{This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Disney Channel and Latina Bloggers Connect}
Even from a very young age, I’d often find my daughter dancing while watching her favorite princess on Disney Junior or dressing and playing with her collection of dolls inspired by Disney’s princesses. Over the years, I’ve watched how Disney has endeavored to diversify the characters and stories portrayed on-screen in an effort to connect little boys and girls in a way that is relevant and reflective of their life experience.
On Friday, July 22nd, 2016, little girls can join Princess Elena of Avalor on her adventures as she takes her place as leader and protector of this magical kingdom. As one of Disney’s teen princesses, she serves as a role model to young girls, portraying the qualities that great leaders possess including kindness, fortitude, bravery and benevolence. But Princess Elena doesn’t face the task of saving her kingdom from the evil sorceress alone. She has a Grand Council which includes her grandparents, cousin and Chancellor Esteban, and new friend Naomi.
As a Latina mom raising bicultural children, I’m constantly struggling to find ways to teach them about what makes them Puerto Rican. Language, food, and cultural practices comprise a significant part of a person’s culture, but there are also defining physical characteristics. I appreciate that Disney has introduced a new princess that my daughter can relate to on multiple levels. We’ve also enjoyed the Latin influences throughout the kingdom, inspired by our culture and folklore.
In anticipation of the premiere of Elena of Avalor on the Disney Channel on July 22nd, my daughter and I have been talking about why Elena is so special and significant to us. As a bicultural family, I have to make purported efforts to weave in their Puerto Rican culture. The debut of the show allows for us to talk about things like language, mannerisms, and practices that reflect the Hispanic culture.
To celebrate the royal inauguration of Disney’s first Latina Princess, here are 7 Elena of Avalor Crafts, Recipes, Activities and Printables:
Avaloran Buñuelos
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 egg
- Vegetable Oil
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
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Mix flour, milk, and egg in a bowl with an electric mixer until everything is smooth
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Place vegetable oil in a large pan and turn on heat
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Once oil is heated, place the rosette in the hot oil
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Dip the hot rosette 3/4 of the way into the batter (do not dip the entire rosette into the batter)
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Dip the batter-dipped rosette into the frying pan for up to 5 seconds or until golden brown
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Place the buñuelos on top of a plate with a paper towel
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Combine 1/2 cup ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar and place into a container
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Place 1-2 buñuelos in the container with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Shake lightly so they don't crack
Flower Headband
Supplies
- Tissue Paper
- Pipe Cleaners
- Floral Wire
- Scissors
Instructions
- Layer 2-3 sheets of tissue paper
- Cut tissue paper into a square. The size of the flowers will depend on the size of the square
- Fold the tissue paper into an accordion. Cut the ends of the accordion into a semi-circle to make your petals rounded
- Twist pipe cleaner around the center of the folded accordion
- Open each layer of the tissue paper out to make your flower
- Repeat steps 2-5 to make multiple flowers
- Wrap floral wire and shape into a large circle to create a headband
- Twist the pipe cleaners from the flowers around the floral wire tightly. Trim off excess pipe cleaners
- Adjust the size of the floral wire headband to fit your princess
Elena’s Bracelet
Supplies
- Gold Rope String
- Blue-Green String
- Scissors
Instructions
- Cut 6 equal pieces of gold rope string long enough to make a bracelet
- Cut 12 equal pieces of blue-green string the same length as the gold
- use a small piece of gold rope to tie all pieces together tightly on one end
- Separate into 3 groups of 2 gold and 4 blue-green each
- Braid bracelet
- Tie off second end with remaining gold rope and trim off excess string from both sides
DIY Scepter
Supplies
- Paper Towel Tube
- Interactive Jewel
- Scissors
- Pen
- Paper Clips
- Decor items such as sequins, jewels, ribbon, gold paint
Instructions
- Make your interactive scepter jewel activity
- Decorate paper towel tube
- Add paper clips to the base of the jewel to keep it closed
- Place the jewel at one end of the tube, face up
- Use a pen to mark the outside of the tube where the four folded edges of the jewel sit
- Make 4 cuts where you drew the marks
- Insert the jewel into the tube slits
- Remove the jewel activity and paper clips to play the game
Seasoned Fruit
Ingredients
- Fruit
- Limes
- Chili Powder
- Salt
- Gather your favorite fruits and cut into pieces
- Pour lime juice over the top of the fruit
- Sprinkle with salt and chili powder to taste
3D Jaquin Activity
Build Skylar the Jaquin with this easy paper craft
Table Runner
Make your own Elena of Avalor Table Runner using Fabric Markers
Elena of Avalor Twitter Party
Join us for a Twitter Party to celebrate the premiere of Elena of Avalor on July 21st, 2016 at 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT. Simply RSVP here and join us using the hashtag #ElenaOfAvalorTwitterParty.
This is a sponsored campaign in collaboration with Disney Channel and Latina Bloggers Connect, however all opinions and text are all mine.
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