Kwanzaa Harvest Calabash

Why

Children are enthusiastic participants in family celebrations. Channel their energy and small-motor skills into making this keepsake calabash.


Steps

1. Talk about the meaning of Kwanzaa, first fruits of the harvest. Discuss the symbols and principles of Kwanzaa and how the holiday is celebrated by African American families and communities.

2. To make your own decorative harvest calabash (a dried gourd from a calabash tree), use Crayola® Crayons to draw and color a variety of colorful harvest fruits and vegetables on construction paper. Cut out your drawings with Crayola Scissors.

3. Mix equal parts of Crayola School Glue and water. Brush glue mixture onto the inside of a paper bowl with a Crayola Paint Brush. Place each drawing on the wet bowl surface. Brush more glue mixture over drawings until the inside of your bowl is covered. Dry.

4. Tear a brown paper lunch bag into small pieces. Attach pieces to edges and outside of bowl by brushing the glue mixture on the bowl and over each piece. Dry.

5. Add crayon designs to the outside of your Kwanzaa Harvest Calabash bowl. Display it with other decorative Kwanzaa items.

Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

Related Crafts

Crafts

 

Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Paint Brushes
  • Crayons
  • No-Run School Glue
  • Blunt-Tip Scissors
household supplies
  • construction paper
  • lunch bags
  • bowls (paper)

Where & When

"My son made this calabash on Kuumba Day to demonstrate the value of creativity."
Erik C., father of 4-year-old.

"My nieces and nephews really enjoyed making calabashes. They added so much beauty to our table."
Dalila K, aunt of seven.


Interesting Info

Kwanzaa is celebrated by many African Americans and others from December 26 through January 1. The holiday was started by Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, in 1966.