Pumpkin patch activities today go well beyond picking a pumpkin. A good fall farm adds a corn maze, wagon rides, play areas, farm animals and food, so one visit can fill most of a day. Fall in Iowa has a way of turning an ordinary weekend into a reason to get outside, and knowing which activities suit each age, and which ones cost extra, makes it easier to relax and enjoy it. This guide draws on Episode 14 of Howell’s Farm Experience, “More Than a Pumpkin Patch: Everything Your Family Can Do at Howell’s,” where host Mike Downer walks through the farm’s fall activities with Erin Conner, one of the sixth-generation owners of Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch in Cumming, just southwest of Des Moines. Whether your family is coming from Norwalk, Waukee or Ankeny, every example below comes from one farm, so you can picture the whole day before you go.

Why Do Pumpkin Patches Offer So Many Activities Now?

Pumpkin patches offer more activities because families want a full outing rather than a quick stop, and a farm with several attractions can keep every age busy for hours. Many agritourism destinations pair fall mazes with pumpkins, wagon rides, play areas, food, farm animals, photo opportunities, or seasonal games. That variety matters because not everyone wants to spend the same amount of time on one activity. One child may want to keep exploring while another is ready for a snack or a different activity. Choosing one destination with several options can also reduce the need to drive between multiple stops. As Erin put it on the episode, “It removes the need to plan multiple outings.”

What Activities Can You Expect at a Pumpkin Patch Near Des Moines?

At Howell’s, the fall lineup Erin described on the episode includes these activities:

• A wagon ride out to the corn maze and the pumpkin patch
• Pumpkins you pick right off the vine in the field
• A corn maze with two mazes inside it, a kiddie maze and a standard maze
• Jumping pillows
• An obstacle course that Erin compares to a Ninja Warrior course
• Bee lines, which work like mini zip lines
• A corn pool where kids can bury themselves in corn
• Pedal goat carts
• A bathtub train that uses clawfoot tubs instead of barrels
• A playground with swings and teeter-totters, a mud pie kitchen and a cow slide
• Goats, cows and sheep, with goat feeding through the fence in the fall
• A pumpkin cannon and a corn cannon, which cost extra

A few of these are unusual. The bathtub train is big enough that, in Erin’s words, “Mom, Dad, and a kid can all fit in one bathtub.” On the cow slide, kids go up the cow and out through the back end, which led Erin to ask, “What’s more farmy than that?”

Which Pumpkin Patch Activities Are Best for Younger Kids?

Younger kids tend to gravitate toward the jumping pillows and the corn pool, according to Erin. “They like getting buried in the corn or jumping up and down on the jumping pillow,” she said, and the playground, mud pie kitchen and kiddie maze are built for the same age group. Before a longer activity such as the corn maze, explain that the family will stay together. Let younger children make some choices, but keep an adult responsible for navigation. Take care of snacks and restroom needs first, especially if the activity is far from the barn.

What About Older Kids and Teens?

Older kids and teens usually prefer the corn maze, the pedal goat carts and the mini zip lines, Erin said. Older children often enjoy having more control. Give them the map, let them lead at intersections, or create a friendly challenge around checkpoints. Teens who might be less interested in a simple walk can become much more engaged when they are responsible for solving the route.

How Does a Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze Work for Families?

At Howell’s, the corn maze holds two mazes in one: a kiddie maze for younger children and a standard maze for parents helping kids, teenagers, or families going through together. In the kiddie maze, kids get a card, look for animal tracks such as raccoon or deer prints, and make a rubbing of each one. The standard maze is harder and has its own game, a CSI-style mystery where you figure out who committed the crime in the corn maze. Mike compared it to “playing Clue outside in a corn maze.” Erin said the maze could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how long you want to stay in it, and our guide to how long it takes to walk through a corn maze covers timing in more detail. Corn mazes feel especially at home in Iowa because agriculture is part of the state’s landscape and identity. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that Iowa farmers planted about 13.25 million acres of corn in 2026. Turning part of a field into a maze gives visitors a playful way to experience that agricultural setting from inside the rows rather than from the roadside. Getting turned around is normal. Stay with your group, follow posted rules, and use the farm’s designated assistance process if someone needs to leave.

Are Farm Animals Part of a Fall Pumpkin Patch Visit?

Yes. At Howell’s, the goats, cows and sheep give families a slower-paced break between the busier attractions. In the fall there are a lot of people, so the animals are not available for holding, but you can feed the goats through the fence. “The goats always love attention, and they love their food,” Erin said. If you visit in the spring or summer, you can go into the baby goat pens and hold the goats. Mike described the fall version as an in-between break: run from attraction to attraction, slow down with the animals for a few minutes, then head back out.

How Should You Plan Pumpkin Patch Activities If You Only Have a Few Hours?

If you only have two or three hours, take the wagon ride out first, do the corn maze and pick your pumpkin, then come back toward the barn for the activities closer to the food. Erin estimates the wagon ride at about 14 minutes round trip. Picking the perfect pumpkin takes time too, since, as she put it, “there are about a million to choose from.” Save the corn pool and the jumping pillows for later, because those are the activities that make kids not want to leave. Erin also suggests coming early in the day, so tired kids can nap in the car on the way home without ruining bedtime. For a fuller plan, read how to plan the perfect pumpkin patch day.

When Are Pumpkin Patch Activities Open Near Des Moines?

