November Family Bucket List: 30 Fun Ideas (+ Free Printable)
Make November magical with this family bucket list! 30 fun and easy activities for kids — from outdoor adventures to cozy crafts and Thanksgiving traditions.
November can feel like a whirlwind — between Thanksgiving prep, school projects, and the start of the holiday season, it’s easy for the days to slip by. But it’s also one of the coziest, most meaningful months of the year, filled with opportunities for gratitude, connection, and family fun.
This November family bucket list is packed with 30 easy, memorable activities you can do with toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged kids. Whether you’re enjoying the crisp outdoors, getting creative indoors, or celebrating Thanksgiving traditions, there’s something here for every family.
And don’t forget: you can also grab the free printable November Bucket List at the end of this post so your little ones can help choose and check off activities throughout the month!
👉 Related: Try these 80 Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions for Kids or these 50 Thanksgiving Family Activities for even more ways to celebrate this special time of year.
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🦃 30 Fun November Family Activities
Here’s the complete list of bucket list ideas for November so that you don’t even need to download if you don’t want to (though the printable makes it easy to hang on the fridge for the kids!).
🍂 Outdoor Adventures in November
Cooler weather and colorful leaves make November perfect for outdoor play and exploration before winter sets in.
- Rake leaves into a big pile and let the kids jump in.
- Take a family hike to spot wildlife preparing for winter.
- Visit a local farm for end-of-season produce.
- Play touch football in the yard or at a park.
- Collect pinecones for holiday crafts (learn how to clean pinecones for crafting here)
- Go for a walk and look for squirrels gathering acorns.
- Watch the sunset earlier in the evening together.
- Take a family bike ride on a crisp fall afternoon.
- Start planning your holiday lights walk for December.
- Bundle up for stargazing in the backyard.
🏡 Cozy At-Home November Fun
When the days get chilly, try these indoor activities that are easy to set up and perfect for kids of all ages.
- Bake pumpkin pie or apple crisp together.
- Make handprint turkey crafts.
- Start a gratitude jar — each family member writes one thing they’re thankful for every day.
- Host a family board game night.
- Try a new soup recipe for dinner (our family loves this slow cooker tortellini soup)
- Create a fall leaf rubbing art project.
- Have a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows and whipped cream.
- Do a puzzle together as a family.
- Make paper bag turkeys or paper plate turkeys, or create a disguise a turkey craft.
- Put on cozy pajamas and read Thanksgiving picture books together.
🦃 Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving is the centerpiece of November, and it’s full of family-friendly opportunities to make memories.
- Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together.
- Cook a dish together for the Thanksgiving meal.
- Set up a kids’ table with fun Thanksgiving activities or crafts.
- Play Thanksgiving trivia or do a Thanksgiving scavenger huntas a family.
- Host a mini family talent show after dinner.
- Learn about the story of Thanksgiving and talk about friendship.
- Write and share gratitude letters at the dinner table.
- Watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” or another family Thanksgiving movie.
- Collect shelf-stable food items for a local pantry or soup kitchen (this list of food drive items might be helpful).
- Write letters to Santa.
Download the Free Printable November Bucket List for Families
Love this list?
Click here to download the free printable November Bucket List for Families
✨ Tips for Making the Most of November as a Family
- Hang it up: Put the printable November bucket list somewhere visible (like your fridge).
- Add structure: Pair it with your family calendar so you don’t miss seasonal events.
- Invite the kids: Let them pick weekly activities to feel involved.
- Capture memories: Snap photos or short videos — these small moments become lifelong traditions.
- Stay flexible: November is busy; don’t stress if you don’t check off everything!
👉 Don’t miss these other family favorites for November:
- Thanksgiving Crafts Toddlers Will Love
- 50 Thanksgiving Family Activities
- 15 Thanksgiving Poems That Rhyme
Final Thoughts on Your November Bucket List
The November family bucket list is all about gratitude, slowing down, and savoring this special season. From jumping in leaf piles to watching the parade and enjoying Thanksgiving dinner together, these 30 activities are a fun and easy way to connect with your kids all month long.
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