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November is that magical bridge between pumpkin spice and Christmas lights—a month filled with crisp air, cozy blankets, gratitude, and family traditions. If you’re looking for November bucket list ideas that are simple, meaningful, and family-friendly, this guide is packed with fun things you can actually do—not just pin on Pinterest and forget about.
Whether you’re a parent, homeschooler, or someone who just wants to slow down this season, here are the best things to do in November to make the month cozy, intentional, and full of memories.
There are even more fun fall ideas here! 🍁
🍁 Why Make a November Bucket List?
Creating a bucket list helps you:
- Be intentional instead of letting the month fly by
- Make cozy memories with your kids or loved ones
- Add fun to your homeschool or weekend rhythm
- Practice gratitude in small, everyday ways
🌿 Outdoor November Bucket List Ideas
- Go on a leaf-collecting nature walk — bring along our Free Printable Fall Coloring Pages for Kids to color the leaves you find.
- Visit a pumpkin patch or apple orchard.
- Rake leaves and jump in them (yes, even adults!).
- Take a photo walk to capture fall colors.
- Make a pinecone bird feeder and watch who visits.
- Go stargazing on a clear night.
- Try our Leaf-by-Leaf Fall Reading Chart to encourage kids to read after outdoor time.
🏡 Cozy At-Home November Bucket List Ideas
- Make homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream or marshmallows. If you don’t have one of these, you might want to get one now!
- Host a pajama movie night.
- Start a “Soup Sunday” tradition — pair it with creative writing using our Soup Writing Prompts Journal.
- Light fall-scented candles or simmer stovetop potpourri.
- Start a fall morning basket! Use these ideas to get started.
- Read fall picture books aloud — use our Fall Reading Chart to track progress.
- Have a family game night with snacks (this is one of my favorites!) and cozy blankets. Print out our Fall Leaves Bingo Game for a fun activity.
- Build a blanket fort and bring books, snacks, and flashlights.
- Set up an indoor obstacle course — need ideas? Try our guide: How to Create a Cozy Indoor Obstacle Course for Kids.
🎨 Creative & Crafty November Activities
- Make handprint turkeys or gratitude placemats.
- Paint or glitter pinecones — for more fall fun, download our Free Fall Coloring Pages.
- Create leaf rubbings with crayons (this type works the best) and real leaves. Don’t have leaves? Use these instead!
- Press leaves and turn them into bookmarks — or print our Fall Printable Bookmarks if you want a ready-to-use version.
- Make a paper “Thankful Banner” or “Thankful Tree” — add thankful words from our I Am Thankful From A to Z Printable.
- Paint kindness rocks and leave them around your neighborhood.
- Try fall-themed math fun with our Kawaii Pumpkin Ten Frames printable.
- Set up a nature journaling basket with crayons, leaves, and basket goodies.
- Make a gratitude journal using blank pages or printable prompts.
🦃 Thanksgiving Bucket List Ideas
- Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- Help cook or bake a dish for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Make homemade place cards or table decorations.
- Play a Thanksgiving game — try our Free Apple Left–Right Game Printable (perfect for parties and family gatherings).
- Have everyone share one thing they’re thankful for before eating.
- Create a “Thankful Tree” using real branches and paper leaves.
- Make a Thankful Turkey: Gratitude Craft for Kids. Print off our FREE PRINTABLE to get started.
- Make a gratitude banner or paper chain to decorate your home.
- Host a dinner with neighbors or friends.
- Play Fall Leaves Bingo after dinner using our Fall Leaves Bingo Game.
- Start a new family tradition like “Pie for Breakfast Friday” after Thanksgiving.
💛 Gratitude & Kindness Ideas for November
- Start a family gratitude journal or binder.
- Each day, write one thankful note and add it to a “Gratitude Jar.”
- Use our Kindness Is … Paper Craft with Free Printable Template! to inspire kids to be extra kind.
- Challenge your family to complete one act of kindness a day — get ideas from 100 Kindness Ideas for Kids and Families.
- Write thank-you letters to grandparents, teachers, or friends.
- Leave a surprise treat or kind note on a neighbor’s doorstep.
- Donate gently used toys, books, or warm coats to a local shelter.
- Make and deliver care packages for someone who needs encouragement.
- Host a family “gratitude night” with candles, cocoa, and everyone sharing one memory from this year.
- Teach Kids the Art of Gratitude: How to Write a Heartfelt Thank You Card + FREE Printable Thank You Cards!
🎄 Gentle Holiday Prep (Stress-Free & Simple)
- Take family photos for your Christmas cards
- Make a DIY gift list or handmade gift planner
- Hang your first string of Christmas lights
- Begin an Advent or kindness countdown calendar
- Start a new family tradition — like reading a Christmas book every night in December
- Make homemade ornaments using salt dough or air-dry clay
- Declutter toys and clothes to make room for Christmas gifts
- Watch your first Christmas movie of the season with hot cocoa
📚 Homeschool & Learning Bucket List Ideas for November
- Study why leaves change color and collect samples
- Write a fall or Thanksgiving-themed poem — or use our Printable Fall Acrostic Poems
- Track reading progress using our Leaf-by-Leaf Fall Reading Chart
- Practice fall math with our Kawaii Pumpkin Ten Frames
- Play educational games like Fall Leaves Bingo for sight words or numbers
- Create a gratitude journal or notebooking page
- Make a Pumpkin Pie Rice Sensory Bin
- Compare this post with our earlier September Bucket List for Kids and see what traditions your family loved most
📌 Free November Bucket List Printable
Want to make things easy? Download our cute November Bucket List printable you can hang on the fridge or add to your homeschool binder. Kids can add their own ideas too! You could hang it with this!
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🎯 Final Thoughts: Slow Down & Savor November
November doesn’t need to be busy to be beautiful. It’s not about doing everything — it’s about choosing a few small, meaningful moments that bring your family together. Whether it’s jumping in leaves, sipping cocoa, writing gratitude lists, or making pinecone crafts, these moments add up to memories your kids will never forget.
So pick a few things from this list, print it out, and make November cozy, grateful, and full of joy.
👉 Click below to download your free November Bucket List printable.
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