Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage and culture that takes place from December 26th to January 1st each year. The holiday is centered around seven core principles, known as the Nguzo Saba. Music and song are integral parts of Kwanzaa festivities. Singing helps teach children about Kwanzaa in a fun and engaging way.
In this post, we’ve compiled the top Kwanzaa songs to sing with your kids or students. These simple, lively tunes will have everyone dancing and celebrating. The songs cover key aspects of the holiday – from the symbolic colors and candles to the unity, faith and creativity Kwanzaa represents.
Keep reading for the best kid-friendly options, complete with lyrics set to familiar nursery rhyme melodies.
Kwanzaa Songs for Kids and Preschoolers
Kwanzaa’s Here
Sung to: “Three Blind Mice”
This song introduces children to the colors of Kwanzaa and the practice of lighting candles.
Red, green, black,
Red, green, black.
Kwanzaa’s here,
Kwanzaa’s here.
The decorations are quite a sight,
We light a candle every night,
The holiday is filled with light.
Kwanzaa’s here.
Kwanzaa’s Here 2
Sung to: “Three Blind Mice”
This song encourages excitement for Kwanzaa and talks about gathering with family and eating traditional foods.
I can’t wait,
I can’t wait
To celebrate,
To celebrate.
We’ll gather with friends and family,
We’ll eat all the food eventually
Special corn for kids like me,
I can’t wait.
Unity Song
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
This song teaches the principle of Umoja (Unity) and emphasizes coming together as a community.
Twinkle, twinkle, unity,
Bringing us together, you and me.
Like one big family, we stand,
Holding each other’s hand,
Twinkle, twinkle, unity,
Binding our community.
The Seven Candles
Sung to: “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep”
This song introduces the seven candles of Kwanzaa and what each represents.
Baa, baa, seven candles,
Do you know what they mean?
Yes, sir, yes, sir,
Seven principles seen.
One for unity, one for self-determination,
Cooperative economics and cooperative creation,
Purpose, creativity, and faith so keen,
Seven candles for Kwanzaa, shining bright and clean.
Harvest Time
Sung to: “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
This song teaches about the harvest and its importance in Kwanzaa celebrations.
Old MacDonald had a farm, Kwanzaa time is here,
And on his farm he had some corn, Kwanzaa time is here,
With a husk-husk here, and a husk-husk there,
Here a husk, there a husk, everywhere a husk-husk,
Old MacDonald had a farm, celebrating Kwanzaa cheer.
The Nguzo Saba
Sung to: “The Wheels on the Bus”
This song introduces the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) in a fun and memorable way.
The Nguzo Saba goes round and round,
Round and round, round and round,
The Nguzo Saba goes round and round,
All through the Kwanzaa days.
Unity, self-determination,
Collective work and responsibility,
Cooperative economics, purpose,
Creativity, and faith.
Kwanzaa March
Sung to: “The Ants Go Marching”
This song is a playful march that teaches about the Kwanzaa parade and encourages kids to celebrate together.
The Kwanzaa march is coming through, hoorah, hoorah,
The Kwanzaa march is coming through, hoorah, hoorah,
The Kwanzaa march is coming through,
We’ll all celebrate, me and you,
And we all go marching down to the ground
To celebrate, boom, boom, boom.
Lighting the Kinara
Sung to: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
This song focuses on the tradition of lighting the Kinara and what each candle symbolizes.
Mary had a little Kinara, Kinara, Kinara,
Mary had a little Kinara, with candles red, green, and black.
Each candle has a meaning, meaning, meaning,
Each candle has a meaning, for Kwanzaa nights so bright.
Kwanzaa Feast
Sung to: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
This song is about the Kwanzaa feast (Karamu) and encourages kids to enjoy the delicious food and company.
If you’re happy and you know it, enjoy the feast,
If you’re happy and you know it, enjoy the feast,
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, enjoy the feast.
Kwanzaa Dance
Sung to: “Hokey Pokey”
This fun song gets kids moving with a Kwanzaa-themed dance.
You put your right hand in, you take your right hand out,
You put your right hand in, and you shake it all about,
You do the Kwanzaa dance and you turn yourself around,
That’s what it’s all about.
Happy Kwanzaa
Sung to: “Happy Birthday”
This song is a Kwanzaa version of the “Happy Birthday” song, celebrating the holiday.
Happy Kwanzaa to us all,
Happy Kwanzaa to us all,
Happy Kwanzaa, dear friends and family,
Happy Kwanzaa to us all.
Kwanzaa Colors
Sung to: “London Bridge”
This song teaches about the Kwanzaa colors and their meanings.
Red, green, and black are here to stay,
Here to stay, here to stay,
Red, green, and black are here to stay,
For Kwanzaa’s festive days.
The Corn Song
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
This song teaches about the symbolic meaning of corn in Kwanzaa.
Row, row, row your corn,
Gently in the field,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Kwanzaa’s yield is real.
Kwanzaa Gifts
Sung to: “Jingle Bells”
This song talks about the gifts given during Kwanzaa and the joy of giving and receiving.
Kwanzaa gifts, Kwanzaa gifts,
Gifts for you and me,
Oh what fun it is to give
In the Kwanzaa jubilee.
Kwanzaa Dreams
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
This song encourages children to dream and aspire, reflecting on Kwanzaa’s principles.
Twinkle, twinkle Kwanzaa dreams,
Bright and bold, they gleam and gleam,
Dreams of unity and pride,
Love and hope we hold inside,
Twinkle, twinkle Kwanzaa dreams,
Fulfilling our heartfelt themes.
Conclusion
Kwanzaa offers a wonderful opportunity to impart cultural values onto children through music and celebration. We hope this collection of upbeat, educational songs inspires your Kwanzaa observances this year. Feel free to pick and choose tunes to fit your needs. Most importantly, have fun coming together in the cherished spirit of Umoja!
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these Kwanzaa songs appropriate for?
The songs shared here are intended for preschoolers and elementary school-aged children. With their simple lyrics paired to well-known nursery rhyme melodies, they are easy for young kids to follow.
Where can I access recordings of the song melodies?
While the full song lyrics have been provided, it’s helpful to hear the familiar nursery rhyme tunes they are set to. If unsure of a melody, search for the song title on YouTube for recordings.
Can I revise lyrics or melodies to better suit different ages?
Absolutely! Feel free to tweak lyrics to be simpler for toddlers or more complex for older children. You can also set lyrics to different nursery rhyme melodies as desired. Make the songs work for your purposes.
What are some fun movements or activities to accompany these songs?
Consider acting out lighting the Kinara candles, harvesting corn, or marching in a parade. Craft homemade instruments like shakers or drums to play along. Or print out Kwanzaa color sheets for kids to hold up at relevant parts. Get creative in making these interactive!
How else can I incorporate music into our Kwanzaa celebrations?
In addition to singing songs, play traditional African instruments like kalimbas or djembes. Have children put on their own ‘concert’ of Kwanzaa songs for family. Or try traditional African dances and rhythms to bring the festivities to life!