Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, and a Visit to the Pumpkin Patch
Every Autumn season we like to spend time at one of the local farms with our grandkids. We spend the afternoon going through the corn maze, apple picking, going to the pumpkin patch and wrapping it up with a family hayride. It’s a fun annual tradition.
If you’re visiting one of these type’s of places to partake in fall activities you do want to be prepared. Grandkids get dressed in “play clothes” that are appropriate for the current weather conditions. We wear walking shoes or sneakers. Sometimes a jacket may be needed.
I bring along a bag with bottled water, snacks, hand wipes (to clean our hands), a little first-aid kit, sunscreen, and a bottle of bug spray! Don’t forget that bug spray as bugs can be TERRIBLE out in a farmer’s field during this time of the year!!!
Another good thing to take along is your own cotton canvas tote bags or cardboard boxes to put the pumpkins and apples in. You don’t want them rolling around your vehicle during the trip home. Plus, they can be dirty too! If you don’t have any…take an old towel along and lay it on the floor of your trunk to try to keep things clean.
One thing that we took the time to teach the grandchildren is that BIGGER is not always the BEST. This holds true when selecting your pumpkins and apples. We taught them what to look for when making their selections, so you can turn this type of outing into an educational visit too. Any pumpkins or apples that show visible damage…she be passed over. You want them to be ripe or slightly under-ripe and don’t select ones that are already dropped onto the ground or had been picked. Freshly picked by YOU is best!
If you’re going to be visiting a pick-your-own Sunflowers field you should be prepared to bring along your own flower cutters. I like to also bring an old cotton towel and a jug of water. After I cut my sunflowers I place them in a wet towel and roll it up around the freshly cut stems until we get home. They can have some insects on them so be prepared for that too.
We love going out and enjoying fall activities together as a family. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, exercise, and bond together as a family. It’s fun and can be very educational for the kids too!
