What's on in November

Here’s our great selection of events, things to do and days out for kids of all ages...

Find the best British sausage

2-8 November

Sausage Week

www.britishsausageweek.com/

There are two things here. Firstly, the hunt for the UK’s finest sausage starts this week and secondly, it’s Bonfire Night. Both of which seem to tie together extremely well. So why not celebrate Sausage Week by gobbling up some delicious, locally produced bangers on Bonfire Night? Sounds yum!

Have an eco Bonfire Night

5 November

Bonfire night is not the most ecofriendly event, but there are few things you can do for the environment if you and your family throw a bonfire party:

• For the bonfire, use untreated wood and branches to minimise the smoke – and make sure there are no little creatures living inside like hedgehogs.
• For the fireworks, why not try the latest ecofriendly fireworks – they work by using compressed air.
• For warming Bonfire Night grub, make sure it’s seasonal or locally produced or why not have a look through our Eat Greener section?

If you’re thinking of going see the fireworks, give Lewes Bonfire Night a try – it’s the biggest in the country!

Learn how to make Christmas decorations

14 November

Christmas Decorating Workshop

Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/eventsNet/default.aspx?propertyID=40

You know Christmas is on the way when there’s tinsel and holly appear in the shops for you to buy. But what would be even better and greener to do is make the decorations yourself. How cool would that be? At Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Cambridge, you can do just that... They have workshops where you can turn rush and willow into rustic decorations for your home and tree.

See rubbish turned into art

Until 15 November

Make do and mend

V&A Museum of Childhood, London

www.vam.ac.uk/moc/whats_on/exhibitions/make_do_and_mend/index.html

Ever wondered what you could do with that old doll or perhaps those comic books you never read? Make Do and Mend combines the work of modern designers and local schoolchildren to rework salvaged domestic and industrial waste to create stylish, quirky new products.

Discover cycle routes in your area

17 November

London Cycling Awards

www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1438

London has lots of places where you can cycle – parks, river paths and woodland trails to name but a few – which is why the London Cycling Awards recognises things like the best community cycle initiative and the best cycling initiative for children. Cycling is a great way to explore your local area and it’s really green too, so hop on your bike and see what you can discover!

Do something for charity

20 November

Children in Need

www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/

If you’re planning to do something for this year’s Children in Need, why not raise money the green way? Get the whole family involved in a healthy sponsored walk or if that’s not up your street, you could try a car boot sale. For more fundraising ideas, visit the Children in Need website.

Make an eco Christmas pudding

22 November

Stir-up Sunday

www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/CUSTOMS/Xmas/stirup.htm

In the old days, families used to make their own Christmas puddings a month before Christmas day. It was called Stir-up Sunday and giving the pudding a stir was seen as really lucky. Making your own Christmas pudding is much greener than buying one, as it cuts out lots of unnecessary packaging and keeps your food miles down. Why not give it a go this year?

Plant a tree

25 November – 6 December

National Tree Week

www.treecouncil.org.uk/?q=node/43

National Tree Week is the UK's largest tree celebration and it launches the start of the winter tree-planting season. Trees are really important for the environment, as they absorb carbon dioxide and help prevent flooding and soil erosion. Why not go along to one of the many events this week and help plant trees, discover the trees in your neighbourhood, or take part in the Tree O’Clock Challenge (5 December) – to see how many trees can be planted in an hour!

Head to the eco home

Until 7 February 2010

Geffrye Museum, London

www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/whatson/events/

Everyone’s talking about climate change and how we can change it. So at the Geffrye Museum in London, they’ve created an Eco Home. It looks at the current ideas about eco living, how recycling and saving energy are top of everyone’s priority lists and how ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ is prompting us to rethink our habits and behaviour. It’s a great place to pick up eco tips and ideas for the home.