Free Kwanzaa Worksheets for Kids

Kwanzaa worksheets are a meaningful way to help kids connect with the traditions of this celebration while still having fun.

When my son was younger, I found that hands-on activities like coloring the Kinara or matching symbols to their meanings kept him engaged far more than just reading about them.

These worksheets make it easy to introduce the seven principles of Kwanzaa in a child-friendly way, whether you’re using them at home, in the classroom, or during community events.

They’re low-prep for adults but memorable for kids, offering both creativity and cultural learning.

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Kwanzaa Coloring Pages

Inside this free set of Kwanzaa worksheets you’ll find a mix of coloring and activity pages that highlight the key symbols of the holiday.

Kids can color the Kinara candles, learn about the Unity Cup, and practice word matching with traditional Swahili terms.

Each page is designed to be simple enough for younger children while still meaningful for older ones who want to explore the seven principles more deeply.

Whether you’re adding them to a December lesson plan or just looking for a creative way to celebrate at home, these pages give children a chance to enjoy art while connecting with cultural traditions.

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration that began in 1966 as a way to honor African heritage and culture.

It takes place each year from December 26 to January 1, with each day focusing on one of the seven principles, such as unity, creativity, and faith.

The name itself comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits of the harvest.”

For children, learning about Kwanzaa through activities and stories is an approachable way to understand ideas of family, community, and cultural pride.

Kwanzaa Seven Principles

One of the worksheets focuses on the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa, called the Nguzo Saba. Each day of the celebration highlights one of these values:

• Umoja (Unity): Striving to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Defining and naming ourselves, as well as creating and speaking for ourselves.
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Building and maintaining our community together and addressing our shared challenges.
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Supporting and profiting from our businesses and stores together.
• Nia (Purpose): Committing to the development of our community to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
• Kuumba (Creativity): Striving to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
• Imani (Faith): Believing in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness of our struggle.

This worksheet gives children a simple way to see all seven principles at once, making it easier to connect each candle on the Kinara to the value it represents.

Kinara Worksheets

The Kinara is the candle holder used to celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa, holding three red candles, three green candles, and one black candle in the center.

This worksheet gives kids a chance to color each candle while also matching it to the correct date and principle, starting on December 26 and ending on January 1.

It turns the lighting of the Kinara into a hands-on learning activity,children can see how each day connects to a value like Umoja (Unity) or Kuumba (Creativity), making it easier to remember the order and meaning behind the celebration.

Mkeka

Another page introduces the Mkeka, a colorful mat that serves as the foundation for all the other symbols. Children can see how it represents history and heritage, while adding their own creative touches through coloring.

Mazao

The Mazao worksheet shows fruits and crops that symbolize the harvest. It’s a fun way for kids to connect the idea of working together with the rewards of a plentiful harvest, all while practicing fine motor skills through coloring.

Muhindi

Muhindi, or corn, represents children and the promise of the future. On this worksheet, kids can color an ear of corn and learn why it’s included on the Kwanzaa table. It’s a simple but meaningful activity that sparks conversation about the importance of youth.

Kikombe cha Umoja

The Unity Cup worksheet introduces the tradition of sharing a drink to honor ancestors and celebrate togetherness. Kids can color the cup while learning how it represents unity in families and communities.

Zawadi

The Zawadi worksheet focuses on the tradition of giving thoughtful gifts, especially educational ones. Children can decorate the gift illustration while learning that the purpose of these presents is to strengthen family bonds and pass along cultural values.

Kwanzaa Word Match

This worksheet combines coloring with a vocabulary challenge. Children can color festive images of symbols such as the Kinara, Bendera (flag), Muhindi, and Zawadi, then match each picture to its correct name.

It’s a simple but effective way to reinforce the meaning of Kwanzaa symbols while giving kids a chance to practice reading and word recognition skills.

Teachers can use it as a quick December activity, and families will find it works well as a discussion starter during celebrations.

Books About Kwanzaa for Kids

Reading together is one of the easiest ways I’ve found to help kids understand the meaning behind Kwanzaa. These picture books bring the traditions to life in a way that worksheets alone can’t, sparking conversations about family, culture, and values.

Together for Kwanzaa – This sweet story follows Kayla and her family as they prepare for the holiday, weaving in the principles of unity and community in a way kids can relate to.

The Story of Kwanzaa – A beautifully illustrated book that explains the history and symbols of Kwanzaa in simple terms, making it a perfect introduction for younger readers.

My Family Celebrates Kwanzaa – Told through the eyes of a young girl named Adia, this book gives a personal look at how one family celebrates, showing the importance of traditions and family bonds.

Get Your Free Kwanzaa Activity Sheets Here!

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More Kwanzaa Activities

If you’d like to add even more variety to your Kwanzaa lessons, these external activities pair well with the worksheets above:

• Unity Cup DIY (HGTV): A step-by-step project for making a Kikombe cha Umoja, perfect for a family craft that ties into the principle of unity.
• Kwanzaa color by number (Rock Your Homeschool): Kids practice number recognition while coloring Kwanzaa-themed images, reinforcing the holiday’s symbols in a fun way.
• Symbols Matching Freebie (Teachers Pay Teachers): A simple matching game that helps children connect Kwanzaa symbols to their meanings, great for classrooms.
• Fingerprint Corn Craft (Artsy Craftsy Mom): A creative way to explore the importance of corn (Muhindi) using fingerprint art.

Last Updated on 16 September 2025 by Clare Brown