Fall is here, and that means it is time to start shopping for pumpkins. Although you can easily pick up a pumpkin from the store, it can be a fun experience for both you and your kids to visit a pumpkin patch. Not only will your kids get to have fun picking out a pumpkin, but a fall pumpkin patch will provide fun activities and foods to eat. Let's take a look at some reasons why you should take your kids to a pumpkin patch this year.
Your Kids Will Have Fun Picking Their Own Pumpkins
The main reason why you are going to the pumpkin patch with your kids is because it is a fun activity to pick your own pumpkins. Although your kid may not be able to carry their own pumpkins, depending on the size, they will get to have fun looking through the field and choosing which ones they like the best. When you get home, your kids can help carve the pumpkin to make jack o'lanterns. Or if you will be using the pumpkins for making pies, have your kids help you. They will enjoy carving pumpkins more if they know that they picked the pumpkins.
Fun Activities Are Provided at Pumpkin Patches
Besides picking pumpkins, there should be a lot of fun activities provided at your local pumpkin patch. From hayrides to corn mazes, the activities can be fun and even educational. Here are some of the most popular activities that you'll see at pumpkin patches.
- Corn maze - Corn mazes are perhaps the most common activity that you'll find at pumpkin patches. Some corn mazes are an acre long, while others can be 10 acres. Your kids can either race through the corn maze, or your whole family can enjoy walking through it. If your kids are young, you may want to stick with them. The last thing you want is your kids to go missing in a corn maze.
- Hayrides - Another common activity is hayrides. Basically, a tractor with hay bales as the seating will take you to the pumpkin patch, and maybe even take you on a tour around the farm.
- Petting zoo - Pumpkin patches usually have petting zoos. Your kids may have fun looking at the animals and petting them.
- Face painting - If your kids like getting their faces painted, they will love this activity. They should be able to get their faces painted to look like pumpkins, scarecrows, and more.
- Hay maze - It's like a corn maze, but it is made of hay instead. Your kids can have fun climbing the hay bales and getting lost in the hay.
- Train ride - This activity is like the hayride, but this time your kids ride in a train. The train is sometimes made out of barrels, but other times they are wooden boxes. A tractor pulls the train around.
- Giant sandbox made of corn (or wheat) - This activity can be fun for younger kids. It is basically a giant sandbox, but instead of it being sand it is corn kernels or wheat kernels. Your kids can dive into the sandbox and make fun shapes, or they can simply stick their hands into it.
- Hay slides - Similar to a park, this activity has slides that your kids can slide down. But instead of having stairs for your kids to climb up, your kids must climb up hay bales.
Food Is Served at Pumpkin Patches
Another fun reason why you should take your kids to the pumpkin patch is because tasty foods will be served. Doughnuts, cookies, pumpkin seeds, candy apples, kettle corn, apple cider, and hot chocolate are common foods to find at a pumpkin patch. However, some pumpkin patches serve sandwiches, pumpkin milkshakes, and roasted corn. Some pumpkin patches will say on their website what food they will be serving. You may want to check out their menu ahead of time so that you know if you should bring snacks or not.
Take Photos to Remember This Fun Day
Taking your kids to the pumpkin patch is going to be a fun day for all of you, so don't forget to take some pictures while you are there. There are so many fun ways you can take pictures of your kids at the pumpkin patch. Here are some tips for capturing the perfect photo of your family.
- Use the photo props provided at the pumpkin patch. Your local pumpkin patch should provide photo props for families to use. If so, take advantage of them. It can be fun to show how much your kids grow each year by having them pose in the same photo props.
- Keep your kids happy by bringing food along. If your kids aren't happy, the photos are not going to turn out good. Besides, this special day is about having fun, right? Therefore, take some food along. Simple snacks like pumpkin bread or crackers help keep your kids fueled and ready to go search the field for pumpkins. If your local pumpkin patch serves food, you can give your kids those snacks instead of bringing your own.
- Dress your kids in warm clothes. Yes, you want your family to look picture perfect. But you also want them to stay warm if it will be a cold day. Even if you'd prefer that they wear certain clothes for the pictures, if the clothes won't keep your kids warm the whole day won't be fun. Sweaters, hats, scarves, rain boots, and mittens will keep your kids warm and prepared for a day of fun. Make sure you dress warm too.
- Take pictures of your kids playing in the activities. Sometimes action shots are the best. Take photos of your kids exploring the corn maze, looking at the petting zoo, riding in the hay wagon, and having fun playing all the other activities at the pumpkin patch.
- Bring your own photo props. Even if the pumpkin patch provides photo props, it can be fun to bring your own. Perhaps you could bring a wagon and have your kids sit in it with their pumpkins. Simple photo props can make the pictures of your kids look so much better.
- Remember to have fun. Don't force your kids to pose in the pumpkin patch if they aren't having fun. You may want to take a few pictures of your kids looking for a pumpkin instead of having them stand still and hold their pumpkins. That way they get to have fun picking a pumpkin, and you can have fun taking pictures of them. Remember that this is a day of fun. There is no point in having everyone be miserable just because you want to take a few pictures. If your kids just aren't too excited today, come to the pumpkin patch a different day.
Tips for Taking Kids to a Pumpkin Patch
Even though this day is suppose to be fun, it can also be frustrating, especially if your kids aren't in the right mood for picking pumpkins. To help make your day more fun, here are some tips to keep in mind when taking your kids to the pumpkin patch.
Plan Ahead
Although it may be easier to just arrive at the pumpkin patch, if you do research ahead of time you'll know which activities you'll want your kids to do. It will make life so much easier if you know which activities your kids will be doing, instead of stopping at each activity.
Be Prepared to Help Your Kids
Even if your kids run straight into the field to pick a pumpkin, that doesn't mean that they will be able to bring the pumpkins back. Be prepared to help your kids carry the pumpkins. Your kids may also need help picking the pumpkins. The stems can be rough on little hands, so be ready to help your child pull the pumpkin off the vine. Make sure you wear the right clothing since you will be helping your children carry the pumpkins.
Bring Snacks and Dress Warm
Like I mentioned earlier, it is important that your kids don't arrive to the pumpkin patch with empty stomachs. If they are hungry they will most likely not have as much fun. Also make sure you dress your children in the right clothing. Your kids won't have fun if their hands or feet are cold.
Go During a Weekday If Possible
If possible, go to the pumpkin patch during the week instead of a weekend. It won't be as busy during the week, which means you won't have to wait in line for activities or get lost in the crowd. Keep in mind though that some activities may not be available during the week. If you must go during the weekend, try to go as soon as the pumpkin patch opens.
Final Thoughts
Taking your kids to the pumpkin patch can be a fun activity to add to your bucket list this year. Not only do they get to pick their own pumpkin, but they can have fun exploring the activities and eating the foods provided. You can also snap some gorgeous pictures of your kids picking pumpkins and getting lost in a corn maze. Have fun!
