30 Days of Play in November

Last month, I began a new series, giving you simple and inexpensive play ideas for every day of the month. You asked for me to keep these posts coming every month, and so here are 30 fresh new play ideas for the month of November!

Plus, since the season of Thanksgiving is upon us, check out these Thanksgiving traditions.

November 1–7

1. Play Balloon Tennis

Tape a paper plate to a paint stick for the tennis racket, and use a balloon as the tennis ball.

2. Build a Town Out of Cardboard Boxes

Cut holes for doors and windows, decorate the “buildings” with construction paper, crayons, glitter, or whatever else you have on hand, and use small toys and figures to occupy your town.

3. Pretend to Be Detectives

Create clues for the kids to follow and see if they can solve the mystery!

4. Play Traditional Birthday Party Games

Play birthday party games even if it’s nobody’s birthday.

5. Watch a Thanksgiving Movie

Watch a Thanksgiving movie together after the big dinner.

6. Act Out a Children’s Book

Act out a children’s book, like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

7. Do Karaoke

November 8–14

8. Set Up a Science Lab

Set up a science lab with beakers, test tubes, water, color tablets, and measuring spoons.

9. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Visit a local pumpkin patch in your local community.

10. Make a Pumpkin Pie

Make a pumpkin pie together with the pumpkin you picked at the patch.

11. Create a Diet Coke and Mentos Explosion

Try a Diet Coke and Mentos explosion for some fun outdoor science.

12. Paint Each Other’s Faces

Paint each other’s faces with face paint.

13. Make a Homemade Corn Pit

Fill a small baby pool with two 50-pound bags of corn from the local feed store. Add shovels and buckets.

14. Visit a Planetarium or Science Center

Visit a local planetarium or science center.

November 15–21

15. Go Bird Watching

Grab binoculars and go bird watching.

16. Play Video Games Together

Play video games together.

17. Make a Thanksgiving Craft

Make a Thanksgiving craft. Here are plenty to choose from.

18. Make Glow-in-the-Dark Balloons

Blow up balloons with glow sticks inside and hang them from the bedroom ceiling for delightful nightlights.

19. Make Homemade Ice Cream

Make homemade ice cream together. Here’s how.

20. Play I Spy

Play I Spy.

21. Make New Crayons From Old Ones

Peel the paper off broken crayons and melt them in flexible shaped trays, like this.

November 22–28

22. Freeze Small Toys

Freeze small toys in a muffin tin and throw the iced toys in the bath. The kids will enjoy watching them melt to reveal the toy.

23. Work on a Puzzle

Work a puzzle together.

24. Go on a Hayride

Go on a hayride.

25. Make Pet Rocks

Make pet rocks, rock people, and even a whole rock village.

26. Go on a Treasure Hunt

Make a treasure map and go on a treasure hunt.

27. Visit a Corn Maze

Visit a local corn maze.

28. Set Up a Pretend Veterinarian’s Office

Gather all the stuffed animals and set up a pretend veterinarian’s office. For educational fun, sort them by habitat.

November 29–30

29. Make a Beanbag Toss Game

Cut out squares of felt.
Hot glue two squares together on three edges, leaving a pocket opening.
Fill with beans, and hot glue the last side shut.
Cut out a hole in sturdy cardboard for the target, or just toss them into a basket or bowl.

30. Play “The Floor Is Lava!”

Pull the couch cushions onto the floor.
All players must jump from cushion to cushion.
Be careful not to step on the floor. It’s hot!

We hope that November is a wonderful month! Try these ideas and remember to always give gratitude and have a positive attitude!

Use these tips to be a Playful Parenting Everyday!