For young children, autumn conjures images of apples, bats, pumpkins, fall leaves and campfires. Celebrate the best of the season with these fun traditions the entire family will love!
Tip: Invite family members and friends on an outing and make memories together!
1. Apple Picking
Autumn and apples … the two go hand in hand, and this fall you can create family memories as you pick apples at a local orchard. Check out one of our top three favorite Missouri apple orchards: Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch in Kearney, Weston Orchard and Johnson Farms in Belton. Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch is home to a variety of animals including miniature horses. Their Keebler Village playground features terrific treehouses kids love to explore, and they offer jumping pillows and other attractions to enjoy, including a brand new train opening for the season this year. Weston Orchard takes families on hayrides and offers jumping pillows, petting zoo and a variety of fun play spaces and fabulous photo ops. Johnson Farms is a beautiful agritourism site with a nice orchard and tons of fun during pumpkin season. Their pig races, goat play yard, petting zoo and variety of play spaces are always tons of fun.
2. Pumpkins
Pumpkin patches in the metro offer many wonderful family attractions. Corn mazes, trains, play spaces, hayrides, corn cribs, carousels, zip lines, rides, concerts, ponies and pumpkins are just a few of the enticements Kansas City’s pumpkin patches have to offer visitors. In addition to the farms listed for apple picking, we also love Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch and Louisburg Cider Mill’s pumpkin patches. Carolyn’s is one of the biggest patches in the metro and enjoyed by generations of families. Their famous pumpkin donuts, fabulous petting zoo, jumping pillows, train, pig races, carousel and fall fun play spaces create a carnival atmosphere the entire family loves. Check out the KC Pumpkin Patch Guideto discover the best patches in town. BONUS TIP: We’ll be giving away FREE pumpkin patch tickets on KCParent.com all season long! Enter our giveaways for a chance to win.
3. Hoots and Howls at the Zoo
We love visiting the Kansas City Zoo on a fall day when the air is crisp and the animals are playful. The koalas and the Elephant Expedition are favorite new attractions to check out this year. In addition to these, we still love the Discovery Barn, Australia, Polar Bear Passage, Helzberg Penguin Plaza, the Tropics and sea lions. The first four weekends in October at the Kansas City Zoo are filled with zoo spooky fun during the annual Hoots and Howls, as well as Boo at the Zoo on Halloween Weekend. Come in costume and celebrate with the entire family. Enjoy fall decorations, enrichment for the animals and fun for all. Visit KansasCityZoo.org for information.
4. Bats
The nocturnal animal, native to Missouri, the “Cave State,” and found throughout Kansas as well, has become a classic symbol of autumn. You can learn more about bats through fun programs at our local nature centers: Missouri Dept. of Conservation: MDC.mo.gov and Ernie Miller Nature Center: JCPRD.com/328/Ernie-Miller-Park-Nature-Center.
5. Festivals
Autumn means fall festivals in Kansas City! Enjoy food, crafts, rides, barbecue and more. Find them all in our Festival Guide.
6. Day Trips
Fall is our favorite season for day trips! Many of our favorite destinations are less than two hours away and feature apple picking, pumpkin patches, historic sites and hiking trails! We have a great collection of local Day Trip Ideas for inspiration!
7. Leaf Watching at Local Parks
Autumn in Kansas City … the air is crisp, the leaves will be changing, and that means wonderful weather for a day of family fun at the park. Use our Going Places Guide tofind the best parks near you—or perhaps a new green space to enjoy a little farther from home.
8. Fun at Home
Do you remember roasting pumpkin seeds with Grandma? Making leaf rubbings in kindergarten? Jumping in piles of leaves with your brothers and sisters? Savoring the scent of mulled cider or curling up with a bowl of popcorn and a classic book or film? Some of the best fall memories a family can enjoy are celebrated with traditions at home.
9. Ride the Rails
Enjoy an autumn-themed train ride with the entire family. On weekends, enjoy rides aboard the Belton, Grandview & KC Railroad. Call for more information: 816.331.0630. Or visit the Kansas City Zoo and ride the train through the animal exhibits.
10. Turkey Watching
Take the family to Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs) to watch wild turkeys in their native habitat. Burr Oak features five hiking trails winding through the woods, where quiet visitors observe deer, turkey and other wildlife. Inside the nature center, enjoy a bird watching gallery as well as hands-on exhibits for children, a native Missouri fish aquarium and educational programs for all ages. Best of all, this outing is FREE. 816.228.3766
11. Farmers Markets
We often think of farmers markets as a summer tradition, but farm fresh produce is enjoyed throughout the fall as well! Yellow squash, zucchini, pumpkins, apples, nuts, farm fresh cheeses and other wares are available at more than 30 farmers markets. They range from small markets selling exclusively organic produce to the City Market with more than 140 local vendors. You can purchase fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, homemade soaps, baked goods and even live animals. Check out our Farmers Market Guide.
Kristina Light loves fall most of all! She blogs about local pumpkin patches annually on KCParent.com. You’ll find photos and tips to make the most of your pumpkin patch visit!