Kwanzaa Games for Children – Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday celebrated during the end of the month of December each year. From December 26th to January 1st, Kwanzaa is in the air, as each day focuses on the seven principles of Nguzo Saba. Those principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Swahili is no stranger to Kwanzaa for they offered Kwanzaa a meaning, “first fruits”. Kwanzaa celebrations sparked during 1966 when Kwanzaa was originated. Kwanzaa is celebrated all around the world. Kwanzaa games for children can keep the children learning of Kwanzaa, and offer much fun. Here are some great easy games that your children can play during the Kwanzaa holiday.
Counting in Swahili
Count ten in Kiswahili at record time (even backwards)! When one child messes up a word, the next child begins. The one that “counts” the fastest, wins. But what do they win? Fast Freddie is the first one to try the next Kwanzaa game suggested below.
One – moja
Two – wili
Three – tatu
Four – nne
Five – tano
Six – sita
Seven – saba
Eight – nane
Nine – tisa
Ten – kumi
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Circle of Life, a Peaceful Activity
The seven principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Items Needed:
Two hats, three sheets of paper (Kwanzaa decorated if possible), a set of washable pens, or markers
Game Instructions:
Pre-cut 28 little squares of paper to fit one word upon each. Have the children sit in a circle quietly while they write a funny word with the pen (or marker) provided upon their piece of paper. At this time you will write the seven principles (listed above), one for each square piece of paper. You are going to begin with the first principle again after reaching the seventh principle, in other words, you will have two of each principal on 14 pieces of paper in total. Stick the funny words into one hat, and the Kwanzaa principles into another. Have a child pick out from each hat, and ask them to use the words in one sentence. As the hat goes around, so does the laughter during this peaceful Kwanzaa game of unity.
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Put the “U” in Unity: The Kwan-Pom
Give me a “U”! For the girls of Kwanzaa, they love to cheer on their holiday. And with cheering comes pom-poms, but with Kwanzaa comes the Kwan-Pom. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a pom-pom, and a great activity idea on how to use them.
Items Needed:
Tissue paper of Kwanzaa colors (red, green, and black), a string (one foot per each child), bag of mini-bells
Instructions:
Cut the tissue paper into long one inch strips until you have a large pile of cut tissue paper. Place the string down upon a table. Lay the tissue paper neatly on top of the string. Tie the string in the center portion with ease so that you do not tare the tissue paper. Take a mini-bell, and connect it to the center of your homemade Kwan-Pom, and jingle your creation. The last thing you would need to do is take a larger strand of string, and make a handle for your Kwan-Pom. To add fluff to your Kwan-Pom, place some of the tissue paper of the Kwan-Pom into your hands, and roll your hands as if you were getting ready to roll dice. Do this with caution since, again, you do not want to tare the tissue paper. With this Kwan-Pom comes a great cheer by the little ladies of Kwanzaa.
Creating a Kwanzaa cheer can be much fun, so give me a “U”, give me a “N”, an “I”, then “T”, and “Y”? Because it’s Kwanzaa! The children can create a cheer based on the principle words of Kwanzaa; unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
For the boys, they can be the audience (minus Simon Junior). How cute Kwanzaa can be when including fun activities for both girls and boys.
Tic Tac Toe Kwanzaa with Billy Bear is a fun and easy way for any young child to celebrate Kwanzaa. A child clicks upon each block until someone has reached tic tac toe status. Once they do, the computer let’s you know. To play this Kwanzaa game visit Billy Bear.
Kwanzaa is a special time of the year for everyone. It reminds humans of the wisdom within life. With these games, children learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, a great way to celebrate Kwanzaa.
