An Autumn Rainbow of Fun
Autumn leaves crackle. Vibrant colors glow. Laughing children race to select pumpkins, and crisp air calls for snuggling with a favorite blanket. Celebrate the season with your little one with favorite fall traditions inspired by autumn colors.
Barn Red
A favorite autumn day trip is a visit to the Louisburg Cider Mill (14730 Hwy. 68, 913.837.5202). The classic red cider mill barn is a perfect backdrop for fall photos, and the entire outing is a memorable fall tradition. The delicious aroma of freshly made cider greets you from your first step onto the property. Visitors watch as fresh cider is made from scratch at the cider mill daily. From start to finish: The apples are washed, pressed and processed, and finally bottled and made available for purchase. Inside the gift shop, visitors can view fresh apple cider donuts being made—be sure to enjoy a warm one before you leave!
Tip: Call ahead and verify they are making cider in the morning and that you will be there in time.
Sunflower Yellow
Visit 40 acres of sunflower fields at Grinter Farms (24154 Stillwell Rd., Lawrence, KS) for amazing photos ops. This spectacular autumn experience offers breathtaking views of acres upon acres of gorgeous golden yellow sunflowers. Typically, the flowers bloom early September through early October. Stop by Sunflower General (14755 243rd St., Lawrence, KS), where you can purchase locally made goods and enjoy treats from the bakery.
Tip: There are no restrooms, so plan ahead. Please do not litter. Follow the farm’s Facebook page for hours, special instructions and updates before you head out: Facebook.com/GrinterFarms.
Pumpkin Orange
Pumpkin patches are fall amusement parks offering fun-filled attractions for the entire family! With pumpkin cannons, pony rides, pumpkin chomping dinosaurs, creative play areas, jumping pillows, corn cribs, train rides, corn mazes, zip lines, forts, petting zoos, tipis, inflatables and, of course, hayrides to pick the perfect pumpkin, a visit to the local pumpkin patch is a fall bucket list must! The Kansas City area offers so many great patches for picking the best big orange pumpkin. To choose the perfect patch, visit the Pumpkin Patch Guide on KCParent.com.
Tip: You’ll find coupons and more pumpkin ideas on KCParent.com
Apple Green and Candy Apple Red
Nestled on the bluffs overlooking the Mighty Mo is one of the largest u-pick apple orchards in the area. Schweizer Orchards (S. Hwy. 169 & FF, St. Joseph, MO, 816.232.3999) is so popular that visitors come from across the Midwest on annual trips for apple picking! The orchard features beautiful green and red apples of every favorite variety: Early Jonathan, Jonathan, Jonagold, Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Fuji, Honey Crisp and Winesap Apples. Apple picking typically begins mid-August and runs through October, but always call ahead for hours.
Tip: Many great places to pick apples are within an hour’s drive of Kansas City. Schweizer is the largest orchard and one of the prettiest, but there are many others as well. Read our complete KC apple pickign guide.
Maple Brown, Deep Red and Burnt Orange
Colorful autumn leaves captivate young children. You’ll find many scenic trails to enjoy across the metro, from paved (perfect for strollers) to woodchip to simple clearings in the woods. A terrific resource is the book Hiking Kansas City by William Eddy and Richard Ballentine. Eddy and Ballentine provide detailed descriptions of each trail, maps and photos. Some of our autumn favorites for great colors and family photos in every quadrant: South—Overland Park Arboretum, Central—Longview Lake Trails, West—Antioch Park, East—Burr Oak Woods Nature Center and North—Parkville Nature Sanctuary.
Tip: Don’t forget the classic autumn rituals of jumping in piles of leaves and making crayon rubbings to decorate the fridge!
Jack-O’-Lantern Orange
The vibrant glowing orange of a jack-o’-lantern is magical, and Powell Gardens offers one of the best places to experience it at Glow: A Jack O’ Lantern Festival, Oct. 20-21 (1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO, 816.697.2600). This spooktacular annual festival features a 1-mile path of 750 expertly carved jack-o’-lanterns in classic, natural, character and whimsical designs. Several giant jack-o’-lantern sculptures line the path too. The weekend also offers fall hayrides, hands-on activities and food and beverage vendors. New this year: a carnivorous plant display, Kids Corral and an “After-Glow” event for adults.
Tip: Bring your smallest stroller for this outing. The festival is popular, and small umbrella strollers are easier for navigating a crowd.
Golden Hay
The Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO) is decorated every October with fun and spooky (not too scary for the little ones) decorations, including decorated hay bales and straw stalks. Hoots and Howls at the Zoo is a favorite October event with fun activities and entertainment, including hayrides, pedal tractors, a hay bale maze and costumed characters. You even can watch the animals participate in the fun by smashing pumpkins! In late October, attend Boo at the Zoo, with entertainment and activities, including pedal tractor rides, spooky crafts and hayrides. Little ones can trick-or-treat at stations located throughout the zoo.
Tip: You may bring your own picnic and water bottles to the zoo.
Autumn is Kristina Light’s favorite season for family fun! She can be found playing in the leaves with her girls, decorating pumpkins, enjoying cider donuts and celebrating at local festivals all season long!