Ask anyone what holiday falls in November and they'll likely say Thanksgiving.
But it turns out there are lots of other holidays and events happening this month too! Here are 10 holidays and events your family can recognize this November:
1. Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Yes, it's appropriate to have an entire month to celebrate peanut butter. Celebrate with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner and make some yummy Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies with Peanut Butter Icing with the kids. Or head over to the Flushing Ice Cream Factory for some peanut butter ice cream with toasted sesame seeds, aka Zen Butter ( Nov. 1-30
2. Dia De Los Muertos
This celebratory Mexican holiday is a remembrance of the dead. If you missed Queen's Museum's Day of the Dead celebration on Oct 28 you can watch the moving Disney Pixar film "Coco" with your kiddos to help them understand the meaning behind this holiday. Oct. 31-Nov. 2
3. The End of Daylight Saving Time
Before kids, the end of daylight saving time was probably a welcome date -- after all, it meant an extra hour of blissful, uninterrupted sleep! But post-kids? That extra hour can now mean cranky kids and long days of disrupted naps and bedtimes. Read tips from a sleep consultant on how to help your kids adjust. Nov. 3
4. National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
What a great time to teach your kids the value of volunteering and helping those in need! Volunteer at your local animal shelter or take in donations of things like pet food, blankets, and cleaning supplies. Many shelters have "wish lists" on their websites. Or consider the Queens based My Dog Is My Home charity, which helps keep pets and owners together in times of homeslessness. November 3-10
5. Election Day
We know we don't have to tell you how important it is to vote. Or how vital it is to teach your kids the importance of exercising their right to vote. Vote early, or take your kids with you to the voting booth so they can see democracy in action. Oct 26-Nov. 5.
6. National STEM/STEAM Day
Visit the Hall of Science or City of Science (Nov 3) or plan some simple science, technology, engineering, art, or math projects to do at home with the kids. Need ideas? Check out Macaroni Kid's "All Things Science" Pinterest board for some science experiments you can do at home. Nov. 8
7. Veterans Day
Celebrate a veteran in your life by having your kids write a letter, draw a picture of thanks, or interview them about their experiences. Need to connect to a veteran? Operation Gratitude collects and distributes letters to veterans, as well as deployed troops, new recruits, and first responders. They even have a guide to letter writing to help you and your kids get started.
Read about a new book coming out by some local kids in Jamaica focusing on local war heros.
Nov. 11.
8. National Play Monopoly Day
Don't go straight to Jail. Instead, dust off this old classic (did you know this game has been around since 1883?) at a weekly Friday afternoon Board Game session at the library, or settle in for an epic family game night at home. Nov. 19.
9. Thanksgiving
It's the mother of all November holidays! Nov. 28.
10. Small Business Saturday
We love supporting local businesses all year long -- and hope you do too! Small Business Saturday is a chance for you to support local businesses while shopping. Nov. 30.
