Here are some November activities that are perfect for families.
Thanksgiving
Kids might still be counting their Halloween loot, but November is the time to look forward to Thanksgiving for many people. Raise thankful kids with a month-long lesson on Thanksgiving, its origin, and its true meaning. Also, show your kids you’re thankful for them with games and other activities you do as a family throughout the month. You also can enlist your kids in your Thanksgiving meal planning and decorating. And do some Thanksgiving-related crafts, such as handprint turkeys.
The Last Days of Fall
Depending on where you live, November can mean the last of the nice weather until spring. The fall season will soon come to a close, so make the most of it by getting your family outdoors. There are many fall-related activities you can still take part in with your kids. For instance, have a bonfire complete with s’mores. Go birdwatching to spot all of the interesting migrating species that you don’t often see in your area. Or collect and identify leaves that have dropped from trees. You could even get your kids involved in your fall yard work, complete with jumping into leaf piles.
Child Safety and Protection Month
You want your children to be safe and protected all year long. And with November being Child Safety and Protection Month, there’s no better time to teach them the fundamentals of staying safe. Teach your kids about dangerous situations and how to be aware of their surroundings. Make sure your home is properly childproofed if you have young children. And go over fire safety tips with your family. This is also a good time to discuss any emergency plans with your family, such as those for tornadoes or earthquakes.
Aviation History Month
Many little kids love airplanes, and November has a special treat in store for them: It’s Aviation History Month. It doesn’t matter if you’re not planning on jetting off somewhere. You can still teach your kids about the history of aviation and the first flight. You also can make model airplanes or have a paper airplane competition. You might even turn your living room into a pretend airplane by lining up rows of chairs and having your kids come “aboard” with suitcases to watch a movie and enjoy some snacks.
National Model Railroad Month
In addition to planes, November also celebrates model trains. This gives you and your children a fun way to play together. Introduce young kids to the childhood favorite: Thomas the Tank Engine. Or build your own custom model railroad complete with tracks, trains, buildings, and people. There are many models available for all ages. In fact, you might enjoy building them so much that you find yourself playing with the trains long after your kids have gone to bed.
Peanut Butter Lovers Month
If your kids love peanut butter, November might just become their favorite month. Get in the kitchen with your children, and try out some peanut butter recipes for Peanut Butter Lovers Month. Also take this time to talk to your kids about peanut allergies. It’s important for children to understand that passing a peanut butter sandwich or candy with nuts to someone with allergies can be very dangerous. So teach your kids to be aware of the foods they eat and to respect the dietary restrictions of others, too.
National Epilepsy Month
November is National Epilepsy Month, a time to raise awareness of the condition that affects millions of people, including children. Use this month to teach your kids about epilepsy and how to recognize signs of a seizure. This might someday allow them to help a family member, friend, or classmate. The Epilepsy Foundation offers first-aid advice for seizures, along with other information that can help both children and adults alike become more educated on the condition.
National Adoption Month
National Adoption Month presents an opportunity to talk to your kids about families and how they’re formed. Explain what adoption is to your kids if they’re unsure. And discuss the various types of families beyond biological and adoptive relatives. Make sure your kids don’t see any one type of family as “normal” and other types as “different” or “strange.” When children learn to embrace all types of family dynamics, it encourages them them to grow into well-rounded, tolerant, and empathetic adults.
