It's fall which means pumpkins, hayrides, bonfires and boots. The weather gets cooler, most of the time, it gets darker earlier and Halloween and Thanksgiving are upon us. What better way to celebrate fall than visiting your local pumpkin patch.
Now you may be thinking why should I drive to a pumpkin patch, stand outside in the heat/cold and walk all over the place when I could just go to the grocery store and grab a perfectly good pumpkin. Well that is all true but I want you to know that it's not all about the pumpkin, it is about the experience. It is about exploring, getting outside, spending time with family or friends and enjoying all the pumpkin patch has to offer.
Here are 5 reasons why you should ditch grocery store pumpkins and visit a Pumpkin Patch:
1. Fun for the whole family
Pumpkin patches are full of fun, family friendly activities the whole family will love. From petting zoos to corn mazes, corn pits and hay bale climbing, the kids are guaranteed to have fun. Most pumpkin patches also have shops that sell mums, cider and more.
Every pumpkin patch is different and has different activities. Some cost money and others are free so make sure to call ahead to find out the times and cost.
One of our local pumpkin patches is free to visit but some of their activities such as pony rides, the corn maze and llama train rides cost extra. They have several free activities to do from corn hole to a hay maze and pumpkin toss along with picnic tables to have a picnic at.
One of our local pumpkin patches is free to visit but some of their activities such as pony rides, the corn maze and llama train rides cost extra. They have several free activities to do from corn hole to a hay maze and pumpkin toss along with picnic tables to have a picnic at.
2. Larger Variety of Pumpkins
If you visit a pumpkin patch, you will have a larger variety of pumpkins to choose from than you will at your local grocery store. The pumpkin patch has pumpkin of all shapes, sizes and colors. They also usually have gourds, mums and cider for sale.
The pumpkins cost are usually based on weight so depending on what pumpkins you pick out, it may be cheaper than buying grocery store pumpkins that average $5. We usually spend $15-$17 for five pumpkins.
The pumpkins cost are usually based on weight so depending on what pumpkins you pick out, it may be cheaper than buying grocery store pumpkins that average $5. We usually spend $15-$17 for five pumpkins.
3. Pumpkin Hunting
What better way to waste time in the great outdoors than hunting for the perfect pumpkin?! My kids are all still young but they love running through the pumpkin patch looking for their favorite pumpkin. Last year my kids filled the wagon with pumpkins they loved and then we narrow it down to our favorites.
This may not sound like fun, but it is harder than you think to find the perfect pumpkin. With such a large variety of pumpkins to choose from - green, white, orange, large, small, long stem, no stem, rotten, boils, odd shaped - your options are endless. What pumpkin will you choose?
4. The Pictures
I don't know about you, but I am obsessed with pictures and pumpkin patches make for great photo opportunities. Every year I try to pose my kids and get a fancy picture but I usually end up failing because my kids want to run free. Do you blame them?
I have captured several wonderful snapshots of my kids at the pumpkin patch from them playing on the hay bails to digging through corn to posing with pumpkins and gourds.
5. Supporting a Local Business
By visiting a local pumpkin patch, you are supporting a local business. You are putting money toward a family business so they can keep supplying you with pumpkins and fun experiences instead of throwing your money to mass retailers.
Several pumpkin patches help supply pumpkins for schools, churches or donate some of their proceeds to different organizations. Our local pumpkin patch had pink-ish pumpkins this year and the proceeds helped support breast cancer awareness. Check with your local pumpkin patch to see what/if they help support any organizations.
Now I get that the pumpkin patch isn't for everyone, but it is definitely worth a visit especially since pumpkin patches are seasonal so it's not like you can go anytime but fall. I'm sure I could think of several more reasons why you should ditch the grocery store pumpkins and visit your local pumpkin patch instead but like I said before, it's not about the pumpkins, it is about the experience.
I'd love to know why you enjoy visiting the pumpkin patch
in the comments below.
I love the pictures I take every year.
My husband loves the Apple Cider.
My kids love pumpkin hunting.
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