I can’t say enough how amazing our pumpkin patch birthday party was last week! We hosted our party at Mary’s Place in Arkansas, and we truly had the best time!
But I do want to let you know there are some things to consider before planning a pumpkin patch birthday party at a pumpkin patch farm.
10 Things to Consider When Planning a Pumpkin Patch Birthday Party
Understand Your Pumpkin Patch Birthday Party Will be Weather-Dependent
We lucked out for our pumpkin patch birthday party and had amazing weather (aside from some crazy wind). Be prepared with a plan b in case the weather doesn’t go your way.
Plan for Simple Decorations for a Pumpkin Patch Party
There is often SO much going on at a pumpkin patch farm – train rides, hay rides, petting zoos, games, and…well…the pumpkins themselves.
This is a party in which you can get by on a few simple pumpkin patch themed decorations. Think small stacks of hay or vases of candy corn for centerpieces. We had a terrible experience with the wind beating our balloons and tablecloths to death. I now highly recommend you purchase tablecloth clips for any outdoor party. Also, when you reserve, find out how many picnic tables will be reserved for you. This will help you be prepared with your table cloths and pumpkin party decorations. Even our candy corn and pricks were trying to fly away in the wind! Taping down this Saran Wrap on top helped – although this was not the way I had envisioned the look in my head!
Send Pumpkin Patch Invitations
I created my own custom pumpkin patch invitations for our pumpkin patch birthday. I have created a Facebook event cover photo if you choose to send digital invites instead of traditional ones. Just click here to download. You can put all of your event details and personal information in the event description of the FB event page. And just use this image as your festive cover photo.
Choose Pumpkin Favors Wisely
Many pumpkin patches offer an option for each birthday party attendant to choose a pumpkin as a party favor for an extra cost to the party host. I chose to not pay extra for the pumpkins because I had some other fun favors in mind. However, in the end, there was confusion over whether kids were supposed to get a pumpkin or they weren’t. I think they would have enjoyed picking a pumpkin just as much as receiving the favors I had brought. It didn’t save me all that much money either since the ticket difference was only $2 between no pumpkin and pumpkin. The money I put into my caramel popcorn party favors cost more than that (purchased from a gourmet popcorn shop) – no too mention the time I spent bagging up the popcorn into cute treat bags.
Understand the Pumpkin Patch Prices Before the Party Starts
To my knowledge, there is no such thing as a free pumpkin patch in my area. The pumpkin patch prices vary among the different locations for normal entry and for parties on the pumpkin farm.
Some pumpkin patches charge by head. This means you will pay for each parent of your guests unless you decide to request the parents pay for themselves. Other patches charge for the children only but there might be higher pumpkin patch prices involved.
Example Pumpkin Patch Farm A
Charges a flat $200 for 12 children. Parents/grandparents enter free. Additional children are $12 each. Each child receives a small pumpkin. Not all pumpkin patch amenities are included in this basic pumpkin patch package. Additional fees would have to be paid per child. Two picnic tables are reserved for the party. It has fun animal races at certain times of the day. There is a large pumpkin patch and corn maze. Has some unique climbing/bounce attractions. Has a magic show and a petting zoo.
Example Pumpkin Patch Farm B
The pumpkin patch prices involve charging by the head. Charges $6 for each child and each adult with no pumpkin. Charges $9 for each child and each adult with a pumpkin. All pumpkin patch amenities are included in the original fees. Four picnic tables reserved for the party. Has live re-enactments of a wild-west scene via the hay ride. It has an old tree house with a maze for kids to explore. Has some bounce houses and climbing sets. There is a petting zoo. It does not have a pumpkin patch corn maze combo.
Plan the Pumpkin Patch Birthday Party Schedule Before the Party Starts
You will want to set a schedule for the children and parents. Perhaps they are all free to mingle around for the first hour. Then, they return to the party station at 11 a.m. for cake and hot dogs. Or maybe you want to start the party by being all together for the first hour. Then, you send everyone out to enjoy the fun. You will want to let your guests know the times of the pumpkin patch attractions. Let them know what times the hay rides and the train rides run, what time the pig races are, etc.
Some pumpkin patches allow party hosts to roast hot dogs and s’mores over a fire pit, etc. Others do not. When making initial plans, ask if this is an option for your pumpkin patch birthday party. Keep in mind, you would need to have someone designated to be in charge of roasting hot dogs. This way, everyone else enjoys the pumpkin patch festivities.
Before the Party, Scope out an Ideal “Group Picture” Spot at the Pumpkin Farm
Maybe it is front of the petting zoo or maybe it is in front of a fun pumpkin patch sign. With so much stimulation going on, it is easy to lose track of time and forget the important pictures at a pumpkin patch birthday party. In fact, it might be best to ask a family friend to capture photos on their phone in case you get busy and forget.
Of course, you will probably want some hayride pumpkin patch photos if a hayride is an option at your local pumpkin patch.
Have a Pumpkin Theme for Your Pumpkin Patch Birthday Party
Regardless of what you have decided about hot dogs and s’mores, be sure your cake and cupcakes have a pumpkin theme to add to the festivities. You might choose to use pumpkins, candy corn, or some other kind of “hoe-down” theme.
Be Realistic with the Party Clothes for the Pumpkin Patch
Although you will likely want your little pumpkin to look cute for his/her party, be realistic with the outfit choice. The children are likely to get somewhat dusty at a pumpkin patch birthday party considering all the dirt, the hay, the animals, and the food!
Have an Evacuation Plan!
How will you remove your little pumpkin from this glorious pumpkin farm of bounce houses, animals, games, hay rides, and trains? Wish I had some advice – but mine usually get carried out horizontally!
I hope you have a marvelous time planning your pumpkin patch birthday party! Be sure to check out my other post on 10 tips for hosting a birthday party at the park!
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