Gosh, can you believe it’s nearly November already? The time really flies in the fall! It’s a little scary to think that it just gets busier and busier from now until early January too.
That’s why carving out time for yourself and time for your family is even more important. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get so wrapped up in all the “trappings” of the season, that I forget about what matters most.
These ideas for 15 minutes of family fun in November are quite simple and don’t require a lot (or any) special equipment. They’re inexpensive and focus on spending time together – which is what’s most important after all!

15 Minutes of Family Fun in November
Start a great read-aloud and read part of it each night at bedtime.
If you have a little extra time, make a blanket fort and have story time inside. Bonus points for choosing something holiday or winter related.
Sit down for a cup of hot cocoa.
This is a great opportunity for a bit of conversation after a chilly autumn day.
Bake cookies together.
If you need to save more time, buy premade cookie dough.
Play a round of bowling together.
Use empty water bottles as the pins. Person with the most knocked down pins after 5 rounds wins.
Write a letter to a faraway (or nearby!) family member.
If kids aren’t able to write part of the letter themselves, they can dictate and/or make a drawing to add to it.

Bundle up and head outside.
Play a game of tag, kick a soccer ball around, or play catch and get those bodies moving!
Make a leaf craft.
Gather up some of the last of the autumn leaves and create leaf people from them.
Start a jigsaw puzzle.
Work on it for a little bit every day or so until it’s finished.
Paint a picture together using something other than a paintbrush.
A feather, a popsicle stick, a plastic fork, or a sponge are all options. Work side by side on your own paintings or create one large one as a family. You could even paint plain white butcher or shelf paper and then use it as holiday wrapping paper.
Make a gratitude tree.
Create a tree trunk out of construction paper, foam core, or Bristol board. Then each day, talk about what each of you are most grateful for and write or draw it on a leaf to add to the tree.
Make a snack or meal of funny face sandwiches.
Using a bagel, piece of bread, or English muffin as the base, spread on some kind of nut or seed butter or cream/goat cheese. Using your imaginations and items such as raisins, nuts, seeds, pieces of raw vegetables (carrot and celery slices, broccoli florets, baby spinach and so on), pieces of fruit (apple and banana slices, orange segments etc.), olives, and pickles create faces on top of the spread.
Spend one whole dinner with no talking at all.
Everyone has to be silent! Or how about making a rule that instead of speaking, you have to sing.
What are your favorite fall activities? If you need more suggestions, many of the ones in 15 Minutes of Family Fun in October would still be great for November too!
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