Our Pumpkin Patch Picks

When you have kids (or just love dragging your spouse to cutesy little farms in the hopes of a great new profile pic for Facebook), there's nothing better than bundling up for a day of picking that perfect pumpkin.

Unless you're crazy busy and can't find a weekend to do said pumpkin picking ... That would be us these days.

Since no weekend days were open, we made due with a Thursday morning without Daddy, and although we couldn't head to our favorite place (see below), we tried one of our runner ups and still had a great time. Check out a few pics (in the third one, the kids are trying to be scary) and also our top pics for area pumpkin patches below.

 

 

So now for my list of favorite pumpkin patches, all tried and tested by yours truly:

1st Place: Johnson Farms
177th and Holmes in Kansas City, Missouri

What I love: Riding out to the pumpkin patch on a hayride, picking pumpkins off the vine, finding amazing, unique pumpkins in all colors, shapes and sizes, pony and train rides, sunflowers and zinnias for amazing photo backdrops.
Drawbacks: You need your spouse for all the heavy lifting and hauling, and it's pricey! Kids 3-12 are $12 each, and adults are $10 each (save a dollar on each admission by visiting the farm's website). Admission doesn't cover the cost of pumpkins, which in my experience (and with such a great variety to choose from), tends to be expensive. Pony rides, which my girls always want, are an additional $5 each.

Runner Up: Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
135th and Switzer in Overland Park, Kansas

What I love: It's easy and fun for all ages, plus there's a great slide the kids love. I managed this place on my own - easy! It's cheaper too - only $7 each and that includes one pumpkin/person. You can also take advantage of all of the other farm attractions for free during the week. Pony rides are $3 per child.

Drawbacks: The pumpkins are more than a little boring. You don't pick them off the vine, and they all look about the same - same shape, size and color. Boo.
Runner Up: Faulkner's Ranch
South of I-470 on West side of Raytown Road in Kansas City, Missouri

What I love: This is a very quaint family-run farm with several activities for the kids, including a little train they love and want to ride over and over again. Like Deanna Rose, admission is $7, but does not include the cost of pumpkins. One plus for parents on a budget: Admission is only $3.50/person during the farm's "Halfy Hours" from from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Drawbacks: Your pumpkin pickings aren't as great as Johnson Farms, but they're better than Deanna Rose. No picking off the vine. Boo again.

Runner Up: Louisburg Cider Mill
US Highway 69 and Hwy. 68 in Louisburg, Kansas

What I love: Apple cider doughnuts. Need I say more? OK, I guess I will. The whole set-up is pretty adorable with the barn for making cider and the little store. Very small-town cute. I also love the caramel apples and apple cider. Basically, the treats rock.

Drawbacks: We tried this pumpkin patch last year for the first time, and it was really smelly. Isn't that weird? Plus, the pumpkins had been completely picked over; it was hard to find any decent ones left. I don't think we bought any. The corn maze also kind of creeped me out.
That's our round-up for now. Do you agree? Disagree? What's your favorite? Share!


- Kara