toddlerado

Sharing love for all things fall with my own kiddos was something I definitely looked forward to as a mama. Pumpkins and babies just go together. Like peanut butter and chocolate.

An Annual Tradition

We’ve visited the pumpkin patch at Bartels Farm every year since L was a baby and we liked it so much we haven’t bothered exploring any other farms/patches in the area.

But just like L, Bartels operation has grown. So much so, showing up on a Sunday morning in October meant navigating through a swarm of other patch goers and having to stalk people in the parking lot in order to snag a wagon.

Despite the crowds and a little bit of wind, it was a great day for a farm visit. We’ve definitely had years we wore winter coats and hats but this year it was all Colorado blue skies, a perfect backdrop for sunflowers and giant gourdes of all colors.

The layout has changed year to year, but there are always sunflowers, chickens running free, hayrides and a corn maze. Little activities are all around including photo props and a playground. They even had a giant checkerboard set up with orange and white mini pumpkins.

There are bigger more elaborate farms in the area but Bartels is close to home and in years past, anyway, has not been quite so busy.

The Details

Bartels Farm offers free entry, free parking, free farm animal visits, and hayrides are a buck and the corn maze is $5. We did the hayride this year and I think next year will be the year we try our luck in the maze. They have a food stand serving up dogs and burgers as well as a food truck selling popcorn.

You have the option of going out and picking your own pumpkins in the field or choosing pre-picked gourdes that litter the grounds.

The farm is located on the North East side of Fort Collins near the Soccer Complex and Anheuser-Busch Brewery.

We might try to visit during the week next year to avoid the weekend crowds.

A Pumpkin Patch Birthday

Both kiddos have October birthdays so this year we decided to have a pumpkin patch party. In the past I’ve been nervous to commit to an outdoor party because as we all know it could just as easily be 30 degrees and snowing in Colorado in October. We lucked out with the weather and the entire day went on without a hitch.

The farm offers a variety of options for parties and charge per person. Prices depend on the activities you choose to include. Bartels made it very easy and had reserved tables set up for us when we arrived. We brought in pumpkin pie and snacks and we included lunch, a hayride and a pumpkin for each guest to take home.

Visit Bartels Farm’s website for more details and to contact their party coordinator.