Kwanzaa is a beautiful celebration of African-American culture, heritage, and community. It’s more than just a holiday it’s a chance to connect with family, reflect on values, and embrace unity. While many people focus on the ceremonial aspects of Kwanzaa, like lighting the kinara or sharing a feast, there’s no reason why the festivities can't be filled with playful activities too.
Games are a perfect way to bring everyone together, especially when they embody the essence of Kwanzaa’s seven principles: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
If you’re planning a Kwanzaa celebration this year, consider adding these meaningful and fun party games. We’ll also show you how Pick Me Up Game can seamlessly fit into your Kwanzaa festivities. Let’s get started!
The Kwanzaa Display Challenge
Best for: Kids, teens, and adults
What you need: Kinara, mkeka (mat), mazao (crops), muhindi (corn), zawadi (gifts), and other symbolic Kwanzaa items.
Kick off your Kwanzaa celebration with a friendly display competition. Split your group into teams and challenge each team to create their own symbolic Kwanzaa display. Each team must incorporate the seven core Kwanzaa items (kinara, candles, mkeka, mazao, etc.) into their display. Encourage them to use household items, crafts, or even their imaginations to complete the task.
Once complete, have a judge (perhaps the family elder) decide which team best captured the essence of Kwanzaa. The real fun comes from hearing the explanations of each team's creative choices. You’ll be amazed by the unique interpretations of the seven principles.
The Kwanzaa Grid Game (Inspired by "Muhindi")
Best for: Small to large groups
What you need: A homemade grid on paper or a board, corn kernels, beads, or small tokens.
This simple yet thoughtful game is inspired by the significance of muhindi (corn) during Kwanzaa. Draw a grid (like tic-tac-toe but larger) on a piece of paper or board. Each player gets to place a "corn kernel" (or any token) on the board in turns. The goal? Align tokens in a row, column, or diagonal.
For an extra Kwanzaa twist, assign each row or column to one of the seven principles. Players must say a short sentence about how they’ve lived or seen that principle in action before placing their token. It’s a wonderful way to reflect on the meaning of Kwanzaa while playing.
Pick Me Up Game – Kwanzaa Edition
Best for: Adults 18+ (for a more lighthearted and fun approach)
What you need: The Pick Me Up Game (which includes scenario cards and pickup line cards)
Sometimes, the best way to honor family and community is through shared joy and playful fun. While Kwanzaa focuses on reflection and growth, it’s also about coming together as a family. Pick Me Up Game can be a playful addition to your gathering.
Here’s how you can customize it for Kwanzaa:
- Create a "Kwanzaa Scenario" for each round using cultural themes (like "You're introducing yourself to your community on the first day of Kwanzaa").
- Use the pickup lines from the game to respond to the scenario, but with a Kwanzaa twist.
- The "Hot Date" (the judge) picks the most creative or funniest line.
For example, the scenario could be: "It’s the Ujamaa marketplace, and you’re trying to sell your handmade crafts. What’s your best opening line?" This playful spin keeps the tradition alive while letting everyone have a great time together.
Chip Clip Poetry (Inspired by "Kwanzaa Mazao")
Best for: Groups of all ages
What you need: Word cards, index cards, or paper clips.
This game celebrates Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith) by encouraging participants to create their own poetry. Write down words related to Kwanzaa on index cards (like "Unity," "Corn," "Candle," "Heritage," etc.). Attach them to a board or line them up on a table.
Each player picks 5-7 random words and must use them to create an original Kwanzaa-inspired poem. For example, if someone draws the words "Purpose," "Community," "Faith," "Love," and "Zawadi," their poem might be:
"With purpose, we gather to lift our community.
With faith, we grow strong in love.
And in the spirit of zawadi, we gift each other more than material things we give heart and hope."
Players can perform their poems or write them on paper to share with the group. This game honors Kwanzaa’s emphasis on storytelling, reflection, and creativity.
The Carpet Game (Inspired by "Mkeka")
Best for: Family groups with kids and adults
What you need: A woven mat (or a large piece of paper or fabric) and space to play.
The Mkeka (woven mat) represents the foundation of Kwanzaa. To honor this, you can create a “floor is lava” style challenge where players must make their way across the “foundation” without stepping off.
Lay down a mkeka (or use a makeshift mat) on the floor. Each player must cross it while carrying symbolic items like a candle, fruit, or a small gift. If they drop anything or step off the mat, they must start over. This game celebrates Ujima (collective work) as family members encourage each other and help them across the mat.
You can add extra challenges by making players name one of the Kwanzaa principles before each step. It’s a symbolic, active way to teach kids about the importance of the seven principles.
Drumming Circle & Rhythm Challenge
Best for: Kids, teens, and adults
What you need: Drums (or pots, pans, or any household percussion instrument)
African drumming is a classic part of Kwanzaa celebrations, representing the music and cultural vibrance of the African diaspora. But why not turn it into a game?
Start a rhythm, and each player has to repeat it with a twist. For instance, if Player 1 drums boom-boom-tap, Player 2 has to repeat that but add an extra tap at the end (boom-boom-tap-tap). If someone forgets the rhythm, they’re out for that round.
To add a deeper Kwanzaa connection, have each player say one of the principles (like “Unity”) before they drum their rhythm. By the end, everyone will have shared and embodied the values of Kwanzaa in a fun, musical way.
African Proverb Puzzle
Best for: Groups of kids or adults
What you need: Printouts or handmade puzzle pieces of African proverbs.
Kwanzaa is a time for reflection on wisdom passed down through generations. To honor this, create a puzzle game using famous African proverbs. Write down a popular proverb, cut it into pieces, and challenge groups to put it back together.
For example, if you choose the proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," you can cut it into strips and see who can reassemble it the fastest.
Ujamaa Marketplace Role-Play
Best for: Kids, teens, and adults
What you need: Play money, "store items" (crafts, art, or toys), and a "market space."
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) is one of the most significant principles of Kwanzaa. Set up a pretend marketplace where family members "buy" and "sell" goods. Kids can craft their own "products" like drawings, handmade jewelry, or paper flowers. Use fake money or tokens as currency.
This game teaches financial literacy and the concept of supporting Black businesses. As players “buy” items, they must explain how their purchase supports the principle of Ujamaa.
