Fall is here, which means every child is searching for that perfect pumpkin. While the perfect pumpkin is important, what is more important as parents is finding the perfect pumpkin patch. A pumpkin patch needs to be family friendly, full of nice ripe pumpkins, affordable for families on a budget, and most importantly, managed with love. Say hello to affordable Fall Family Fun at the Perryville Pumpkin Farm, and tips to enjoy your local pumpkin patch.
Affordable Fall Family Fun
It is the time of year that we all make way to the local pumpkin patch to find our perfect pumpkin. A few years ago, the kids and I discovered Perryville Pumpkin Farm in Perryville, Missouri. We can’t resist and keep going back year after year, even as the kids grow older. We feel pumpkin patches are the perfect place for affordable fall family fun.
As a mom, it is harder for me to find the perfect pumpkin patch than it is to find the perfect pumpkin. The goal is always to have a good time and find the best pumpkin –– without emptying my wallet. Perryville Pumpkin Farm is smaller than many of the pumpkin patches around. But to me, that is what makes them so family friendly and perfect for a quiet, affordable, and fun family afternoon.
Fall Festivities at the Perryville Pumpkin Farm
Upon arriving at the Perryville Pumpkin Farm, the owner greeted our family, and he insisted that we take a tractor-drawn hayride to the pumpkin patch. In my little man’s head, this was the best part. I think they drove the long way around to make the ride last a little longer.
Once we arrived at the patch, we discovered hundreds of pumpkins to choose from, with all different shapes, colors, and sizes. My rule for my kids is that they can pick whatever pumpkin they want, but they must be able to carry it. Unfortunately, as my kids grow, they can carry bigger pumpkins. Nothing like spending $20 on a pumpkin as my kids are strong!
It’s More Than Pumpkins
After selecting our pumpkin, we enjoyed the fun and educational corn maze. Yes, the maze is not only mind-boggling, it’s also filled with educational facts. Even as an adult raised on a farm, I surprisingly learned a lot. My kids also enjoyed a few rounds of hillbilly golf, pumpkin bowling, and other fall-related games.
But pumpkin patches are more than simply choosing your pumpkin. My kids also enjoyed a few rounds of hillbilly golf, pumpkin bowling, and other fall-related games.
We could not leave without giving at least a half a dozen goats and other farm animals hugs and kisses. The owners do allow you to feed them (food provided by the farm), but if you have kids like mine, they just enjoyed goat slobbers.
Did We Mention Affordable Fall Family Fun?
While the kids were in awe of the family fun we found at the Perryville Pumpkin Farm, I was in awe at how little we spent on this affordable fall family fun afternoon. On our first visit, we left the house with $20, spent around three hours at the farm, picked two nice size pumpkins, and returned home with $5 leftover.
Prices do vary from year to year and by the size of pumpkins. But each year we’ve visited, I spent my money well, and the kids have always felt that they have had the perfect afternoon out.
Perryville Pumpkin Farm is located at 1410 Allens Landing Road in Perryville, MO. The farm is open seven days a week thru November 1, but wagon rides to the patch operate Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm (or by appointment.) For more information or a complete list of details, please check Perryville Pumpkin Farm’s website or give them a call at 573-513-2899.
Tips to Enjoy your Local Pumpkin Patch
Now I know not everyone is close enough to visit Perryville Pumpkin Farm, so here is a list of things you may consider when looking for your perfect pumpkin patch to create your own affordable fall family fun.
What to Wear to the Pumpkin Patch
- Before you head to any pumpkin patch, you must know to dress appropriately. The wagons are full of straw and hay, so tights and leggings are not suggested. Jeans are best. The farms are mostly outdoors, so base your outerwear on the current day’s temperatures. Once you
- The farms are mostly outdoors, so base your outerwear on the current day’s temperatures. Once you arrive at the patch, there is no turning back.
- You will be on a farm, so know that what you wear will likely get dirty.
- Good walking shoes are suggested as the ground may be unlevel and you’ll be walking on rough terrain.
What to Look for In a Pumpkin Patch
- Is the pumpkin farm locally owned and family operated? I have always found the best destinations are owned and managed by families. This makes me feel better because they understand the struggles of parenting.
- Do they share photos of their set up and equipment? I will not visit a place that is not open and honest about what they have to offer.
- What else besides pumpkins to do they offer? Are there games to play, treats to taste, and animals to see? Finding a pumpkin is easy, but filling the afternoon with fun is the hard part.
- What is their entrance fee? Do they only charge for the pumpkin? Are there additional fees for games? Are the charges per person? Nothing puts a cut into my budget more than paying an entrance fee for each child AND then the sticker shock of an overpriced pumpkin.
- Is the pumpkin patch safe? Is your child’s safety their first priority? Do they instruct the children to sit down on the hayride? Do they have they hayrides and tractors away from where kids are playing?
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