1 Nov 2016

50 THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE IN NOVEMBER

by | posted in: The Outdoors | 19

I couldn’t set you a challenge like One Hour Outside (#OneHourOutside) and not provide any kind of inspiration to help you get started. There are lots of these “things to do…” style posts around so I figured there was no harm in putting together one of my own. Naturally mine has an outdoors theme to it; so here, in no particular order, are my suggestions for 50 things to do outside in November… 

Zoe on the Viking Way

Wrap up warm, lace up your boots, and get outside.

50 Things to Do Outside in November

  1. I thought I’d start with my favourite… Walk up a hill and take in the view. 
  2. Go for a jog or run around the block – or around the whole town if you’re that way inclined.
  3. Go on a cycle ride through the local woods (check bikes are allowed on the trails first). 
  4. Wild swim in a lake or river (wear a wetsuit and swim cap!).
  5. Try a new-to-you water sport such as surfing, kayaking or sailing.
  6. Play some tennis at your local outdoor courts.
  7. Try an outdoors fitness bootcamp or circuits session such as BMF.
  8. Grab a load of friends and play rounders in the park.
  9. Try your skills at skateboarding or scooting at a local skate park… there are fewer kids out in November so they won’t laugh at you too much 🙂
  10. Bag a geocache wherever you find yourself. Never been geocaching? Read this post. 
  11. Go for a soup-filled picnic with friends. Yes, outside! 
  12. Go on a walking tour of a city with a local guide who will tell you stories of the people who used to live in the places you visit. 
  13. Do some gardening – prune, weed, tidy, you know the sort of thing.
  14. While we’re talking gardening, plant some bulbs ready for Spring. I’m no gardener, but I’m told now is a good time.
  15. Complete your garden renovation by painting the fence and decking (pick a dry day!).
  16. Grab some binoculars and go bird watching. It’s a great time of year to spot migrating birds.
  17. Visit a nature reserve or country park for a walk
  18. Go and see the seal pups at Donna Nook, Lincolnshire (very specific, but worth the effort – November and early December are the best times to go).
  19. Or just visit any of the Wildlife Trust or RSPB nature reserves and sights across the country – there are some really fabulous places to walk and see the best of British wildlife.
  20. Go to the beach for a walk by the waves – best on a windy day!
  21. Or head to the seaside to simply watch the sunset over the ocean.
  22. Do some outdoorsy craft; go out and collect leaves and twigs and make a collage or a mobile with your kids. 
  23. Or collect pine cones and spray them with paint or cover them in glitter to make Christmas decorations.
  24. Find some kids (you know, your own…) and help them build a den in your garden or the local wood for them to play in. Or just build one for yourself, nothing wrong with that! 
  25. Fly a kite. Apparently November is a good month if you can find a great quality kite to play with.
  26. Build a massive pile of leaves and then jump in it… grab a friend and capture the fun in slow motion.
  27. Light a campfire and sing songs and toast marshmallows. 
  28. Or you’re feeling even more brave, cook your dinner on a barbecue – flame cooked isn’t just for the summer!
  29. Go bug hunting – visit a local park or woodland and see how many different insects you can spot. 
  30. Take your work outside by having a walking meeting instead of sitting inside.
  31. Take a flask of tea to a green spot and sit and watch the clouds roll by.
  32. Volunteer on (or organise) a litter pick in your local park or beach – time outdoors and doing something good for the environment. 
  33. You can “do good” outdoors in lots of ways – why volunteer as a marshall at your local Park Run or other running event next weekend.
  34. Volunteer at a local soup drive that goes out in the evening to feed the homeless. 
  35. Visit a castle and walk around the walls that our ancestors used to protect. 
  36. Go fossil hunting. There are a number of places across the UK where you can find all kinds of cool things. 
  37. Bag yourself a trig point (and take a selfie!). 
  38. Take part in a challenge hike like the Yorkshire Three Peaks or hike up Snowdon; don’t forget the weather turns super quick at this time of year so have and wear the right gear for your day out. 
  39. Go to an organised fireworks display. I’m really not a fan of putting displays on in our own gardens, but heading out to something big and proper is a great way to spend time outdoors. 
  40. You could try the “world’s biggest bonfire celebration” in Eastbourne, East Sussex
  41. Or the Lamplighter Festival in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
  42. Relax in an outdoor hot tub (I didn’t say your time outdoors should always be energetic!).
  43. Go camping! As long as you dress warmly, winter camping can be awesome, especially because the stars are out earlier and the sun rises later than in the summer!
  44. Go for a walk in an evergreen forest.
  45. Watch your local football, hockey, rugby team play.
  46. Visit a Christmas market – Bath, Nottingham, Birmingham and others are all advertising November events.
  47. Get up early to take photographs of spider’s webs.
  48. Find a lake and capture it as the mist as it rises.
  49. Take some images of heavy frost (when we get one). 
  50. Go star gazing – either on your own or find a group of knowledgeable people with telescopes and join them for the night to learn something new about the night sky.

Autumn Leaves | Splodz Blogz

Love autumn colours. Make the most of them and get outside!

Hopefully these ideas will keep you busy for at least one hour every day for the next month – but as we can always do with more inspiration, please feel free to add your suggestions in the comments below. What are your favourite things to do outside at this time of year? How do you spend your one hour outside each day? 

And if you’re not sure what One Hour Outside is, check out this post, and head over to twitter and instagram to join in the conversation. It would be great to have you join my little outdoors revolution for the next 30 days. 

19 Responses

  2. Ashley Beolens
    | Reply

    Excellent list, lots of ideas to try out. A good thing to remember is November is a great time for fungus spotting as well

    #ChasingNature

  3. lovinglifeinwelliesblog
    | Reply

    Great suggestions – there’s so much to do right?!

    I’ve done a few night hikes – last night in particular, the stars were visible, I think I may have even seen the milky way.

    Every time I stop off at my local woods, I’ve been contributing to a shelter that’s been built by various scouts etc..

    I’ve been walking lots this month.

    I’ve been collecting twigs and leaves for hedgehog homes.

    I’ve certainly been in the garden planting and tidying up.

    So much to do, love it!

    • Splodz
      | Reply

      Sound like you’re definitely making the most of November 🙂 🙂 I love that you’ve been contributing to the shelter, I wonder if the Scouts look at it each week and wonder who’s doing it?!

  4. Kate Jamieson
    | Reply

    Love this. Some great ideas in there. I’ll have to do the less mobile ones as I’ve torn my meniscus but I can still get outside in some way or another so I’m happy!

    • Splodz
      | Reply

      Ooo nasty – yes definitely take it easy, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors this month 🙂

  9. Kelly Robinson
    | Reply

    What a great follow up post!! Very inspirational as it can be hard for people to know what to do when out walking. I get so many parents asking how I keep my children interested in walking and I always list off ideas. Giving my son my camera on my phone is a great way as he loves to take photographs! Thank you for sharing #ChasingNature

    • Splodz
      | Reply

      Sometimes just “going for a walk” can sound so boring, and so combining it with some other kind of activity can motivate us to go out and enjoy the fresh air. Especially in winter.

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