What a delight it was visiting Family Farm in Malvern, Arkansas a few weeks ago! A friend recently invited us to go to Family Farm for the first open day of the fall season (Harvest Days) which is a great day to go, according to her.
And was she ever right! The first day of the fall pumpkin patch season was the perfect day for visiting Family Farm because the crowds were light and the Arkansas weather finally broke its chain of 90+ degree misery. If you are looking for a fall pumpkin patch in Arkansas, I would recommend Harvest Days at Family Farm. The prices can’t be beat for the pumpkin patches near me, and the place is so serene and peaceful!
Only a 25 minute drive from us, I couldn’t believe we had never been! Granted, SB went last year with her kindergarten class for a spring kindergarten field trip. But the rest of us had never been.
Visiting Family Farm in Malvern for Fall Harvest Days
Admission for Visiting Family Farm During Fall Harvest Days
During the fall, Family Farm operates the Harvest Days on all Saturdays throughout October. At this time, the price to enter is $5 a person which free admission for children under two.
Mom Tip: Take cash because there are no credit card machines on this down-home, family-operated establishment.
Pumpkin Patch at Family Farm – Malvern
There is a small pumpkin patch at the back of the Family Farm property. If you are interested in letting your child pick a pumpkin or posing with some pumpkins, this is a perfect little small patch for that.
There is also a cute photo backdrop in front of the pumpkin patch and then a few other cute photo areas at the front of the property.
Mom Tip: If you are planning to take cute photos in spiffy fall outfits, be sure to take a change of play clothes because your kids will want to romp and stomp and play.
You can buy additional pumpkins at the front of the Family Farm property. There is a more eclectic assortment of pumpkins at the front.
I just love these warty, colorful pumpkins. Aren’t they just full of personality?! I loved them so much I took one home to be part of the orange and teal pumpkin centerpiece on my dining table.
Activities During Harvest Days
Family Farm has a lot of rustic attractions for kids and even adults. You easily can spend half a day to a full day at this farm.
Fishing
There is a small lake for fishing with the fishing equipment provided.
Slide Mountain
Slide Mountain was a hit with our kiddos and our friends’ kids. This slide is made of tubing and kids ride down the slide in plastic sleds. Toddlers can ride the slide with a parent. The employee working the slide directs the kids to keep their hands inside the sled. Make sure your kiddo listens! Our LO stuck her hand out of the slide at one point (as seen in the video we took), and her hand got skinned up pretty badly on the slide. If only the child would ever listen! She still hand a big time though and rode the slide multiple times after!
Hay Slides
There are smaller slides atop bales of hay that our kids enjoyed. They can climb the hay and slide down the tunnel slides.
Swings
There are good old fashioned swings for the swing lovers.
Rock Wall
The rock wall was closed at the time I remembered to snap a picture. But you can see later in the post some pictures I have of the rock wall from my daughter’s field trip. It looks like is it probably a popular attraction!
Rustic Merry-Go-Round
No doubt, this rustic merry go round was one of the biggest hits of the day! All the kids loved it!
Tractor Train
Don’t all kids enjoy a good tractor train ride? I would estimate the tractor train at Family Farm lasts about 5-7 minutes.
Hay Ride
The hay ride lasts about 10 minutes. The path that our driver/guide took us on was a brand new one – having only been cut five days earlier.
Petting Zoo
My girls were in animal heaven in the Family Farm petting zoo! There are goats, a miniature pony, chickens, kittens, pigs, etc.
Zip Line
The zip line over one of the lakes was probably a highlight for my oldest daughter and for my husband. Note, the zip line fee is not included in the general $5 admission fee at Family Farm. But the price is still very reasonable – $5 for two rides on the zip line! Even the kiddos as young as four in our group rode the zip line!
Food Options
During the Harvest Days, there are several options for food when visiting Family Farm. You can buy a smoked barbecue sandwich outside at the food tent. One of the employees told us the meat is smoked onsite every weekend.
Optionally, you can go inside the lodge and choose from 5-6 offerings there. Inside the GORGEOUS lodge, we had options to buy hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, etc, along with chips and a drink. Also, there were some amazing homemade chocolate and coconut meringue pies that a local makes for Family Farm. Oh, my gosh! Those pies are so good! Be sure to stop in early if you want some though. I was told they only have so many pies, and when they are gone, they’re gone!
I was so impressed with how well the lodge is decorated for fall! With fresh pumpkins on every table and a full-on autumn tree, they go all out with their fall decor! So lovely.
So about this fall Christmas tree…
Stunning! I’ve heard of people decorating with a fall Christmas tree, but I had not seen one this pretty in real life. This sunflower Christmas tree is just so pretty with all the touches of nature. Now, I have seen searches for sunflower Christmas tree popping up on Pinterest, but I had never heard of it before seeing this one.
School Field Trip to Family Farm in Arkansas
Throughout the year, Family Farm in Malvern, AR operates as a day camp with a Christian theme. During spring and fall, there is a school field trip schedule and registration process which can be found on the farm’s website. It is my understanding each camp day starts in prayer, which my mama heart appreciates.
Family Farm has a petting zoo, a tee pee to explore, a small lake for fishing (with fishing equipment provided), rides on a tractor train, a climbing wall, a rustic merry-go-round, and more!
Kids take a sack lunch and are under supervision of their school teachers while at the camp.
From what I understand, schools can take students to the farm during the month of October during the school week for a fall harvest and pumpkin patch experience. It would be a great Arkansas field trip for a group of kiddos!
My SB had a blast on her field trip. She loved climbing the rock wall and exploring the creek with her bare feet.
There is also a summer day camp at Family Farm which I plan to send my girls to in the next few years.
What a fun day! We look forward to visiting Family Farm in Malvern again next fall! This place really is a family affair, and there are so many special touches for a memorable experience for your family.
If you like fall as much as we do, you might be interested in our pumpkin patch birthday party post and our cotton field family photos at Schaefer’s Pumpkin Patch. And for more day trips around Arkansas, check out my kayaking on the Arkansas River and Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival.
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