November starts the season of many holidays and lots of family fun. Read on to find out more about special days and fun activities for families to do together during November.  There are inks to crafts and recipes you can create with your children during November to bring out the inner chef, adventurer, and artist in your child.

Make learning fun

11/1 National Author’s Day is November 1st. Today we honor our favorite authors by reading and sharing their books. Its purpose is to promote writing, encourage people to become authors, and foster a love for reading. It’s also a wonderful day to be an author yourself by starting your own writing project!! You can so several fun pinterest authors-day activities!

11/3 National Jersey Friday is the first Friday in the month of November. Every weekend during the fall, football fever sweeps the nation, from youth leagues to the professional ranks. Fans from all over the country gather to support their favorite players and teams, sparking a sense of community built upon childhood memories, fantasy football leagues and age-old rivalries and traditions.The history of sport jerseys dates back to the late 19th century, and the first sport jersey ever worn can be traced back to the sport of baseball in the United States.

11/5 National Play Outside Day: Playing outdoors allows children to develop self-confidence, independence, and self-esteem. They also become aware of limits, boundaries, and challenge in their play. When children are used to playing outdoors, they are more likely to: try new activities.https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-play-outside-day-first-saturday-of-every-month/

11/6 has a unique history. Created in 1943 in Texas at a restaurant, the maître d needed to create a tasty dish for guests when the chef wasn’t around! The only foods in the kitchen were tortillas and cheese! You can guess what tasty treat he created!https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-nachos-day-november-6/

11/6 National Nacho Day– Nachos are such a versatile snack to make! So many delicious yet unhealthy options to add as toppings. Have you ever tried making apple nachos? This seems like an easy dessert nachos recipe to try!

11/8 Do you know what S.T.E.A.M stands for? Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math. Occupations related to S.T.E.M are expected to grow 70% faster than other occupations. To celebrate, National STEAM Day to encourage kids to explore their interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Due to the increasing popularity of STEAM programs available to children, putting together brain building activities are endless! This activity brings storytelling to life on National STEM Day!https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/steam-activities/    National STEAM day activities

11/11 Veterans Day became a national holiday on November 11th, 1938. However, prior to 1954Independence Day Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day! President Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name to Veteran’s Day to honor all American wars.Even the youngest child can help thank our military veterans. On Veterans Day children can color these cards to give to a family or friends who have served in the military.  https://projectnursery.com/2014/11/veterans-day-cards-for-kids/  https://veteran.com/veterans-day/

11/14 What is your favorite pickle? A Dill, Gherkin, Bread & Butter or Kool Aid pickles?!?! Learn some interesting facts about pickles today on National Pickle Day!  Are you pro or anti pickle? Have you ever tried to make pickles of feel it’s too difficult to do? Try this Icebox Pickle recipe that you can make with your kids!

11/18 Apple Cider Day: The day celebrates the rich and fruity beverage that fills our hearts and bodies with warmth. They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but a glass of apple cider at the end of a long day can rejuvenate the soul. Apple cider is made from freshly harvested apples that are mashed and made to resemble applesauce. This is then pressed to extract fresh juice and fermented. After the fermentation process is done, we get the sweet and spicy apple cider — the seasonal Autumn drink.

There are lots of obvious ways to celebrate Apple Cider Day. You can make yourself a glass of apple cider and relax while you enjoy it.  Here are a few other creative ideas to help honor this day.   Visit a cider mill to grab a glass of the freshest cider you’ll find!  Check out the following locations: Alstede FarmsMelick’s Town Farm – Cider Mill & Orchard, Terhune Orchards.  Keep the celebration of apples going strong and learn about other days dedicated to apples like National Caramel Apple Day and National Johnny Appleseed Day!

11/19 Making its debut as “The Landlord’s Game” in 1903, one of the most popular board games in the world is Monopoly. On National Play Monopoly Day, grab some friends, family and snacks then roll your dice for a chance to win the jackpot at Free Parking!!! national-play-monopoly-day  https://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/november/play-monopoly-day.htmThere are so many versions of monopoly on the market, ever think about creating your own? With this DIY Monopoly Template, you can customize a game for your class or neighborhood. Try it for National Play Monopoly Day! https://nowthatsthrifty.com/diy-monopoly-game-with-free-templates/

11/20-11/26 National Puzzle Week- While the family is gathering for Thanksgiving, it’s time for National Game and Puzzle Week. Puzzles enable a child to develop problem-solving skills on how to place a piece in the correct space, cognitive skills through visual-spatial awareness, fine motor skills to learn how to grasp and pick up pieces through manipulation, hand/ eye coordination by placing puzzle pieces in the correct order and social.  Checkout some fun homemade puzzles and activities for home.

11/24 What is Thanksgiving? It is a day set aside every year to give thanks for all the blessings you have received throughout the year. Click the link to learn some kid-friendly Thanksgiving Facts! https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/first-thanksgiving/

11/24 With so much to be thankful for everyday and on Thanksgiving, let’s have our little helpers help make dessert to kick off this holiday season. While engaged with your kids, you can talk with them and hear what and who they are thankful for! This is a simple recipe, they can help mix and form once the temperature cools down. Enjoy!  https://justisafourletterword.com/pumpkin-rice-krispie-treats/  Enjoy with your family some fun Thanksgiving crafts.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and to your family!

Things to do:

Please take pictures of your activities and share them with your classrooms! We would love to see what you create!!

Save the Date for our Winter Wonderland on Friday, December 8th. More information to come!

There are great websites that detail fun & often free things to do in New Jersey every month! Call ahead and make sure the activities are happening before you head out for your day!

http://www.njfamily.com/

https://mommypoppins.com/

https://hulafrog.com/bridgewater-nj