Most pumpkin patch activities run in early fall, when mature corn creates tall maze walls and farms are already welcoming visitors. At Howell’s, the 2026 fall activities run from September 12 to November 1, and the farm is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in September and October, according to its own schedule. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources describes fall as a season known for warm days, cool nights, lower humidity, and colorful foliage. That range is part of what makes fall enjoyable, but it also means one weekend can feel very different from the next. Before leaving home, check the forecast and the farm’s current operating information. Rain can change field paths even after the sky clears, and heavy rain can lead a farm to close an attraction for a while. Check the farm’s website or social channels before you drive out after a storm, and choose footwear that you will not mind getting muddy.

What Should You Wear for a Day of Farm Activities?

Start with comfortable, closed-toe shoes that can handle dirt. Farm paths are gravel, grass and field paths, not paved walkways. Even when the weather is clear, the ground may still be soft or muddy from earlier rain. Dress in layers so you can adjust as temperatures change. A cool morning can become a comfortable afternoon, while sunset can make the air feel chilly quickly. Clothes that can handle a little dust, grass, or mud are a better choice than anything you are worried about keeping spotless. Long pants can make walking near vegetation more comfortable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that ticks can live in grassy and brushy areas and recommends checking for ticks after outdoor activities. Keep what you carry simple. Water, a charged phone, and weather-appropriate clothing cover many of the basics, and families with small children may want wipes or snacks.

Which Pumpkin Patch Activities Are Included With Admission?

At Howell’s, admission covers the main fall activities, including the wagon ride, corn maze, pedal goat carts, bathtub train, bee line, obstacle course and playground, Erin said. The pumpkin cannon, the corn cannon, paintball and pony rides, when they are available, cost extra. Buying tickets online costs less than paying at the gate. New this year, guests who only want to shop the farm market, mums, pumpkins and gourds can do that without buying admission, because the shopping area sits apart from the activity area. A few simple checks can prevent most day-of surprises. Confirm that the maze is open, review current hours, and look for weather-related notices. Find out whether tickets can or should be purchased ahead of time. Families may also want to check age policies, stroller or wagon rules, restroom availability, and whether food is sold on-site.

How Should Families Choose a Pumpkin Patch With Enough to Do?

Start by thinking about the group, not just the pumpkins. A challenging maze may sound exciting, but it may not be the right match for preschoolers or anyone who prefers a shorter walk. Likewise, older children may enjoy a destination more when there are several activities beyond a basic patch. Look at driving distance, operating dates, current field conditions, admission details, and what else is available on the property. If someone in your group has mobility needs, contact the farm before visiting to ask about terrain and accessible activities. For families in Norwalk, Waukee or Ankeny, the deciding question is usually whether one farm can hold everyone’s interest for the whole visit. Compare how many activities each farm includes, and decide whether you want a quick seasonal stop or a half-day outing.

Make Your Fall Day About More Than Picking a Pumpkin

Planning a fall outing can get complicated when young kids need room to play, older children want something challenging, and adults want the day to feel relaxing too. Add changing weather, different attention spans, and the pressure to make the trip worth the drive, and a simple afternoon can start to feel overplanned. Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch offers a way to keep more of that fall experience in one place. The farm features an 8-acre corn maze along with wagon rides, play areas, seasonal farm experiences, and other activities. Instead of building the day around one quick attraction, families can explore at their own pace and choose what sounds fun next. Plan your visit to Howell’s, buy admission online before you go, and give your group a fall day with room for wrong turns, fresh air, laughter, and plenty to do after you find the exit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Activities Are There at a Pumpkin Patch Besides Picking Pumpkins?

Many pumpkin patches add a corn maze, wagon rides, play areas, farm animals and food. At Howell’s in Cumming, the fall lineup also includes jumping pillows, a corn pool, bee lines, pedal goat carts, an obstacle course and a bathtub train.

Which Pumpkin Patch Activities Are Best for Young Kids?

Younger kids usually head for the jumping pillows and the corn pool, according to Erin Conner of Howell’s. The kiddie maze, with its animal track game, is built for them too.

How Long Does a Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze Take?

At Howell’s, Erin said the corn maze could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how long you want to stay in it. Plan extra time if you are visiting with young children or playing the maze game.

Can You Feed the Animals at a Pumpkin Patch in the Fall?

At Howell’s you can feed the goats through the fence in the fall. Holding the baby goats is a spring and summer activity, when the farm is less crowded.

What Is Included With Pumpkin Patch Admission at Howell’s?

Admission covers the wagon ride, corn maze, pedal goat carts, bathtub train, bee line, obstacle course and playground. The pumpkin cannon, corn cannon, paintball and pony rides cost extra.

Should You Buy Pumpkin Patch Tickets in Advance?

Erin recommends buying tickets online, which costs less than paying at the gate, and coming early in the season so you can enjoy the activities at your own pace.

How Much Time Should You Plan for Pumpkin Patch Activities?

If you only have two or three hours, start with the wagon ride, the corn maze and pumpkin picking. On the episode, host Mike Downer suggested three or four hours at Howell’s for a full day with kids.

Is Howell’s a Good Pumpkin Patch Trip From Norwalk, Waukee or Ankeny?

Howell’s sits in Cumming, just southwest of Des Moines, so it works as a fall outing for families across the metro, including Norwalk, Waukee and Ankeny. Check the farm’s hours before you leave.