Mexico is a beautiful place to raise children. I remember when my son was a baby it was impossible to get through the grocery store without stopping repeatedly for some nice person to rub my son’s chubby cheeks and to say sweet things to him. This culture is very family-oriented, and Mexico loves children! No surprise, then, that Mexico embraced the idea of an international children’s day that was created at the World Conference for the Well-Being of Children in Geneva in 1925. Each country chose its own day to celebrate, and here in Mexico it is April 30, “El Día Del Niño.”
There are many ways to celebrate Children’s Day. Most schools cancel classes and throw big parties with clowns, games, water fights, tug of war, and of course, piñatas! There is lots of candy, and face painting as well. Around town, different stores and businesses will have sales on things for kids, or will hand out free candy.
So, if you’re here in Puerto Vallarta on April 30, join in the fun, and give a special “hello” to any children you see that day.
The following are the lyrics to a popular song that is often sung on Children's Day:
SPANISH:
Bate, bate, chocolate,
Tu nariz de cacahuate.
Uno, dos, tres, CHO!
Uno, dos, tres, CO!
Uno, dos, tres, LA!
Uno, dos, tres, TE!
Chocolate, chocolate!
Bate, bate, chocolate!
Bate, bate, bate, bate,
Bate, bate, CHOCOLATE!
ENGLISH:
Stir, stir, chocolate,
Your nose is a peanut.
One, two, three, CHO!
One, two, three, CO!
One, two, three, LA!
One, two, three, TE!
Chocolate, chocolate!
Stir, stir, chocolate!
Stir, stir, stir, stir,
Stir, stir, CHOCOLATE!
