Interesting Facts about New Mexico
These interesting facts about New Mexico for kids include a hot air balloon festival, White Sands National Monument, the Yucca plant, and Smokey Bear.
This is part of the 50 states unit study as we travel around America, learning about each state’s history. Check out these Arkansas facts for kids below! Find some fun crafts, activities, and books for each state that will engage kids of all ages.
New Mexico is geographically diverse and filled with plains, canyons, caverns, and mountains. It became the 47th state in 1912 with the capital of Santa Fe. It’s known as The Land of Enchantment and has many cool locations and interesting facts.
New Mexico State Facts
Fact One: Hot Air Balloon Festival
Every year in October, Albuquerque hosts the world’s largest hot air balloon festival.
Here are some fun crafts and activities to do with your kids:
- Try this Hot Air Balloon Suncatcher Craft with tissue paper.
- This fun 3D Hot Air Balloon Craft is a fun introduction to STEM learning.
- Read The Noon Balloon with your kids.
- Use paper plates to make this Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon Craft.
- Use a balloon to make this standing Tissue Paper Hot Air Balloon Craft.
Fact Two: White Sands National Monument
This desert is amazing because it’s filled with white gypsum crystals instead of sand!
Here are some fun crafts and activities to do with your kids:
- Grow your own crystals in this activity: Growing Borax Crystals on Pipe Cleaners.
- Try your hand at growing salt crystals overnight.
- Read What’s Great about New Mexico?
- Make your own crystal snowflakes and turn them into Christmas ornaments.
- These crystal rainbows are fun to make for kids of all ages.
Fact Three: New Mexico’s State Flower is the Yucca
Yucca leaves are amazingly versatile. You can eat them or use them to make rope, baskets, or even sandals.
Here are some fun crafts and activities to do with your kids:
- Make these cute cactus plants out of paper with your kids.
- This 3D Paper Cactus Craft is a great homemade gift.
- Read Trees, Leaves, Flowers, and Seeds with your kids.
- Get your kids involved in STEM with this Garden Sensory Bin.
- This Mosaic Cactus Craft is made with cut-out paper and cute fluffy flowers.
Shop My Homeschool Room:
The following homeschool picks of mine can be found on Etsy. Simply click the image that interests you – yes, they do contain affiliate links.
Fact Four: Smokey Bear became the National Fire Safety Symbol
A little black bear was found trapped in a tree in 1950 and was made the National Fire Safety Symbol as Smokey Bear when his home, Lincoln National Forest, was destroyed by fire in 1963.
Here are some fun crafts and activities to do with your kids:
- These fun Smokey Bear coloring pages will keep your kids busy for hours.
- Make this fun Bear Hug Card for a gift.
- Read Don’t Feed the Bear with your kids.
- Make an origami bear with this fun craft.
- Paint a bear with a fork!
Fact Five: Native American Pueblos
Pueblos are a style of home for the Pueblo people. You can see these distinct homes all over New Mexico.
Here are some fun crafts and activities to do with your kids:
- Build your own Pueblo cardboard box town.
- Create a Pueblo with cardboard and clay with your kids.
- Read Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale.
- Make a Pueblo shoebox diorama.
- Create Pueblo pottery with your kids in this fun craft.
