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Things To Do With the Children in November

It's starting to get cold, and driving to school instead of walking may seem tempting, but try not to give in as the cold winter mornings can be both beautiful and magical. Traditionally November is a somewhat sombre month, but presented the right way anything can be fun.

Things to do out and about in November

1. The Blueharts Bonfire Party has already passed but you still have the chance to see the Fireworks Display at Strathmore School, Hitchin, this coming Saturday (8th November). You could let your little ones have a nap in the afternoon and then go out to the party - I'm sure they'll really love it.

2. Visit the Hitchin War Memorial. Rembrance Sunday itself may be busy but the wreaths of poppies will be there for some weeks after.

3. The mornings are getting colder and crisp at this time of year, so here are a few fun things to do while walking to school on a chilly morning:

• See who can huff the highest in the cold air... pure magic.
• Draw on your frosted-over car (see photo, right)... go on, you know you want to!
• Find frosted spider's webs... bejewelled beauties.

4. Sweet chestnuts are in season, so why not go out and collecting some! You may not have an open fire but they can be roasted just as well in an oven.

5. Visit a graveyard, such as the one at St Mary's in Hitchin town centre. November is all about the end of the fertile year and the start of the dying back of the vegetation - it is therefore a great time to explain another stage in the grand cycle of life.

Events around the world in November

All Saints Day, 1st November

All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallows' Day or Hallowmas) is the day after All Hallows' Eve (Halloween). Historically people used to hold all-night vigils at the grave site of the martyrs.

All Souls day, 2nd November

In Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Croatia, Austria, Romania, Hungary and Germany, the tradition is to light candles and visit the graves of deceased relatives.

Bonfire Night, 5th November

Bonfire night celebrates the failure of the ‘Gunpowder plot' by a group of Catholics who planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament on 5th November 1605. The king, James I, was unpopular with Catholics because he passed laws which made them pay extra taxes unless they went to Anglican churches. A Catholic man called Guy Fawkes was found in a cellar underneath the Houses of Parliament with barrels of gunpowder. He was executed. The failure of this plan is celebrated each year by lighting a bonfire with a "guy" on top (this is a model of a man, representing Guy Fawkes). In recent years the bonfire is usually accompanied by a fireworks display.

The Lord Mayor's Show, 8th November

Since 1189 there has been a Lord Mayor of London elected each year who represents the City of London (not to be confused with the Mayor of London, the role currently taken by Boris Johnson). Each year a new mayor is elected and by tradition must travel from the City to Westminster to promise to serve the king or queen. There is a street parade which starts at the Guildhall at about 10.55am; this is watched by the new Lord Mayor from outside of Mansion House. The parade includes about 200 horses, 60 floats, 200 motor vehicles, 20 marching bands and 23 carriages. It takes about one hour to pass. The Lord Mayor follows at the end of this procession in his golden coach which was built in 1757. The procession travels past St Paul's Cathedral and ends at the Royal Courts of Justice in Aldwych.

For more details and the timetable of events during the day, see the Lord Mayor's Show website.

Remembrance Sunday, 9th November

After World War I the fields of France and Belgium, where the vast majority of soldiers from both sides fought and died, became covered in wild poppies. The poppy has become a symbol of those who have given their lives so that we can live as we do now. Paper poppies are sold and worn from the start of November to raise money for the Royal British Legion. On Sunday there is a parade of soldiers who have fought for our freedom and the freedom of others, and the queen places a wreath at the cenotaph, which is followed by two minutes' silence.

Armistice Day, 11th November

A two-minute silence is observed at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month because this is when the Great War, World War I, came to end in 1918. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front. Beginning in 1939 the two-minute silence was moved to the Sunday nearest 11th November in order not to interfere with wartime production should 11th November fall on a weekday.

St Andrew's Day, 30th November

Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. He and his brother Saint Peter were fishermen who became Apostles of Jesus Christ. He was crucified on November 30th in Greece. The cross of Saint Andrew is on the Scottish flag, the Saltire. Scottish celebrations often include traditional food, music, songs, poetry and dance.

Also...

The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), 1st November

A holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and some Spanish-speaking countries. Special offerings, usually bread or flowers, are dedicated and offered to dead relatives, and graves are tidied and loved ones remembered. Have a look at some really great photos at the Day of the Dead website. 

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, 2nd November

Cars built before 1905 travel from London to Brighton. This traditional event celebrates the removal in 1896 of the law that forced drivers to have a man walking in front of the car holding a red flag and the speed limit was increased from 4 miles per hour to 14 miles per hour.

For more information visit the official website for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

Tar Barrels, 5th November

There is a special Bonfire Night tradition in Ottery St Mary, a town in Devon. Barrels that have been soaked with tar are lit and then carried on people's backs through the streets. This has been done since the 17th century. The fires were believed to drive away evil spirits from the town.

For more about this tradition, see the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels website.

BBC Children In Need, 14th November

Pudsey's here again! Children in Need is an annual event to raise money for British children's charities. You can get involved in one of many fundraising events in the UK, or you can help by donating money to the charities. There is a special programme on television on BBC1 throughout Friday evening. If you would like to get involved then most schools have some kind of event so you could offer to bake cakes or biscuits.

Universal Children's day, 20th November

By resolution 836(IX), the General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. The date - 20th November - marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

Thanksgiving Day, 27th November

Americans celebrate the harvest season, often eating a family meal including turkey and pumpkin pie. There is a Thanksgiving festival in Plymouth, Devon, as the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from here in 1620, heading for a new life in America.

Have a look at these great Thanksgiving stories for children.

This month's favourite websites

• The United Nations children's website; and
• Activity Village, a great source of things for the kids to do - great ideas and print-outs for free.
  

Fun things to make in November

Cinder toffee

Perfect for bonfire night and super simple to make, but it's not really one for small or inexperienced children. You can dip this in chocolate for a home made ‘Crunchy'.

You will need:

• 100g golden syrup
• 200g caster sugar
• 40g butter
• 1/2 tsp vinegar
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tbsp water

Method:

1. Line a 15cm square tin with greaseproof or parchment paper.
2. Put the syrup, sugar, butter and water into a large heavy-bottomed pan over a medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then turn up the heat and bring to the boil.
3. Boil quite vigorously without stirring, until a teaspoon of the hot toffee mixture becomes a hard ball when dropped into a jug of cold water. If you have a sugar thermometer, it should reach 138^oC (hard ball stage). Remove the pan from the heat.
4. Add the vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to the pan. Take care, as the toffee mixture will bubble up and rise in the pan. Pour immediately into the lined tin and leave on one side.
5. After about 15-20 minutes, when the mixture has started to set, using a sharp knife, score the toffee in square shapes. Break along the lines when it has completely set.

The toffee will keep in an airtight tin for up to two weeks.

A cool fireworks picture

This is a great idea for young and older children alike, as the results are effective no matter what your skill level. It also works well for smaller children as you can prepare ahead and cut out the silhouette beforehand.

You will need:

• Black or dark navy coloured card
• White crayon or pencil crayon
• Scissors
• Glue
• Coloured tissue paper

Method:

1. Using the white crayon or pencil draw some fireworks - flashes and streaks look really good.
2. Use the scissors to cut out the outline of your shapes.
3. Using the glue, stick down random pieces of coloured tissue paper.
4. Now turn over your picture and hang in a well lit window.

This works for any picture, just remember to think about what you are cutting out and what will form the frame - for small children don't go too flimsy.

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