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It’s happening. Leaves are changing colors, the nights are getting cooler, school buses are on the road, and football has started. It’s true...fall is just around the corner. And few things in life say “autumn” like a field full of bright orange pumpkins. Yes, folks, it’s about time to head to the pumpkin patch. From wee little sugar pumpkins to gigantic blue-ribbon pumpkins, America has a love affair with this particular squash. You can’t walk into any restaurant or cafe without finding pumpkin-flavored something on the menu. And although we are most familiar with the round, orange variety, these vegetables come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, including blue, green and white. It’s likely your children are already asking when they can get their pumpkins to carve or decorate, and they may already be planning precisely what their jack o’lanterns will look like. If you’ve always chosen your pumpkins at the local grocery store and would like to try a farm this year, or you’re looking for someplace new to visit, Twin Cities Kids Club has you covered. Kid Friendly Farms to Experience Dehn’s Pumpkin Patch, LLC Dehn’s Pumpkin Patch in Dayton, MN, is more than just a pumpkin patch. With an inflatable slide, a corn pit, a pumpkin jump house, a gourd flinger, a hayride, and a corn maze, it can be easy to forget that you came here for a pumpkin. And the pumpkins themselves are phenomenal. You can choose to pick straight from the field, or you can select one that the wagon brings in. They are available in lots of sizes, and the farm sells corn stalks and gourds, too. With a concession stand and a boutique filled with decorations and hand-crafted items, Dehn’s is a spot you can enjoy for hours. Pumpkins are $.35 per pound. Attractions prices vary. 17270 125th Avenue North Dayton, MN 55327 Nelson Farm Two words: homemade donuts. Although the donuts may be the thing you really care about, there is a whole lot more going on at this lovely family farm to make it a great pumpkin patch to visit in the Twin Cities area. Tucked in near Youngstrom Lake, this idyllic spot is in its 29th year of offering fall fun for all ages. From swinging in the hayloft to pumpkin painting competitions to live chainsaw art exhibitions, Nelson Farm is the perfect place to spend a sunny autumn afternoon. The beauty, the nostalgia, and the friendliness will draw you in until you don’t want to leave again. Admission is $9.50, ages 2 and under are free. Group rates and birthday parties are also available. 23618 CSAH 1 Litchfield, MN 55355 Pinehaven Farm If you’ve been looking all over for a spot where you can see a pirate band, then Pinehaven Farm is the place for you. This family farm has been in business since 1950, and the owners know how to entertain. Originally started as a Christmas tree farm, Pinehaven offers just about anything your family could want on a fall trip to the pumpkin patch. From exotic animals to mining, this farm goes far beyond being just a pumpkin patch. At Pinehaven, you will find a petting zoo, a tricycle obstacle course, a corn maze, a giant bouncy pillow, and a pumpkin-eating dragon. Oh, and they have pumpkins, too. If you choose to head to Pinehaven Farm, plan to spend the day. There is too much to do in a short visit, and your family will want to have plenty of time. General admission starts at $8.00 but varies by day. 28186 Kettle River Blvd. Wyoming, MN 55092 Afton Apple Orchard Don’t let the name fool you; this apple orchard does double duty in the fall as a pumpkin patch for Twin Cities families. With a petting zoo, a playground, hayrides, and a corn maze, this beautiful farm has a great deal to offer. Live music, magicians, and cider pressing will keep your family busy all day at the farm. And don’t forget, this is an apple orchard, so be sure to take advantage of that fall fun too. Afton Apple Orchard is a short orchard that makes it easy for children to enjoy picking - no ladders necessary! Activities start at $2.00 each. Pumpkins and apples are available for purchase. 14421 S. 90th Street Hastings, MN 55033 Eveland Family Farm You just can’t say no to a farm that has alpacas, pot-bellied pigs, donkeys, turkeys, and miniature horses. This beautiful farm is the quiet counterpart to pumpkin flingers and massive corn mazes. You and your family are welcome to wander around the farm to visit with the animals and to make use of our picnic pavilion. Enjoy a hayride and pick out your pumpkins, choosing from the wide variety of pumpkins and squash available. The farm also welcomes tours and school groups who would like to learn more about life on a working farm. If you’ve ever wanted to know why goats faint, this is the tour for you! Admission is $4.00 and includes the hayride, use of the picnic area, and a self-guided tour of the farm. Pumpkins and fall decor are available for purchase. 2575 Andover Blvd. Andover, MN 55304 Leave the Grocery Store Behind As you can see, the Twin Cities area has loads of pumpkin patch options, and your family is sure to find one that suits your needs. With so many beautiful spots around town, you can branch out from the after-work stop at the grocery store and get your pumpkins at the farm. The places on this list range from working farms to “agritainment,” so you have plenty to choose from. Take a drive into the country to enjoy the fresh air and autumn’s bounty at a local farm. You will find plenty to keep the whole family entertained and are certain to come home with delicious treats as well. It’s the perfect way to kick off the fall season.