Pumpkin Patch! - Sep 2011

This fall we visited the Center Grove Orchard (and pumpkin patch). This place was a phenomenal success with our 18 month-old Ben. He was able to participate in just about everything this place had to offer, which I've found to be rare in my short experience as a parent. So I was almost as happy as Ben as we took him from area to area - he loved every second of it. He was distraught and cried as we left one section only to shout with glee as we approached the next.

You enter the main area through a large building that serves as a gift shop and tasting area for the farms various food products including pies, apples and fudge. We passed quickly through however, anxious to get on with the fun. Our first stop was a giant pool full of corn kernels!  This massive swimming pool of corn kernels was about a foot deep and offered an interesting walking experience for a toddler! Mommy climbed in and joined in the fun. We then moved on to giant slide. This was one of the highlights of the day. Revelers climb onto a burlap sack and slide down a plastic slide mounted on the side of a hill. We took turns holding Ben and sliding down. He couldn't wait for the next slide, running up the hill without us.

When we finally decided to suffer another agonizing scream-fest from Ben as we drug him away from the slide, we moved on to the hay-bale maze. Not understanding and not interested in a maze, Ben simply had a great time running around the area not being able to see over the rows of hay bales. After that it was on to the giant bouncing pillow. We spent about 20 minutes getting some exercise with Ben on this one as we all struggled to keep our balancing jumping high into the air. He had great fun again just trying to stay upright.

 

Finally it was time to head to the actual pumpkin patch to pick out some good carve-able jack-o-lanterns. A 20 minute hay-rack ride took us to a massive spread of pumpkins.  We let Ben run around a bit, but we probably would have lost him pretty quick.  We each picked out a pumpkin and took them to the weigh-in booth.  Our last stop on the way out was the store to pick up some delicious caramel apples and apple pies.

A fun time was had by all.  I would highly recommend this location to all families.  Kids under 3 are free and everyone else was $10 each.  But season passes can be purchased for only around $20.  Check it out!