Here’s a great list of pumpkin patch field trip activities and ideas that make planning school and fun family adventures easy. (First published September 26, 2015; this post is updated and republished to improve the content.)
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! You might also enjoy our Fall Bucket List of autumn activities and crafts.
Related: Apple Orchard Family Field Trip Ideas
Pumpkin Patch Guide
Go on a field trip to a pumpkin patch to celebrate the blessings of an abundant harvest this autumn. Children love going to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins and enjoy the fun.
Related: Corn Maze Family Field Trip Ideas
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, carousel, zip-line, 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, they often have other attractions to keep the little ones happily entertained.
Related: 20 Thanksgiving Traditions and Fun Things to Do on Thanksgiving
How to Find a Pumpkin Patch Near You
Check your local newspaper or family resource guide for a nearby pumpkin patch. 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 you would like to visit, call them to find out if carts are provided or if you can bring your own wagon
.
Another good question is about the type of pumpkins they have available. Below are my tips for choosing the type of pumpkin you need. You may also want to ask if there will be food available or places to eat if you want 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 do with it.
You will want to ensure the pumpkin patch you visit has the type of pumpkin you want. Will you be carving, decorating, baking, or using pumpkins for the educational activities listed in the next section?
If you want to make homemade 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 a firm pumpkin with no soft spots or signs of any rot. A few more pumpkin recipe ideas are listed below.
If you are carving your pumpkins or decorating them in some way, look for a visually appealing pumpkin without any soft spots or signs of rot. Choose a pumpkin with a stem and ensure it sits how 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 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 these fun pumpkin activities for kids on the lists below.
Related: Signs of Autumn Fall Scavenger Hunt 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 whatever you see or imagine 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 Pumpkin | 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 can find some sugar pumpkins, try the fun pumpkin recipes below!
- How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree – make your own pumpkin puree from scratch with these easy instructions!
- 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
- Jack o’ Lantern Salt Painting
- Glow in the Dark Halloween Pumpkin Sensory Bottle
- Harvest Pumpkin Watercolor Art Project (photo below)
Look at this round-up of fall art projects for kids for more ideas. It includes several more ideas, including pumpkin crafts and fun Halloween art projects!
Related: The Best Fall Art Projects for Kids
Pumpkin Books for Kids
Reading books about pumpkins and 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 them using the affiliate links provided. Click on the book images below to learn more about each book.
- Pumpkin Patch Blessings
- Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch
- Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin
- Peter Rabbit and the Pumpkin Patch
- It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
- Apples and Pumpkins
Related: Gratitude Books for Kids That Inspired Thankfulness
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.
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
More Field Trip Ideas and Activities
More Halloween Crafts and Activities
- Glowing Halloween Luminaries
- Halloween Art Projects Kids Love
- Giant Stick Spider Web Halloween Decoration
- Spider Magnet Crafts and Halloween Decorations
- Halloween Porch Decor
- Spider Egg Sac Halloween Decoration
- 13 Healthy Treats and Fun Alternatives for Halloween
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.
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!
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!
Wow, Leah! That sounds like you had an amazing time learning about pumpkins… Well done!