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Kwanzaa for Kids

Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri!

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday celebrated mainly in the US for the week between 26th December and 1st January each year.

The holiday was established in 1966 to help African Americans remember and celebrate their heritage. The word "Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili language and means "first fruits". Each day of the seven days is dedicated to one of "The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa", which are

  1. umoja - to maintain unity in the family and community
  2. kujichagulia - self-determination, to be responsible and speak for oneself
  3. ujima - collective work and responsibility, to build and maintain a community
  4. ujamaa - economic co-operation, to help and profit one another
  5. nia - purpose, to build and develop the community for the benefit of the people
  6. kuumba - creativity, to do everything possible to leave the community more beautiful and beneficial for future generations
  7. imani - faith, to believe in parents, teachers and leaders.

kwanzaa for kids

A candle is lit each day on the special candlestick, the "kimara", to represent these principles. The kimara is placed on a mkeka, a traditional straw mat, and one ear of corn is also placed on the mat for each child in the family. A fruit basket, called a "mazao", is also displayed, along with a special "unity" cup, out of which everyone drinks. Families decorate their homes with traditional African crafts. The colours red, green and black - representing the African flag - are used. Gifts, known as "zawadi", are given on the last day of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa Crafts


We have a collection of Kwanzaa crafts for you to enjoy, inspired by traditional African handicrafts and the colours of Kwanzaa - red, green and black.
Kwanzaa Crafts for kids


Perhaps you could fold 7 candles in Kwanzaa colours?
Origami candle and candleholder

Kwanzaa Puzzles

Kwanzaa puzzles and mazes
Enjoy our collection of Kwanzaa crosswords and word search puzzles.
Kwanzaa puzzles

Kwanzaa Printables

African American notebooking and lapbooking pages
We have a new collection of notebooking pages and mini foldable booklets of famous African-Americans.
Famous People Notebooking Pages

Brandon and Brianna paper dolls
Have fun dressing our collection of paper dolls
Paper Dolls

More Kwanzaa Activities

Children around the world - Africa
Children in traditional African costumes colouring page.
Children around the world - Africa

Corn colouring page
Corn colouring page

How to Incorporate Kwanzaa Into Your Homeschool Curriculum

Back to Holidays for Kids


- Father's Day
- Summer
- Diamond Jubilee
- Canada Day
- Fourth of July
- London Olympics

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Sudoku for Kids
120 Sudoku Puzzles designed just for kids!
Download and print now!

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