This post is sponsored by Schuster’s Farm in Deerfield, WI. I was compensated for the post and visited the farm with my kids. All opinions are my own.
Don’t you just love fall? It would maybe be my favorite season if it wasn’t so closely followed by winter. I am NOT a fan of winter. But fall has so many great things going for it! Leaves changing color, cooler temperatures, boots, cardigans, warm sweaters, pumpkin everything, and apples. There are also so many fun things to do with your kids in the fall – and you should do them too because before you know it winter will be here and you’ll be hiding in your homes for warmth! Oh, I’m the only one who does that? I guess that’s what happens when a California girl lives in Wisconsin…
Anyway, I love taking my kids on little outings in the fall.
Here are 5 fall field trips for kids.
Farm and Corn Maze
My kids love farms. They love petting the animals and seeing them up close. There’s something amazing about learning about animals in books and then seeing them in real life! I have to tell you about a local farm we recently went to called Schuster’s Farm. If you’re in the Madison area, you’ll definitely want to visit this farm. It’s amazing! The perfect place to take your kids.
They have lots of farm animals to see and you can even feed the goats! There were llamas, bunnies, donkeys, chickens, and calves.
They have an amazing play area for the kids filled with different things to play on. Playground equipment, a giant rocking horse, wooden tractors and cars to sit on, and a fort. I especially loved this area not only as a fun place for the kids to play, but it was covered in grass! Most other farms I’ve been to are mostly dirt so the kids end up getting all dirty. But the grass was really nice to keep the kids from getting muddy.
Schuster’s Farm also has this beautiful round barn that they totally redid and use it for events. They have weddings there in the summer, corporate events, school field trips, etc. It’s such a neat place and a lot of the wood inside was taken from nearby silos. They converted the underneath area into a learning area for the elementary field trips that come. This is so pleasing to my Elementary Education mind. I love a good hands on learning space and they did a great job. Schuster’s is owned by a husband and wife (The Schuster’s – who are the nicest people) and she is also an occupational therapist so she is all about the hands on activities for the kids. Love that!
Schuster’s farm has a corn maze which kids always have fun in! We are going back as a family to do that. They also have wagon rides and an awesome store with lots of fun treats. You have to try their fudge! It’s sooooo good! Really, it’s good. They also have activities for the older kids and adults like a Haunted Forest and big bonfires in the evening.
A farm is a great hands on learning experience and great fall field trip for your kids. See if you have one near you, or if you live in Wisconsin, check out Schuster’s Farm!
Apple Orchard
Last year we went to an apple orchard with some friends and it was so fun! I loved being able to let the kids pick their own apples and eat one fresh from the tree. I baked a delicious apple pie with the ones we took home. I love that my kids were able to see where the apples come from rather than just seeing them lined up in the grocery store. And of course we grabbed some fresh apple cider on our way out too.
Scenic Drive or Park
When we lived in Utah, there was a beautiful drive called the Alpine Loop which takes you up into the mountains and the fall foliage is so beautiful! We took our kids there every year until we moved. There aren’t any mountains here in Wisconsin, but there are still beautiful trees. We like to go to different state parks in the fall and the leaves are so pretty. You can even have your kids collect the colorful leaves to make leaf animals or do leaf rubbings.
Pumpkin Patch
I love a good pumpkin patch. It’s so fun to pick a pumpkin right from the vine! And lots of pumpkin patches also have other activities for you to do there and many farms have them. Schuster’s Farm also has a big pumpkin patch with some really LARGE pumpkins. They had a good variety of sizes. Two of my kids picked out their own pumpkins and they loved that! They were so proud to bring theirs home and put them on the porch and can’t wait to carve them. You can also paint your pumpkins for those of you with little kids.
Pumpkins for days!
Farmer’s Market
Fall is also a great time for Farmer’s Markets! Many of them start in the summer and go right into fall as the farmers harvest their crops at the end of the season. We went to the Madison Farmer’s Market a few weeks ago and it was amazing! So many different things to choose from – produce, honey, bread, maple syrup, lots of cheese curds of course (it is Wisconsin), and beautiful flower bouquets. My mom and my father-in-law both were able to come visit us at the end of August and we took them both to the Farmer’s Market. We had so much fun and it was really nice to have an extra adult watching the kids – it got pretty crowded.
Most cities I’ve lived in have a Farmer’s Market or one nearby. It’s a great way to get fresh produce and to support local farmers and businesses.
These sunflowers!!!
I hope you’re enjoying the weather as it begins to cool down and get outside with your kids while you still can!