stretched across a hole cut in the center to make “strings.” Kids can decorate it with patriotic stickers and strum along to Cueca music.
13. Mapuche Headband (Trarilonco)
- The Craft: Create a headband using a strip of cardstock. Discuss the geometric patterns often found in Mapuche textiles—diamonds, stepped crosses, and zig-zags. Let the children draw these patterns using markers, teaching them that these symbols often represent elements of nature like mountains and rivers.
14. Salt Dough Empanadas
You can’t have a Chilean celebration without Empanadas de Pino (meat pies).
- The Activity: Use playdough or salt dough. Roll it out into circles. Place a pretend filling (maybe a crumpled yellow paper) in the middle. Fold it over into a half-moon and practice the “repulgue”—the twisting fold that seals the empanada. Bake or dry them and paint them golden brown.
15. The “Cueca” Dancers
The Craft: Make clothespin dolls dressed in traditional attire. For the “Huaso” (male dancer), use felt to make a poncho and tiny hat. For the “China” (female dancer), use floral fabric to make a flowing dress. The key accessory is a tiny white handkerchief glued to their hand, which is essential for the Cueca dance!