Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Activities

Use this round-up of pumpkin patch field trip activities to plan school trips and fun family adventures.

This round-up of pumpkin patch field trip activities for kids includes; information to help you find a “pumpkin patch near me,” how to choose a pumpkin, pumpkin decorating and pumpkin carving ideas, pumpkin recipes, pumpkin activities, pumpkin books for kids, and more!

Pumpkin Patch Guide

Go on a field trip to a pumpkin patch to celebrate the blessings of a good harvest this autumn. Children love going to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins and enjoy the fun.

Types of Pumpkin Patches

There are several types of pumpkin patches. Some have other fun attractions like a hayride, train ride, corn maze, petting zoo, bounce house, and more. Other pumpkin patches are simply for finding pumpkins.

You will find three main types of pumpkin patches; Pick your own, already harvested, and church lawns. No matter which you choose there are often other attractions to keep the little ones happily entertained.

How to Find a Pumpkin Patch Near You

To find a pumpkin patch near you check your local newspaper or family resource guide. Another easy way to find a local pumpkin patch is to type “pumpkin patch near me” into the google search bar.

Once you find a pumpkin patch that you would like to visit, it’s a good idea to call and find out if carts are provided or if you can bring your own wagon.

Another good question to ask is the type of pumpkins that they have available. You will find my tips for choosing the type of pumpkin you need below. You may also want to ask if there will be food available, or places to eat if you would like to bring your own family picnic.

Related: Rustic Oak Apple Nature Craft

How to Choose A Pumpkin

There are three main types of pumpkins; carving, gourds, and baking or pie pumpkins. The type of pumpkin you need will depend on what you will be doing with it.

You will want to make sure the pumpkin patch that you visit has the type of pumpkins that you are looking for. Will you be carving, decorating, baking, or using pumpkins for the educational activities listed in the next section?

If you will be making pumpkin puree, you will want to choose a small 8 to 10-inch sugar pumpkin. Sugar pumpkins are sweeter than other pumpkins and have been developed for eating. Look for one that is firm with no soft spots or signs of any rot. A few more pumpkin recipe ideas are listed below.

If you will be carving your pumpkins or decorating them in some way look for a pumpkin that is visually appealing without any soft spots or signs of rot. Choose a pumpkin with a stem and make sure it sits the way you want it to when placed on a flat surface.

You will also want to choose a color and shape that will work for the design you have in mind. Pumpkin carving ideas and no-carve decorating ideas can be found below.

Make sure to grab an extra pumpkin or two to try some of the fun pumpkin activities for kids listed in the next section!

Related: Outdoor Activities for Kids

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Activities

Once you pick out your pumpkins and get them back home or to the classroom, try any of these fun pumpkin activities for kids.

How to Carve or Decorate Pumpkins

I like to think of painting and carving pumpkins like rock painting or looking at clouds in the sky. What do you see in the pumpkin that you are looking at?

Paint or carve that with acrylic paints or pumpkin carving tools.

Or, try any one of the fun pumpkin carving and no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas listed below!

Pumpkin Carving Ideas and No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

Best Ever Pumpkin Carving Tip | Happy Hooligans
Over 700 Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils | Spaceships and Laserbeams
Melted Crayon Pumpkin Craft | Color Made Happy
Googly Eyed Pupkin | She Wears Many Hats
Faux No Carve Jack O’ Lantern | Non-Toy Gifts
Spider Web Pumpkin | Woman’s Day
Photo Pumpkin | Sugar and Charm
Chalkboard Pumpkins | Sunny Day Family
Squeeze Paint Pumpkin Art | Hello, Wonderful!
Little House in a Pumpkin | Adventure in a Box

Related: Fall Nature Crafts

Pumpkin Recipes

If you are able to find some sugar pumpkins, try any of these fun pumpkin recipes listed below!

How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree – make your own pumpkin puree from scratch!
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Recipe
Stay tuned for our gluten-free pumpkin pie recipe!

Fun and Educational Pumpkin Activities for Kids

Bring home an extra pumpkin or two for some of these fun activities. They are a great way to extend learning and continue the fun!

Parts of a Pumpkin Montessori Cards | The Crafty Classroom
Best Kindergarten and Preschool Pumpkin Activities | Little Bins for Little Hands
40 Pumpkin Activities for Kids | Hands on as We Grow
Pumpkin Science Experiments | Little Bins for Little Hands

Pumpkin Arts and Crafts for Kids

For more ideas, pop over to have a look at this round-up of fall art projects for kids. It includes a lot more pumpkin arts and crafts for kids, and fun Halloween art projects, too!

Pumpkin Books for Kids

Reading books about pumpkins and pumpkin patches is a fun way to extend learning and make it even more fun for the kids. Put these on the library list or purchase using the affiliate links I have provided for your convenience. Click on the book images below to learn more about each book.

Go on a Field Trip to a Pumpkin Patch

Use this pumpkin patch field trip activity guide to help you get ready for your trip to the pumpkin patch.

Going to a pumpkin patch is a classic fall activity for school trips and fun family adventures. Pumpkin patches are fun because they often have hayrides, a corn maze, and/or a petting zoo in addition to pumpkins.

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Comments

Taylor Bishop says

at

Cool article for pumpkin patches. You mentioned you should try to find out if the pumpkin patch has pumpkins you are looking for. It sounds important to research different types of pumpkins before hand so you have a better idea of what you should look for.

- nell says
  
  at
  
  Yes, it is Taylor.
  
  I think most pumpkin patches that are open to the public have carving pumpkins available. But if you are looking for pumpkins to bake with it is important to make sure the pumpkin patch has sugar pie pumpkins!
  
Leah says

at

This is a really good idea. We have just concluded a month long unit study on Halloween and pumpkins today. As part of the unit study, I took the twins to a pumpkin patch and read stories about pumpkins as well. We even had our own version of a culinary bake off with pumpkins. And we did some math related to pumpkins too. I even had the children participate in some fun science experiments that revolved around pumpkins.

To wrap things up, I finished by allowing both kids to do some art with pumpkins. Next time I’m going to have them write a recount about their trip to a pumpkin patch. And make a mini fact file. The kids loved it. I made pumpkin soup and pie. We even tried making pumpkin crumble. It was lovely!

- Nell Regan M.A. says
  
  at
  
  Wow, Leah! That sounds like you had an amazing time learning about pumpkins… Well done!

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Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Activities

Use this round-up of pumpkin patch field trip activities to plan school trips and fun family adventures.