There is no shortage of seasonal activities around the Kansas City Metro at this time of year, but if you want one that lets you experience many traditional favorites in a contained space that feels manageable with little ones – Pumpkin Hollow at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park is our go-to. 

Throughout the day, you'll explore the turns of a corn maze, race down hay slides, play with goats and pick the perfect pumpkin. This add-on experience at the Farmstead creates autumn magic and family memories that make it easy to turn a visit into a yearly tradition. Here is what you can expect.

Horse-Drawn Hay Ride

Even your trip to the Pumpkin Hollow section of Deanna Rose is designed to get you in the fall spirit with a horse-drawn hay ride. This scenic ride weaves you through the forest (and plenty of fall foliage) before conveniently letting you off right at the entrance. Kids love the novelty of a traditional hay ride and it's sure to be a highlight of their visit. The horses are also your way back to the main part of the Farmstead, so you'll get to ride twice. One thing to note: rides stop thirty minutes before closing, so plan accordingly. 

Explore the Corn Maze

No fall festival is complete without a corn maze, and Pumpkin Hollow's is a great size for little adventurers. It was created in part with an open-weave fence,  so you can keep an eye on your explorers, and features some fun "spider webs". My girls love racing through it each year.

Fall-Themed Play Spaces, Games, and Photo Ops

For kids ready to burn off some energy, there are a variety of fall-themed play spaces and games:

  • Hay Slides: There are two slides set atop a pyramid of hay bales, so your little ones can pick whichever one is more their speed.
  • Corn Pool Play Bin: Ditch the shoes and climb on in for some sensory seasonal fun. There are also scoops and shovels to keep kids entertained.
  • Pedal Bike Race Track: For the 8 and younger crowd, there's a pedal race track loop that is the best setting for some sibling or friend races.
  • Basketball: We love the hay bale steps that get the little visitors closer to the hoop.
  • Slingshots: Spend time scaring off "crows" at the slingshot station.
  • Bowling: Set up your pins and race your bowling balls down. There are two lanes which makes it fun to go with a friend.
  • Milking Station: Refillable water buckets let kids experience milking a cow. When their bucket is full, they can simply dump it back in the top and start again.

Another reason to love Pumpkin Hollow: There's a specific area for the littlest little ones to get in on the action in the comfort of their own space. They of course can peruse the festival in its entirety, but it's nice to have the option to go at a slower, smaller pace. There are also multiple photo opportunity spots throughout - so grab your camera and capture those memories!

Goat Petting Zoo 

It wouldn't be Deanna Rose without a charming petting zoo featuring friendly goats that children can interact with up close. This hands-on experience is perfect for animal-loving kids. (My girls also got a kick out of naming each one.) The goats are accustomed to visitors, making them calm and approachable for even the youngest of guests. Every day at 9:05 AM and 4:55 PM the staff performs the running of the baby goats between their nighttime and daytime pen.

Pumpkin Patch

What’s a fall fest without pumpkins? Your ticket to Pumpkin Hollow ticket includes a pumpkin that you can take home. My kids love exploring the pre-picked patch and definitely took their time inspecting each pumpkin for its size, shape, and color.  There's an educational opportunity here too, with a big sign explaining the life cycle of a pumpkin. When you're ready to leave, the farmstead provides a bag to make carrying your finds back home a bit easier. 

Deanna Rose is open during Pumpkin Hollow, so plan on sticking around to catch all the critters, gardens, play areas, fishing, snacks and sips when you're done. There are water bottles available for $1, but I highly recommend grabbing a treat on your way out of the Farmstead to cap the experience.

This is the perfect destination for families looking to celebrate the beauty of fall in Kansas. Grab your friends, pack your camera, and get ready to experience some wholesome family fun! Tickets are $10 per person, plus your Farmstead admission. Tickets can be purchased here. Children 2 and younger are free. They're open now through October 31.