Adventures & Moments with Wems

There’s something about fall that makes a farm day even more fun. 🍂 Pumpkins everywhere, colourful leaves, farm animals, corn mazes, and, of course, all the cute fall photo opportunities.

We’ve visited quite a few family farms around Calgary over the years, and fall is such a fun time to experience them. Some are more focused on pumpkins and animals, while others have enough activities to easily turn your visit into a full family day.

So if you’re looking for pumpkin patches near Calgary or a fun fall farm to visit with the kids, here are a few to add to your list.

Quick note: Fall events, activities, admission, and opening dates can change each year, so I recommend checking each farm’s website before heading out.

Butterfield Acres is already such a cute place to visit with kids, but during fall, the farm gets a pumpkin makeover for its Harvest Pumpkin Fest.

We’ve visited Butterfield Acres as a family, and one thing I really like about it is how hands-on the experience is for the kids. There are plenty of opportunities to see and interact with the farm animals, so it feels like more than simply going somewhere to pick a pumpkin.

During Harvest Pumpkin Fest, families can visit the animals, find pumpkins to take home, stop at the fall photo setups, and enjoy seasonal activities. There are also tractor-pulled wagon rides through Scarecrow Alley, and pony rides are available for little ones.

If your kids especially love animals, this is a fun option because the farm experience is still a big part of the day.

My tip: Give yourself enough time to enjoy the animals instead of treating this as a quick pumpkin stop.

If you’re looking for a fall outing with a lot to do, Calgary Farmyard is one to consider.

During its fall season, you can find pumpkins alongside wagon rides, a corn maze, farm animals and plenty of the regular Farmyard attractions.

There are slides, playgrounds, mini golf, games, and lots of other activities, so this is definitely somewhere you can spend a good chunk of the day rather than popping in just for pumpkins.

Calgary Farmyard also offers Harvest Lights on select fall evenings, giving families another way to experience the farm during the fall season.

If you have kids who need plenty to keep them busy, this could be a good choice.

My tip: Don’t try to do absolutely everything. 😂 Have a look at the attractions beforehand and let everyone choose a few things they really want to do.

Cobb’s is another place we’ve enjoyed as a family, and there’s already plenty to do here even before you add pumpkins into the mix.

One thing that makes Cobb’s different from a traditional pumpkin patch is the variety. You can combine the fall experience with animal encounters, games, pedal carts, slides, mini golf, tractor rides, and other activities around the park.

During October, Pumpkin Palooza adds even more fall fun to the regular daytime experience.

For us, Cobb’s is the kind of place where the pumpkin part can be one piece of a much bigger family outing.

My tip: Plan this as more than a pumpkin-picking stop. There’s enough going on that you’ll want some time to explore.

Granary Road is another place we’ve visited with the kids, and I like that a visit here can combine play, animals, and exploring.

During fall, its Pumpkins in the Park event adds seasonal activities to the Granary Road experience.

The wider property has its Active Learning Park, farm animals, mini golf and indoor and outdoor areas to explore, so there’s more to do than simply stop for a pumpkin.

Unlike some of the other places on this list, Pumpkins in the Park is usually held on select fall dates, so definitely check Granary Road’s current event calendar before making the drive.

My tip: If you’re going specifically for Pumpkins in the Park, double-check that the event is running on the day you plan to visit.

I don’t think you necessarily need to find the “best” pumpkin patch because they offer slightly different experiences.

• If your kids love farm animals, Butterfield Acres gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the animals alongside the fall activities.
• If you want lots of activities and enough to fill several hours, Calgary Farmyard has plenty to choose from.
• If your family enjoys animals, games, and adventure activities, Cobb’s gives you a little bit of everything.
• And if you want to combine fall fun with play and exploring, keep an eye out for Granary Road’s Pumpkins in the Park.

Or you could slowly work your way through different ones over the years. 😂

Fall weather can change pretty quickly, and most of these experiences involve spending quite a bit of time outdoors.

Layers are always a good idea so you can adjust if the day warms up or gets chilly. Comfortable shoes are also a must because you’ll probably be doing plenty of walking, and farm paths can get muddy.

I’d also bring water, wipes or hand sanitizer, and somewhere secure in the car for any pumpkins you end up taking home.

And definitely bring your phone or camera because fall farms usually come with some really cute family photo opportunities. 📸🍂

Pumpkin patches aren’t the only way to enjoy fall around Calgary.

If you’re trying to catch those beautiful fall colours before they’re gone, check out my Best Places to See Fall Colours in Calgary With Kids guide.

And if you’re looking for even more family outing ideas, my Ultimate Alberta Family Adventure Bucket List has plenty of adventures to save for another day.

🎃 Ready for a Fall Farm Day?

I love outings like these because they don’t have to be complicated. Pick a farm, throw on some comfy clothes, let the kids explore and somehow come home with more pumpkins than you planned to buy. 😂🎃

Whether your family is more interested in the animals, corn mazes, activities or simply finding the perfect pumpkin, there are some fun fall farms around Calgary to choose from.

Until next time, happy adventuring! ❤️