A Collin County Mom’s Guide to the Month of November

Welcome to November, Mamas! Are your circuits fried from current events overload? If so, we’ve got lots of great ideas for blowing off steam and recharging your batteries with family and friends. Below you’ll find a list of some of our favorite Collin County activities in the November event guide. Be sure to PIN IT for later OR subscribe to our Newsletter and have our monthly guides sent straight to your inbox. Keep in mind that some of the weekly activities will be affected by Thanksgiving, so be sure to double check that week. And I must warn you, a few Christmas events have already snuck their way onto the list. I’m only human, y’all.

All Month :: Dinosaurs Live! is going strong at the Heard in McKinney. We’re probably in no danger of this yet, but keep in mind that the animatronic dinos aren’t turned on when temps drop below 45 degrees. Non-member prices: $11/adults, $8/kids 3-12, 2 & under free.

November 1, 8, 15 :: Mini Maestros for ages 3-6 at the Davis Library in Plano. Little ones get a chance to learn basic musical concepts like pitch and rhythm with books, songs, and interactive experiences. 10am. Free, but tickets are distributed starting 30 minutes before class.

November 1, 8, 15, 29 :: Frisco Public Library has a lap-sit class for pre-walkers on Wednesdays at 10:30, 11:00, and 11:30am. If that doesn’t apply to you, check out their other Early Literacy programs here or Elementary programs here. They also offer evening and weekend story times for littles. Free!

November 1, 15 :: LEGO League for 1st-4th graders at the Smith Library in Wylie. Kids can work alone or in teams to create LEGO builds with a theme of “Imagination Station.” Register in person at the Children’s Desk. 3:30-4:30pm. Free!

November 2, 9, 16, 30 :: Zumbini at Kid Expressions in McKinney is so popular that they added an extra session. On Thursdays from 9:45-10:15am, bring your kiddos ages 0-4 for music, movement, and bonding. Classes are sold in bundles of five, click the link for registration information.

November 3 :: Fun on the Farm: Let’s Build a Scarecrow at Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano. Children ages 2-5 can enjoy a story, activity, craft project and wagon ride from 10:30am-12pm. Don’t forget, they like you to register in advance. $11 for 1 adult and child, $7 for additional children. 

November 3, 10, 17, 24 :: It’s been a minute since we’ve mentioned the Interurban Railway Museum in Plano. Every Friday at 10:30am, join Genie and Eugene the Motormouse for songs and storytime followed by a guided tour of Car 360. Free!

November 4 :: It’s the 8th Annual Festival at the Switchyard in Historic Downtown Carrollton, and I must point out the extreme 90’s nostalgia required in booking the Toadies and Everclear as headliners. Love it. They’ll also have festival booths, food vendors, a beer garden, and a kids’ area with entertainers, zip line, bungee trampoline, and more! 11am-10pm. Free!

November 4, 5, 10-12 :: Minor league hockey games are so fun and laid back, and the Allen Americans have a bunch of home games this month at the Allen Events Center. Sunday games start at 4:05, so it doesn’t even have to be an “up too late” situation. P.S. You can often find a Groupon for tickets!

November 10-11 :: Have you heard about Legacy Hall? They’re celebrating their opening with a Fall for the Hall block party with a big outdoor stage and LED screen, Dallas mural artists, pop-up bars and BBQ, plus signature favorites from the 21 food stalls inside. Friday hours: 5pm-midnight, Saturday: 10am-midnight.

November 10 :: For those who a) collect them and b) want to get a jump on things, Santa photos commence at the Shops at Willow Bend today. The Salvation Army Angel Tree also goes up today —such a great way to get your kids involved in giving. Both are open during regular mall hours.

November 11 :: Frisco celebrates Veterans Day with a Frisco Community Parade beginning at Toyota Stadium and heading through historic downtown. It’s a true community gathering with floats, marching bands, high school and local sports teams, civic organizations, and lots more. You know the kids will love scrambling for all that parade candy. 10am. Free!

November 18 :: Spin, Pop, Boom at Schimelpfenig Library in Plano. This is a Mad Scientist demonstration for kids of all ages. Steaming chemical reactions, foaming hands, and more. Let’s get them interested in chemistry! 3pm. Free!

November 18-19 :: If you’re ready for even more pre-Thanksgiving Christmas events, this weekend the Plano Christmas Market showcases handmade holiday gifts and decor for all ages – crafty stuff, clothing and jewelry, food and treats, and the Hip Hop for Gray booth stocked with goods made by Collin County seniors. Friday: 9am-5pm. Saturday: Noon-4pm. Free!

November 22, 24-26 :: Disney On Ice presents Reach For The Stars at the Allen Events Center with Mickey and the usual gang + characters from Frozen, Tangled, The Little Mermaid, and more. Evening and afternoon showtimes, tickets start at $32. $18 commemorative plastic cup not included (I make that joke every time, but seriously!).

November 23 :: My family hasn’t yet embraced the Turkey Trot as a Thanksgiving tradition, but the older I get, the more I like the idea of a fitness activity before the feast. 100% of proceeds from the North Texas Turkey Trot in Frisco Square benefit Miracle League of Frisco, a sports organization for children ages 5-19 with special needs. Save $10 when you register a family of 4 or more!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Let us know what else you are up to this month!