Monarch Tides

November is here, and with the colder weather and rainy days rolling in, I’ve been looking for some fun activities to keep the kids busy!

I’m always looking for fun, creative outlets for the kids. As much as I love a cozy movie night, I also think it’s so important to put down the screens, walk away from all the distractions, and do something that promotes imagination and creativity.

There’s something so special about watching kids create something with their own two hands. Whether they’re collecting leaves outside, building little fairy houses, or making decorations for the home, I love seeing their imaginations come to life.

The best part is that these little projects don’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Sometimes all you need are a few supplies and a little imagination.

This November, I wanted to find some crafts that felt a little more natural, homemade, and cozy. Something that could bring a little bit of the outdoors inside while also creating some beautiful decorations for our home.

Here are four of my favorite November crafts to try with the kids!

1. A Thankful Little Tree

I absolutely love this idea because it’s not only a beautiful decoration for the home, but it also encourages the kids to think about all the things they’re thankful for.

I usually like to do this activity at family dinner time because it gets us all talking and sharing.

What you’ll need:

• A few small branches from outside
• A vase or pitcher
• Colored cardstock or construction paper
• Scissors and a hole punch
• Twine or ribbon
• Markers or colored pencils
• Optional: dried leaves for decorating

How to make it:

1. Head outside with the kids and collect a few branches. Try finding ones with lots of smaller branches so there’s plenty of room to hang decorations.
2. Arrange the branches in a vase or pitcher.
3. Cut little hearts or leaf shapes out of colored paper. I love using soft greens, browns, oranges, and muted pinks for November.
4. Punch a small hole at the top of each shape and tie on a piece of twine.
5. Have everyone write something they’re thankful for on their leaves.
6. Hang them on the branches and continue adding to the tree throughout November!

I also love the idea of making this a little family tradition. Each day, the kids can add something new they’re thankful for, and by Thanksgiving, you’ll have a beautiful tree filled with little reminders of everything that makes life special.

2. Homemade Orange & Cinnamon Garland

There’s something about dried oranges and cinnamon that makes a home feel so warm and inviting.

I love decorating with natural materials, especially during the colder months, and this garland is such a simple way to bring those cozy November feelings into your home.

It’s also a fun project for kids because they get to help put everything together and decide how they want their garland to look!

What you’ll need:

• 2–3 oranges
• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole star anise
• Natural twine
• Scissors
• A large needle or skewer
• Optional: small greenery sprigs

How to make it:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°F.
2. Slice the oranges into thin, even rounds, approximately ⅛–¼ inch thick.
3. Pat the slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
4. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or an oven-safe rack.
5. Bake for approximately 3–5 hours, flipping occasionally, until the slices are dry. Thicker slices may take longer.
6. Allow the oranges to cool completely.
7. Cut a long piece of twine and begin arranging your orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
8. Tie the cinnamon sticks into little bundles and attach them to the garland. An adult can help make holes in the oranges and secure the decorations.

Once everything is assembled, hang your garland across a mantel, window, or shelf.

I especially love how simple this project is. You don’t need a ton of decorations to make something beautiful, and the natural colors fit perfectly with November.

It’s also something you can leave up as you transition into Christmas decorating!

3. Little Woodland Fairy Houses

This might be my favorite craft of the bunch!

I’ve always loved the idea of creating little magical spaces for kids, and what better way to encourage their imagination than letting them build their very own woodland fairy house? My son’s school had a little fairy garden and the kids went crazy for it. Always wanting to add things and make it magical. I like incorporating that into our home.

What you’ll need:

• Craft sticks
• A small cardboard box or clean, empty milk carton
• Twigs and small branches
• Pinecones
• Dried leaves
• Craft moss
• Small stones
• Glue or a low-temperature glue gun with adult assistance
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Optional: battery-operated fairy lights

How to make it:

1. Start with a small cardboard box or carton as the base of your fairy house.
2. Cover the outside with craft sticks to give it a little wooden cottage appearance.
3. Create a simple roof using cardboard and decorate it with moss, leaves, and twigs.
4. Cut out or paint a little door and windows.
5. Let the kids decorate their houses using pinecones, acorns, stones, and other treasures they’ve collected.
6. Find a little spot outside in the grass or near a tree to display their creations!

You can even make a little pathway leading to the fairy house using small stones.

I love that there’s no right or wrong way to make these. Each child can create something completely different, and that’s what makes them so special.

Maybe one fairy house has a tiny garden, another has a pinecone chimney, and another has a little woodland animal living outside.

Let their imaginations take over!

4. Pressed-Flower Bookmarks

I wanted to include something a little different for our last craft, and I think these homemade bookmarks are absolutely adorable. My bonus daughter loves to read and this is a great activity to encourage her in her hobby!

I love anything that feels a little vintage and handmade, and these remind me of something you might find tucked inside an old book.

They’re also a sweet little gift idea for grandparents, teachers, or anyone else who loves reading too!

What you’ll need:

• Thick cardstock or kraft paper
• Small flowers and greenery
• Parchment or blotting paper
• Heavy books for pressing
• Craft glue
• A hole punch
• Ribbon
• Optional: clear self-adhesive laminating sheets

How to make it:

1. Start by collecting small flowers and greenery. You can use flowers from your garden or pick up a small bouquet from Trader Joe’s.
2. Place the flowers between sheets of absorbent paper and press them inside a heavy book for approximately 1–2 weeks, replacing damp paper as needed.
3. Cut cardstock into bookmark-sized rectangles.
4. Once the flowers are completely dry, arrange them on the cardstock.
5. Carefully glue them into place.
6. If you’d like, cover the bookmarks with clear self-adhesive laminating sheets for added protection.
7. Punch a small hole at the top and tie on a pretty ribbon.

I especially love using burgundy, cream, and soft green colors for these. They feel so fitting for November!

You could even have the kids write a little message on the back of each bookmark before gifting them.

It’s such a simple project, but I think homemade gifts like these are some of the most meaningful.

Last little notes

One thing I’ve been trying to remind myself of lately is that not every activity with the kids needs to be a big outing or an elaborate plan. Sometimes the best memories happen right at home.

A rainy afternoon spent collecting leaves, a kitchen table covered in craft supplies, or watching the kids proudly show off something they’ve made can be just as special as any adventure.

I also love that crafts give us an opportunity to slow down and connect. There are no screens to distract us, no schedules to rush through, and no expectations of making something perfect. Just a little creativity, imagination, and time together.

And if the fairy house turns out a little crooked or the garland doesn’t look quite how you imagined, that’s perfectly okay! Sometimes those imperfect little creations end up being our favorites.

I hope these ideas inspire you to spend a cozy November afternoon creating something special with your little ones.

Happy crafting, and here’s to making a little November magic at home!