Since I have a bit of experience planning activities for kids, Owen’s teacher asked if I might help organize a pumpkin patch field trip for the 2nd grade. Of course, I was more than happy to assist and knew immediately which locale I’d suggest: Ticonderoga Farms.
I’d been on fall festival field trips before to other, more popular places, so I had some specific reasons for selecting Ticonderoga. It has enough attractions to keep a big group of 7-year-olds amused for hours, but it’s way more mellow than its well-known neighbor down the street (where I’ve had a mini panic attack or two thinking I’d lost a child amid the massive crowds). There are several long slides, an awesome giant jumping pillow, farm animals to visit, a playground with all kinds of fun features, old firetrucks to climb on, fire pits for warming up and making s’mores, a bamboo maze, and other play-inviting attractions scattered about the many acres. Plus, a hayride to a pumpkin patch is included in the field trip package, and all of the kids got to pick one to bring home.
We practically had the place to ourselves — we definitely were the only field trip there — so there was no waiting to enjoy any of the attractions. It also made it easy for chaperons to keep track of all the kids. We had a designated area, in a barn with a few big tables, for storing belongings and eating lunch. And before boarding the bus to head back to school, we took advantage of the fire pits and enjoyed s’mores. The concession stand, which usually sells kits for making them, is closed weekdays, so I brought all the necessary components, and we ended the outing on a very sweet note.
Ticonderoga Farms is located in Chantilly, Va. Hours are 9am – 6pm. Admission is $9.95 on weekdays (for field trips, too, but it includes the hayride and pumpkins) and $14.95 on weekends.
The farm is open every season during festival times, and the current fall fest runs through this Sunday, November 3, and I highly recommend going while you can! They’ll be welcoming visitors again at the end of November through mid-December for the Winter Christmas Festival, which you can read about and get a glimpse of here.
And I’ve got to give a shout-out to Utley’s Transportation Service and their friendly bus driver for getting us all there and back safely.
