Halloween is upon us once more and I’ve managed to take our little tyke to pumpkin patches and do the rides, find the right pumpkin for this year and not be caught in long lines. Here are some helpful hints to keep it a happy occasion!

1. Go Early. I always go onto the pumpkin patch websites to find out when they open. I wait to leave to be there not right when it opens but about 15-30 minutes afterwards to avoid the initial rush.
2. Look for an easy parking. The parking lot had a walkaway in the middle that led straight to the entrance I parked near it. Then I noticed that the area I parked in was the last to not have a tree at the entrance, a landmark helps you find your way back and not be lost in a sea of cars which I’ve done before.
3. Head for the bathrooms. Then you’re not waiting in line and suddenly have to leave and find the nearest one. Unless you have been there before, this could take longer then a three-year-old can handle. Sometimes the person near you has mercy on you and let’s you come back, but I would not count on this each time. Just get it over with before from the start.
4. Know what the admission costs. Sometimes you can pay in advance online and avoid the lines. Another we went to this year was per ride, which did add up, and I should have told him that he only had a choice of few ones when we showed up to cut down on the fuzziness. So know before you go to plan accordingly.
5. Sometimes there are added costs. We paid the admission to gain entrance into the pumpkin patch, and then I found out that this does not include everything. I kept him focused on the free rides and not the activities, such as the camel ride which was a few dollars extra.
6. Pumpkin patch store can be a problem. I should have just avoided the store. If you aren’t alone take turns

   

   checking out the store, otherwise the candy or toys are right there for arguments.

7. What we didn’t do. We didn’t do the apple orchard or the pumpkin patch and just did the rides. We had been to another earlier in the month for the pumpkins so there was no need to pile these onto the trip. Try to stay focus on a few activities and don’t overwhelm yourself on trying to do it all, even without do this we were both exhausted a few ours of rides!
8. Eating options. Check what is offered at food stands first, I wish I had done this since we ended up over-priced nachos!
9. Let him make some choices. This led to less frustration and made the adventure more enjoyable for the both of us.
10. Don’t forget to have fun. Relax and let him play, don’t get caught up on the fact you missed this activity or he spent all his time seeing the animals and not doing the rides. Leave stuff to do and explore for next year so it doesn’t always feel like the same thing over and over!