Kwanzaa Word Search

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. This puzzle hides the seven principles of Nguzo Saba, symbols such as the kinara and the mkeka, and English words about heritage and community. Use it to spark a conversation or open a classroom lesson.

How to play Kwanzaa Word Search

• Every word in the list is hidden in the letter grid in a straight line.
• Drag across a word with your finger or mouse to select it. The selection snaps to the nearest straight line: across, down or diagonal.
• Prefer tapping? Tap the first letter, then tap the last letter to select everything in between.
• Found words stay highlighted on the grid and are crossed off the list. Find them all to finish the puzzle.
• Easy (10×10) hides words left-to-right and top-to-bottom only. Medium (12×12) adds diagonals. Hard (14×14) uses all eight directions, including backwards. Expert (18×18) and Extreme (22×22) pack in more words on a bigger grid for a real challenge.

Controls

• Drag across letters, or tap the first and last letter of a word.
• Hint flashes the first letter of a word you have not found yet.
• New puzzle builds a fresh grid; your current puzzle is saved automatically.
• Print turns the current grid into a clean printable word search sheet with the word list.

Tips

• The Swahili names look unfamiliar, so read them in the list before you start. KUJICHAGULIA is the longest.
• NIA is only three letters; look for N-I-A in every direction.

Words in this kwanzaa word search

Each puzzle picks a random selection from these 31 words: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, Imani, Kinara, Mishumaa, Mkeka, Kikombe, Zawadi, Karamu, Muhindi, Mazao, Harambee, Unity, Purpose, Creativity, Faith, Principles, Candles, Harvest, Heritage, Family, Community, Celebrate, Colors, Red, Black, Green.

Print this kwanzaa word search

Want paper instead? Open the printable kwanzaa word search for a one-page sheet with a word list and answer key, or try a bigger grid on hard word search. Browse every topic on word search puzzles.

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FAQ

What are the seven principles?

Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). They are celebrated one per day from December 26 to January 1.

Can words overlap?

Yes. Two words can share a letter where they cross, which is a handy clue when you are stuck.

Can I print this word search?

Yes. Press Print (or your browser’s print shortcut) to get a blank, printable copy of the current grid with a word list to tick off. Press New puzzle first for a fresh one.

Is my puzzle saved?

Yes. Your grid, found words and time are saved in this browser, so you can close the page and pick up where you left off.