Kwanzaa is an educational holiday, and Kwanzaa songs are great for reinforcing the holiday’s meanings. You have many choices when it comes to Kwanzaa music for kids, and it all depends on your preferences and the ages of the kids involved in the Kwanzaa activities.

Music Written for Kwanzaa
A great choice is music that features African-style percussion and harmonies that everyone can enjoy listening to together while also getting a sense of African musical traditions. The following songs fit this category:

• "Celebrating Kwanzaa" by Marla Lewis features Swahili vocabulary, explanations of the symbols and themes of Kwanzaa, and a catchy melody.
• "Seven Days of Kwanzaa" by Jacquie Godden teaches the meaning for each day as another candle is lit. It’s a great learning tool, and fun to listen to.
• “Chant and Sing for Kwanzaa: K-W-A-N-Z-A-A!” by Caroline and Danny is catchy and easy to learn the chorus to. Kids will find the language friendly, and the beat makes you want to move.
• “Kwanzaa” by the Learning Station features Swahili words, movements and clapping, as well as what the words mean. This is another great one for getting kids involved while listening and learning.

Consider giving the kids some instruments to shake along, and encourage dancing, too. You can find a good list of this type of song at songsforteaching.com.

Rewritten Lyrics to Popular Songs
You can teach kids some songs that are already familiar but which have lyrics about Kwanzaa included. This is good for very young kids since you won’t have to teach a new melody.

You can find a list of this type of song at perpetualpreschool.com. They include rewritten versions of “Spiderman,” “BINGO,” “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt” and “Ten Little Indians,” among others.