Celebrating Kwanzaa with Young Children: Crafts

In 1966, Maulana Karenga wanted to restore cultural traditions to the African American people and created a the winter holiday called Kwanzaa. Now celebrated by more than 18 million people in the United States alone, Kwanzaa, which means "fresh fruits" in the African language of Kiswahili, has become an integral part of the holiday season.

The holiday, which commemorates traditional African harvest festivals, celebrates the seven principals of Kwanzaa. These key elements of Kwanzaa can be appreciated by people of all faiths and cultures: unity, self-determination, working together, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Small gifts, usually homemade, are given each day through the holiday, with the final festival being held on New Year's Day. 

Take this opportunity to teach your family about Kwanzaa with these fun activities for children of all ages.

-A Special Placemat

No matter your cultural or religious background, this is indeed the season to have fun and decorate your home in festive colors and ornaments. You can celebrate Kwanzaa by weaving a special placemat, or a Mkeba, to be used at your holiday table.

Take a sheet of black construction paper and fold it in half lengthwise. Using chalk, draw horizontal one-inch lines from the fold to within one inch of each edge. With the paper folded in half, cut on these lines, but be sure not to cut all the way to either edge. Next, cut several one-inch wide, horizontal strips of red and green construction paper. Weave these strips through your black piece of construction paper, alternating the two colors. For added holiday flair, stick holiday stickers on the front of the finished placemat. You can also cover the placemat with clear contact or adhesive paper, or have it laminated, durability and easy clean up.

-The Countdown Calendar

Waiting for a holiday is very difficult for young children. The following activity makes the time go by faster as your child anticipates each day and sees actual progress toward the long-awaited celebration. Glue Hershey's Kisses on the face of a length of ribbon (about one yard long by one and one-half inches wide should do). You will need 26 ribbons for your Kwanzaa calendar. Glue a jingle bell to the bottom of the ribbons (glue guns work great for this task, but only under adult supervision). Print the following poem on an index card and attach to the top of this candy calendar. Hang the completed craft on the wall where the child can visit it daily.

December 1st 'til Kwanzaa is the longest time of the year.
The thoughts of homemade gifts and treats hoping to be near.
How many days 'til Kwanzaa? It's mighty hard to count.
So this little candy ribbon will tell you the amount.
Remove a KISS every night when the sandman casts a spell.
And Kwanzaa will be here by the time you reach the bell.

-Mosaic Kwanzaa Candles

Kwanzaa candles represent the past, present, and future of African-American culture. To make your own Kwanzaa candles, first draw a Kinara, or candle holder, on Manila paper (younger children will need help from an adult). You'll need to make seven candles for your Kwanzaa celebration: three red candles (for past suffering and struggle), a black candle for the center (representing the people), and three green candles (for hope for the future). Have your child cut small rectangles of construction paper to build each candle. Glue the candles onto the Manila paper with the Kinara drawn on it. Use yellow crayons to color the flames.

As you participate in these Kwanzaa activities together, enjoy the creative artwork and bonding between parent and child. These projects bring the spirit of celebrating Kwanzaa alive.