Pumpkin Patch Fun for Everyone
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On one particular fall day, I was carrying giant orange gourds through the pumpkin patch, trying to keep up with our very excited rascals. Having underestimated the excitement our boys would show in picking their precious pumpkins, I laughed a little, and walked a bit faster to keep up with them.
It's our tradition to go to pumpkin patches in the fall. There’s something lovely about all of the little orange blobs scattered across an open field while kids and parents mill about looking for the perfect addition to bring home to decorate their home for Halloween. Some may end up being carved, painted, or left in their full, round, pumpkin glory.
Two years ago when we took AJ and Ben (then 2 and 4), they picked small, petite pumpkins - easily carried as the boys ran about. Fast forward to last year, we realized the boys had new pumpkin picking expectations - which left us struggling to carry the biggest pumpkins we’ve ever seen back to the car.
This year I was prepared. Speaking from our experience, let me share with you the top 5 ways to make the most of your fall pumpkin patch visit.
1. Use the pumpkin patch as a way to talk about seasons
This may seem like an odd place to start, but it’s been a great conversation moment in my house. We live in Southern California, where the weather is a chilly 60 degrees in the winter (okay, perhaps that is a little bit of an exaggeration, but still fairly true). Visiting the pumpkin patch is our way to signify fall’s arrival, even if it is still 85 degrees outside.
Each year, I’ve had a conversation with my boys talking about what seasons are, what they look like, feel like, and sound like. It’s a conversation that lets me ask them questions and hear their perspectives. Before going to the pumpkin patch, talk to your kids about seasons and what they might experience on your fall adventure. Some good questions to ask might include:
Do you know what seasons are?
Do you have a favorite season?
What is fall/winter/spring/summer like?
What does fall/winter/spring/summer taste/look/feel/smell/sound like?
How do you know it’s a new season?
What kind of things to do you enjoy doing in fall/winter/spring/summer?
Now, both my rascals loves fall. Once they hear we’re going to the pumpkin patch, they immediately start to look forward to everything they know happens in the fall season. I recommend asking these questions every year, as their answers may change as their interests grow and they learn more about seasons and family traditions.
2. Timing is Everything
This isn’t where I tell you when you go. There are lots of great times for the pumpkin patch! I do recommend, however, that you think about what your family enjoys before scheduling your trip.
For example, if you and your rascals want to avoid crowds, you might want to go on weekdays or off-times. Your local pumpkin patch should be able to advise you of those “down times” if you’re unsure. Or, if you have a tight budget, try going later in the season, when pumpkin patches have already had their rush and you might be able to get a deal.
3. Bring a wagon, a dolly, or a donkey
Basically, anything to help you carry those bad boys. Take a word of advice from me- we almost forgot our wagon when we went to the patch this year, and it would have been another disastrous mistake. While I might be able to carry a large pumpkin for a short time, there is a time limit before my arms get tired and my patience is tested. It’s advisable to think ahead and plan out the way to carry the pumpkins back to the car. If you don’t have a wagon or dolly at your disposal, you can tell your rascals that they can choose any pumpkin that they can carry themselves, and as they get older they can choose to get larger and larger pumpkins. This is a way to give them the freedom of choice, while also the responsibility of care.
4. Logistics can sink ships
Parking is always the overlooked hurdle. Some parking situations are very easy, while others may throw you for a loop. Make it easy for yourself and your little ones by figuring out the parking logistics before you arrive. Try to find information before you leave, either with the Google Maps street view at the patch location, their personal website, or other social media posts about the location. Identifying your parking preferences or special needs/accessibility of the location in advance can both alleviate stress and set expectations for your arrival.
5. Abandon your expectations
This is supposed to be fun! It’s hard for a planner like myself to sometimes abandon my expectations. But if you have little ones, it will be especially important to be flexible. You might want that perfect pumpkin, perfect picture, or perfect moment. Yet, despite these expectations, kids are wildly unpredictable, as are the crowds and the pumpkin patch experience. You can plan for hours and still not be able to do all that you wanted. Just remember to enjoy your time together and know there’s always next year.
This year, we took the boys back to our favorite pumpkin patch, the Cal Poly Pumpkin Patch. It’s been our tradition since before our boys were born. I took my own advice and considered all of my five tips before arriving. We had a blast and even invited some friends to join. Hopefully you can do the same.
Good luck, dear readers!
Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 4 and 6. Photo by Simply Adri Photography.
