Kwanzaa Activity Ideas Sheet printable pdf download

Kwanzaa-Art

Idea: During our Kwanzaa celebration we make mkeke (mats). Fold a rectangular piece of black

construction paper in half and cut 1 to 2 inch slits in the paper. Cut 1 to 2 inch strips of red and

green paper. Have children weave the red and green strips in and out of the black mat and attach at

either end. Now you have your own mkeke mats!

To reinforce the colors of Kwanzaa, we make a Kwanzaa flag. The children cut red, green, and black

paper. Then they glue the paper onto black paper. When they are finished, they have created their

own Kwanzaa flag. Not only does it reinforce the colors, it also allows them to use their Kumbaa

(creativity). It also develops their fine motor and cutting skills.

One of the Kwanzaa principles is Unity. We used plastic champagne glasses (you can find them at a

grocery store in the picnic isle) and painted them with red and green fabric paint. Now the children

have their own unity glass to use at home.

Kufi(hat)-glue red, green & black strips of paper together so that they all criss-cross in middle (like

a star). Use a black strip of paper as headband (fit to students' heads). Glue ends of each strip of

paper inside headband to make kufi-style hat.

KWANZAA CANDLES-Have children bring in toilet paper rolls. Have childrenpaint them, 3 green, 3

red, and 1 one black. After they are dried, tape the rolls together (double sided tape) and tape or

glue onto a piece of yellow paper. You can use tissue paper as the flame on the top of the candles.

The children really enjoy making this!!

Kwanzaa Necklaces: Dye 3 groups of Mostaciolli noodles red, green, and black with alcohol and

food coloring (you can get black food coloring at craft stores in the cake decorating section). Let

dry. Give each child a piece of yarn with a small piece of masking tape wrapped around one end. Let

each child string the Kwanzaa colored noodles.

Kwanzaa Placemats: Let the children try this version of African cloth dyeing to make placemats

for snack time. Have them dribble rubber cement in designs on sheets of white construction paper.

Allow the glue to dry for about half an hour. Then have the children brush paint over the glue.

When the paint has dried, let the children peel off the rubber cement to reveal the designs they

created.

African Masks: Zebra Masks- Paint the back sides of paper plates with vertical black stripes. When

the paint has dried, glue on nose and ear shapes. Then glue short strips of tissue paper or crepe

paper around the edges of the plates. (To keep the paint from smearing, glue ears and tissue paper

strips to the unpainted sides of the masks.) Leopard Masks- Paint back sides of paper plates yellow.

When the paint has dried use black felt-tip markers or black paint to make spots. Glue on nose and

ear shapes and add tissue paper strips. Elephant Masks- Paint the back sides of paper plates gray.

Glue on trunks, ears and tissue paper strips. When the children have finished, display their masks

on a wall or bulletin board. Or attach tongue depressors for handles and let the children use them

for dramatic play.

Kwanzaa Activity Ideas Sheet