This fantastic pumpkin patch in Colorado is quickly becoming one of our favorite fall family traditions. Our third annual day trip to Erie, CO brought fresh excitement as the kids grew quite a bit this year, unveiling new opportunities for adventure this year. Jamie was on a wedding shoot on this day so I went with my parents and the kids. It’s a fantastic spot for grandparents too!
Hold up, pumpkin patches not your thing? Check this post for other epic outdoor adventures with kids near Denver!
Fall Festival at Anderson Farms in Erie, CO
Anderson Farms in Erie, CO, is a family haven. Explore the corn maze, enjoy a wagon ride, and discover unique attractions like the combine slide. With picturesque surroundings, it’s the perfect spot for family fun.
The Fall Festival is open from September 20th to October 30th, 2023.
This year we visited just two days after opening in late September. It’s worth noting that going on a weekday (kids had school off), served us well as we practically had the farm to ourselves. In our past experiences, the weekend can get very crowded, so it’s worth planning ahead and booking your tickets in advance. Book Tickets Here. Kids 3 & under are free so that saved us on at least one ticket!
Combine Slides
Beginning our afternoon at the farm, we found ourselves drawn to the combine slide, a prominent feature at the main entrance. This inventive playground, crafted from a real combine, offers various slides and a designated area for kids to sit in the driver’s seat, allowing them to pretend they’re in control of the massive machine. It’s a highly creative transformation of industrial equipment into a playground.
The Pumpkin Patch Adventure
Not knowing how crowded it would get, we quickly made our way over the other side of the farm to the wagon ride. We’ve waited in this line for a long time in previous years, but today we were lucky to walk right on.
The wagon ride is a quick and exciting trip to the expansive pumpkin patch. You get about 15 minutes to find your perfect pumpkin, making it an ideal spot for family photos with fantastic views of the Front Range. Since we visited early in the season, there were thousands of pumpkins to choose from. Keep in mind that these pumpkins aren’t free and are priced by size; payment is made upon your return.
Ok, we were very lucky not to run into mud. Our footwear choices were not ideal. It is best to prepare for mud, especially if it recently rained!
Grayson, our oldest (7 years), picked out a huge one while the others opted for ones they could handle.
No need to lug your pumpkin! They allow reentry so you can use a wheelbarrow to bring them back to your car with ease.
Barrel Train
Always a hit with the kids, the barrel train is essentially a riding lawnmower carrying barrels on wheels for the kids to sit in. While adults are welcome, we decided to let our 3- and 5-year-old enjoy the ride. Our 7-year-old, opted for the Barnyard 500 Pedal Karts. It seems 7 might be the age where you start to grow out of things like the barrel train, or maybe he just wasn’t feeling it. Growing up might mean discovering new adventures!
This attraction tends to draw a crowd so jump in line early if it starts to get crowded!
Barnyard 500 Pedal Karts
After the barrel train adventure, we all hopped on the Barnyard 500 Pedal Karts with Grayson leading the way. There are two kart sizes and tracks to choose from. One is tailored for younger kids, ideal for Hayden (5 years) and Grayson (7 years). Surprisingly, Grayson was just tall enough to try the big ones, which he loved. The larger pedal karts are perfect for older kids and adults, some even equipped with a special kids’ seat that Brynn (3 years) could comfortably use. Hayden also joined my dad for a ride. These karts provide the excitement of go-carts, but you’ve got to pedal for it! It’s a fantastic workout that’s sure to leave you feeling exhilarated and a bit worn out!
Creative Play Zones
Jumping back to the other side of the farm we continued our adventure at a kids play area that is perfect for young kids. Again, my 7 year old is just starting to grow out of things like this but he luckily is still young enough to think these types of areas are still “cool.” This area which I’ll say is great from children ages 3 to 7 consists of the Krazy Rainbow Maze, the Wooden Train and Fort A-Lot-A-Fun.
Krazy Rainbow Maze
The Krazy Rainbow Maze is great for kids to test out their human maze skills before going on the corn maze. It has short walls so you can easily spot your child in the maze.
Wooden Train
The Wooden Train is great for small kids to pretend like they are a train conductor and climb around on.
Fort A-Lot-A-Fun
The wooden playground, designed in a fort-like theme, didn’t capture my kids’ attention as much due to the other unique attractions at Anderson Farms. Despite that, the kids spent some time playing while my parents and I enjoyed a relaxing break at the nearby pavilion.
Bouncing Fun in the Inflatable Jump Area
Another highlight of the day was the inflatable jump area. Unlike typical bounce houses, these were expansive mats, giving kids ample space to run and play. It was a challenge to convince the kids to leave this area!
Conquering the Corn Maze
Colorado’s longest-running corn maze offers over 8 miles of trails. If you’re not a fan of corn mazes, be warned—it could take hours. For added fun, choose from various challenges. We went for The Farm Scene Investigation, perfect for elementary-aged kids. There’s also The Farm Scene Tracks, ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, covering less ground for those who prefer a shorter stroll.
My older boys had a blast exploring the map, trails, and solving the investigation. Even my tired 3-year-old was a trooper and enjoyed it, though I had to carry her on my shoulders occasionally as she was exhausted by this point. We spent over an hour navigating the maze and cracking the clues.
For really young kids, a stroller won’t be ideal here so look into a baby carrier pack or Ergo etc.
Now that we are talking about walking, have you seen our walking tour of Golden, CO? Check Here!
Before heading out, we explored a couple more small playgrounds. By this point, we were all completely worn out. If you’re looking for a place that will ensure your kids sleep well at night, this is it.
Planning Your Visit
There are many attractions we didn’t get to do, mainly the extras that require additional fees, such as pony rides, the petting zoo, duck races, and crafts. I’m intrigued by the fire pits for a later family experience. You can rent these out. Also, a huge attraction here is Terror in The Corn, obviously not something for little kids as it is recommended for kids at least 10 years old—perhaps something for the future.
Food. There are plenty of food options here. Many are carnival style or stuff you’d see at a ballpark. There are also food truck vendors offering BBQ and hot dogs. We ate just before we got there so we did not eat anything during our visit. Outside food and drinks (no alcohol) are allowed. So pack your snacks and bring water bottles!
Conclusion
Overall, Anderson farms is a fantastic pumpkin patch in Colorado and great for families of all ages. I’ll admit we haven’t been to many of the other Colorado pumpkin patches but this one is sure to keep the kids and parents entertained for hours. Remember, try to find a time to visit when it is likely to be less crowded and book in advance! Enjoy!
