How to Make a Felt Kwanzaa Kinara

Children like to learn about the December holidays. Enhance their studies about the holiday of Kwanzaa through this easy-to-make felt kinara for Kwanzaa.

Materials Needed:

*Dark-colored 8 1/2" x 11" felt rectangle
*Gold or light brown piece of felt, at least 8 1/2" by 6"
*Remnants of red, green, black, and yellow felt
*Glue gun

How to Create a Felt Kinara:

1. Cut out a kinara shape from the gold or light brown piece of felt. The kinara is a candelabra often shaped like a Hanukkah menorah, only it has seven candle spaces, instead of nine. Or, create a pyramid-shape with steps for each candle, as in the picture.

2. Center the felt kinara on the bottom of the dark-colored felt piece. Use a glue gun to mount it in place.

3. Cut out candles from the red, green, and black felt remnants. These should measure about 3" tall by 1/2 inch wide. You will need one black, three red, and three green. It won't hurt to make extras for back-up.

4. Cut out small flame shapes from the yellow felt remnant. You will need seven for this activity, but make extras to have on hand.

5. Glue the flames to the candles, or leave them separate for an additional step in the activity.

How to Use the Felt Kinara as a Teaching Tool

1. Discuss the purpose and symbolism of the kinara at Kwanzaa.

2. Place one candle at a time on the kinara, "lighting" it if the flames are not already attached to the candles. The black candle is "lit" first, in the center of the kinara. It is followed by a red candle just to the left, then a green candle immediately to the right. Continue to alternate red and green, working your way down the sides of the kinara.

3. Mention the Kwanzaa principle for each day, as well as a brief explanation of its meaning, as each candle is placed on the kinara.

4. Make the felt kinara available for an independent activity.

How to Set Up the Felt Kinara

1. Place the felt kinara and background on a tray.

2. Place the candles in a small basket or bowl on top of the tray. If the flames are separate from the candles, they will require their own small bowl or basket.

3. Put the activity in your holiday or culture section.

The felt kinara for Kwanzaa is a safe representation of the holiday tradition, that can be enjoyed by young children.