Preschool Activity Calendar for November
As the weather cools and the holidays approach, a preschool activity calendar for November helps you keep learning simple and fun. Instead of scrambling for last-minute ideas, you’ll have a full month of easy activities ready to go. This plan is built around monthly preschool themes—leaves, turkeys, Thanksgiving, and family—so each week feels fresh and seasonal.
Whether you’re teaching at home or just looking for quick after-school projects, this calendar gives you a clear path forward. It’s practical, flexible, and designed to make preschool time enjoyable for both kids and grown-ups.
How to Use This Calendar
This calendar is meant to make your life easier, not harder. Think of it as a guide, not a checklist. Here are a few ways to get the most out of it:
- Pick and choose. You don’t have to do every single activity. Circle the ones that fit your week and skip the rest.
- Mix in your own favorites. Swap out activities with books, crafts, or traditions your kids already love.
- Keep it flexible. Some days will run smoothly, others won’t. It’s fine to move an activity to another day or repeat one that was a big hit.
- Use it for rhythm, not pressure. The calendar helps you keep learning consistent while leaving space for free play and rest.
- Print it or post it. Hang it on the fridge or tuck it in your lesson binder so it’s easy to glance at when you need a quick idea.
The goal isn’t to do it all—it’s to have a month of ready-to-go ideas so you can enjoy the season right alongside your preschooler.
30 Days of November Activities for Preschoolers
Don’t feel like you have to follow these in order! Use this as a menu of ideas and pick what works for your week.
- Go on a leaf hunt and sort by size.
- Do leaf rubbings with crayons.
- Read Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and make your own collage.
- Count acorns or buttons and practice simple patterns.
- Build a squirrel nest with scraps of yarn and paper.
- Make a paper plate turkey craft.
- Practice tracing the letter Tt with turkey printables.
- Play “turkey waddle” relay races.
- Use feathers for fine motor play (pick up with tongs).
- Paint with fall colors using sponges or brushes.
- Read A Turkey for Thanksgiving and talk about gratitude.
- Make a Thankful Tree—add one leaf for each thing you’re grateful for.
- Do a cranberry sink or float science experiment.
- Create a corn sensory bin (dried corn, cups, and scoops).
- Practice counting with pumpkin seeds.
- Make shape turkeys (use circles, triangles, and squares).
- Cook together—measure and stir simple muffin batter.
- Sing a Thanksgiving song during circle time.
- Use playdough to make pretend pies.
- Do a sequencing activity for “How to Cook a Turkey.”
- Create a family portrait with crayons or watercolors.
- Build with blocks and pretend to set up a feast table.
- Play matching games with pictures of fall foods.
- Trace and cut out simple pie shapes for math practice.
- Make a paper bag turkey craft.
- Practice letter matching with fall-themed cards.
- Read Bear Says Thanks and talk about friendship.
- Do a simple apple volcano science experiment.
- String beads or pasta to make “Thanksgiving necklaces.”
- End the month with a gratitude circle—everyone shares one favorite moment.
November Holidays and Special Days to Celebrate
Looking to add a little extra fun to your November plans? These preschool-friendly holidays and special days are perfect for sparking themed crafts, books, and simple learning moments.
Want to mark these on your calendar? Use the blank printable below to add special celebrations to your month!
| Date (2025) | Holiday/Special Day | Activity Idea |
| Nov. 1 | National Play Day with Dad | Plan a simple game or outdoor adventure. |
| Nov. 8 | National STEM Day | Try a simple preschool science experiment like a cranberry sink or float test. |
| Nov. 11 | Veterans Day | Create thank-you cards for veterans or discuss community helpers. |
| Nov. 13 | World Kindness Day | Do a small act of kindness together—bake cookies for a neighbor or draw pictures for grandparents. |
| Nov. 16 | National Button Day | Sort buttons by color or size, or make button art |
| Nov. 27 | Thanksgiving Day | Host a pretend feast, make a Thankful Tree, or read Thanksgiving picture books. |
You don’t have to celebrate every holiday — just choose what fits your family or classroom and have fun with it!
Free Printable November Activity Planner for Preschoolers
Ready to bring these ideas to life? I’ve created a free printable to help you plan a fun and stress-free month with your preschooler.
Here’s what’s inside:
- Page 1: A printable version of the 30 Days of November Activities list
- Page 2: A blank November calendar you can fill in with your own activity choices
There’s no prep and no pressure — just print it out and start wherever you are. You can follow the calendar exactly, mix and match ideas, or use it as a simple planning tool to organize your month.
Bonus tip: Let your preschooler help decorate the calendar with stickers or color in each square after you complete an activity. It’s a fun way to build excitement and keep them involved!
???? Click below to grab your free November activity planner and start making fall memories together.
November Learning Ideas for Preschoolers
November is full of natural opportunities to weave learning into play. With seasonal themes like leaves, turkeys, and family gatherings, everyday moments can turn into hands-on lessons. Here are a few simple ways to focus on early skills this month:
- Literacy: Read seasonal stories together or explore these fun How to Catch a Turkey activities to practice sequencing and story retelling.
- Math: Count acorns, sort cranberries by color, or measure ingredients while baking together.
- Fine Motor: Work on scissor skills and hand strength with these printable Thanksgiving crafts.
- Creativity: Add art time with Thanksgiving coloring pages—an easy way to keep little hands busy.
- Social-Emotional: Build a Thankful Tree, share family traditions, and wind down with cozy Thanksgiving movies for preschoolers.
These ideas can be mixed into your daily activities or used to extend the calendar with extra learning moments.
A preschool activity calendar for November keeps learning simple, fun, and stress-free during a busy season. With monthly preschool themes guiding each week, you’ll always have an easy idea ready to go—whether it’s a quick craft, a seasonal science activity, or a cozy book to read together.
Remember, this isn’t about doing everything on the list. It’s about having a plan in place so you can enjoy the moments with your preschooler without scrambling for ideas.
Don’t forget to grab your free printable November activity calendar below. Print it, hang it up, and let it guide you through a month of playful, meaningful learning.
FAQ: November Preschool Activity Calendar
These activities are designed for preschoolers ages 3–5. Many can be adapted up or down depending on your child’s skill level.
Most ideas use items you already have at home—paper, crayons, glue, buttons, acorns, or recycled materials. A few seasonal crafts may need basic supplies like pom-poms, feathers, or construction paper.
Absolutely. The activities are short and flexible—perfect for after school, weekends, or when you just need a quick, meaningful activity.
No problem. The calendar is a guide, not a checklist. Feel free to skip, swap, or repeat activities.
Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.
