Open a Paper Taco Truck for National Taco Day

The lunch line is three stuffed animals deep and your taco truck is still parked by the scissors. Give the youngest cook a stack of paper tortillas and let the grown-ups wait their turn.

What is National Taco Day?

National Taco Day in the United States falls on the first Tuesday in October. It celebrates tacos and makes a build-your-own meal or pretend food truck a natural family activity.

How Taco Day joined Taco Tuesday

In 2024, Taco Bell worked with National Day Calendar to move the U.S. observance from October 4 to the first Tuesday in October. The change connected the annual event with the familiar Taco Tuesday tradition. Older calendars may still show October 4, so the Tuesday rule is useful when planning. Taco Bell’s account of the 2024 date change.

A simple way to enjoy the day

Offer a few favorite fillings, let everyone name a house special, or open the paper taco truck below. Take turns as cook and customer so each person gets to create an order and help fill one.

Holiday dates for planning

National Taco Day date reference

Open the serving window

Color the truck and fold it into a standing counter. An adult can cut out the serving window so orders can slide through. Name the truck before opening time. A menu with just three fillings is plenty for a first lunch shift.

Build a customer’s taco

Cut out the tortillas and filling tiles. Draw an order and place the matching toppings on a tortilla. Fold it gently and pass it through the window. The customer can check the picture symbols before paying with a very convincing thank-you.

Run the lunch rush

Queue two tickets at once. Let the cook decide which order comes first and read it back to the customer. Swap jobs, invent a house special, and see whether your new cook can fill the order from a drawing alone.

Get the free printable set

Taco Truck Takeover includes three printable US Letter pages. Fold a tabletop taco truck, assemble paper tacos and fill illustrated customer orders.