As the golden hues of autumn deepen, November arrives with a crispness in the air and a sense of quiet anticipation. The warmth of summer has long since faded, replaced by the chill of approaching winter, and November serves as a bridge between the bright energy of fall and the peaceful stillness of the year’s end. With shorter days and cozier nights, November invites us to reflect on the harvest season and prepare for the upcoming holidays.
The name “November” comes from the Latin word “novem,” meaning “nine.” November was originally the ninth month of the ancient Roman calendar, which began in March. Even after the calendar reform shifted the start of the year to January, November retained its name, offering a glimpse into the rhythms of history and tradition.
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Join us as we journey through the holidays and observances that fill November with meaning, celebrating the heart of autumn and the coming together of family and community. I hope the ideas shared here and in our resources inspire you to dig a little deeper into the holidays. I fill each holiday of the day with information to help your Happy Hive buzz with excitement!
Celebrate on or near these specific days:
Basketball Day (November 6):
Basketball Day celebrates one of the world’s most popular sports, recognizing its impact on athletes and fans alike. Since its invention in 1891 by James Naismith, basketball has evolved from a simple indoor game to a global phenomenon. This day is perfect for appreciating the teamwork, discipline, and athleticism the sport inspires, whether by shooting some hoops, learning about basketball history, or watching a favorite team. It’s also a great opportunity to highlight the values of sportsmanship and dedication that basketball fosters in players of all ages.
With our Map the NBA activity your basketball fan can combine their love of basketball pastime with US map skills!
World Origami Day (November 11):
World Origami Day honors the intricate and elegant art of paper folding, a tradition that began in Japan and has spread around the world. Origami transforms a simple sheet of paper into works of art through careful folding, symbolizing patience, precision, and creativity. On this day, enthusiasts of all skill levels are encouraged to take up the craft, whether by creating basic shapes or attempting complex designs. Origami teaches both mindfulness and the beauty of turning something simple into something extraordinary, making this day a celebration of art, focus, and cultural heritage.
An easy way to introduce the art of paper folding is with a “cootie catcher”, also called a fortune teller because when you lift the flap your “fortune” is revealed.
Grab our mega-pack of paper fortune tellers. There are holiday-themed fortune tellers as well as:
- Book Reports
- Spelling/Vocabulary
- Story Starters
- Birthday
- Random Acts of Kindness
There is also a blank template learners can use to design their own!
World Kindness Day (November 13):
World Kindness Day is a global movement dedicated to the power of kindness. On this day, individuals are encouraged to perform acts of kindness, whether through small gestures like a smile or a compliment, or larger actions like helping a neighbor or donating to a good cause. The day serves as a reminder that kindness can create ripples of positivity in our communities, fostering empathy and connection. World Kindness Day is a perfect opportunity to teach children the importance of being kind and how even the smallest act of kindness can make a big impact. This free-bee can help:
Minnie and Mickey’s Birthday (November 18):
On November 18, we celebrate the birthdays of Disney’s iconic duo, Minnie and Mickey Mouse, who made their first appearance together in 1928’s “Steamboat Willie.” Over the decades, these beloved characters have become cultural icons, bringing joy and entertainment to generations of fans. Minnie and Mickey’s Birthday is a fun-filled day to reflect on the enduring legacy of Walt Disney’s creations, whose timeless charm continues to inspire creativity, friendship, and the magic of storytelling. Whether through classic cartoons or their modern iterations, these two continue to bring smiles to children and adults alike.
Minnie and Micky are part of Disney’s Sensational Six along with: Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto. Together, these characters have been central to Disney’s legacy, each with their own distinct personalities and timeless charm. As a group, they’ve brought joy to audiences through countless animated shorts, television shows, and theme park appearances, representing friendship, humor, and adventure across generations. Celebrate the first cartoon appearance of each of these beloved characters:
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day (November 24):
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day encourages everyone to embrace and showcase their special abilities, whether they are widely known or hidden from everyday view. It’s a day to reflect on what makes you truly unique and to take pride in talents that set you apart. From artistic abilities and athletic skills to quirky talents like juggling or whistling, this day is all about celebrating individuality and encouraging others to share their own unique gifts with the world. It’s a reminder that we all have something valuable and special to offer.
Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November):
Thanksgiving is a cherished American holiday that brings families and communities together to express gratitude for the year’s blessings. Traditionally held on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving is a time to share a hearty meal—often featuring turkey, stuffing, and pies—with loved ones. Beyond the food, the holiday is about reflecting on what we are thankful for and spending meaningful time with family and friends. Whether through volunteerism, community events, or personal traditions, Thanksgiving offers a moment to pause, appreciate the abundance in our lives, and celebrate togetherness.
Consider adding these activities to your celebration:
More Holiday Activities for November
These products use each of the Holiday of the Days for November
COPYWORK
In each set of November copywork you get 30 topics, in 2 font styles. The first is with guides (arrows) and the second font is a simple version of the font. The trace over copywork contains simple sentences, Manuscript and Cursive sentences are longer and more advanced, but similar so family discussions or use as Memory Verse is still possible!
November LEGO CHALLENGE
Lego Challenge Cards are great for everyday use or even on days your kids can’t go outside because of the weather (Rain, Snow, Wind, Heat). They make excellent party games or Fun Friday activities.
There are 30 building challenges for November based on the holiday of the day.
November Holiday of the Day Poke Art Pictures
10 Exciting Holidays are highlighted in the POKE ART PACK
You get both the Color and Black & White patterns for:
- COOKIE MONSTER DAY (November 2)
- KING TUT DAY (November 7)
- CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL DAY (November 12)
- STEVE IRWIN DAY (November 15)
- NATIONAL FAST FOOD DAY (November 16)
- PLAY MONOPOLY DAY (November 19)
- FIBONICCI DAY (November 23)
- NATIONAL ELECTRIC GUITAR DAY (November 27)
- RED PLANET DAY (November 28)
- THANKSGIVING (Fourth Thursday)
November Writing Activities
If you are looking for more November Holiday Fun…I have just the thing! My friend Suzanne over at Teacher Writer has curated a fantastic set of writing prompts and activities surrounding the National Holidays!
BEE sure to check out the Teacher Writer blog post with tips for implementing these National Day Writing Prompts. Your busy bees will find them especially engaging as they come with videos to help introduce the topic!
Some of the November writing prompts:
- National Indiana Day. (Learn about the great state of Indiana.)
- National Authors Day. (Read quotes by famous authors about reading.)
- National Sardines Day. (Learn about what actions sardines take to avoid predators.)
- National Cranberry Relish Day. (Visit a cranberry farm. Learn how are grown and processed, and how to make relish.)
- America Recycles Day. (Visit the EPA interactive Recycle City to learn the hows and whys of recycling.)
- World Diabetes Day (Learn how diabetes affects children and how to develop healthy habits.)
Two November National Month journal prompts:
- Family Literacy Month
- National Good Nutrition Month
Thanks for checking out the many holidays for November!
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