Families looking for a place to take their kids this weekend for fall fun near Des Moines can head to Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch in Cumming, just southwest of Des Moines, where a wagon ride, two corn mazes, jumping pillows, a corn pool, pick-your-own pumpkins and farm animals all sit on one farm. In Episode 14 of Howell’s Farm Experience, “More Than a Pumpkin Patch: Everything Your Family Can Do at Howell’s,” host Mike Downer talks with Erin Conner, one of the sixth-generation owners of Howell’s, about the fall activities that turn a seasonal outing into a full day of memories. For families in Norwalk, Waukee or Ankeny looking for a weekend plan, it puts everything in one stop.
What Fall Activities Can Kids Enjoy at Howell’s?
Howell’s offers attractions designed to keep both younger and older children entertained. Younger visitors often head straight for the jumping pillows and corn pool, where they can bounce, play and even bury themselves in corn.
Older kids may be more interested in the pedal goat carts, mini zip lines and corn maze. Other attractions around the farm include an obstacle course, playground, swings, teeter-totters, mud pie kitchen and Howell’s distinctive bathtub train.
Instead of the smaller barrel-style cars commonly seen at farms, Howell’s train uses clawfoot bathtubs large enough for parents and children to ride together.
The range of activities also reflects the broader role agritourism plays in connecting families with working farms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that educating the public about agriculture is one of the main reasons farmers participate in agritourism.
How Do the Corn Mazes Work for Different Ages?
Howell’s corn maze holds two mazes in one, a kiddie maze and a standard maze, so families can choose an experience based on the ages of their children.
The kiddie maze includes a track game in which children search for different animal tracks, such as raccoon or deer prints, and make rubbings on a card. The standard maze provides more of a challenge for older children, teenagers and adults.
There is even a mystery-style game inside the larger maze. Visitors search for clues and try to determine who committed a fictional crime, which Mike compared to “playing Clue outside in a corn maze.”
Depending on how quickly a family moves, Erin said the maze could take roughly 10 to 30 minutes. Our guide to how long it takes to walk through a corn maze goes deeper on timing.
Can Kids Pick Pumpkins and See the Farm Animals?
Yes. A wagon ride takes visitors out toward the corn maze and pumpkin patch, where families can choose pumpkins right from the field. Pumpkins remain a major part of fall farm traditions across the country. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, pumpkins are grown in every U.S. state and serve both fresh and ornamental markets.
When picking one for decorating, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recommends choosing a pumpkin that is firm, heavy and free from cuts, bruises or soft spots.
The animals provide a different pace from the more energetic attractions. During fall, visitors can feed goats through the fence and spend time around the farm’s animals. Erin explained that direct holding experiences are more common during spring and summer because fall brings larger crowds.
What Should You Do First If You Only Have Two or Three Hours?
Families with only two or three hours should start with the attractions farther from the main barn, Erin suggested.
Take the wagon ride first, which Erin estimates at about 14 minutes round trip, then visit the pumpkin patch and complete the corn maze. Once those activities are finished, head back toward attractions such as the corn pool and jumping pillows.
This approach also puts families closer to food and snacks later in the visit. Parents with younger children may want to arrive earlier in the day, too. Erin noted that leaving around nap time can allow tired kids to sleep during the drive home without disrupting bedtime. For a fuller day plan, read how to plan the perfect pumpkin patch day.
Why Does Having Everything in One Place Matter?
Having so many attractions in one place means families do not have to organize several separate fall outings. “It removes the need to plan multiple outings,” Erin said. Visitors can ride the wagon, explore the maze, choose pumpkins, enjoy active attractions and stop for seasonal photos in one place.
Families can also visit the farm market for mums, gourds, pumpkins and other seasonal items without entering the Fun Farm.
For those planning to experience the attractions, Erin recommends purchasing admission online. In the episode, she explains that admission covers most major activities, while options such as the pumpkin cannon, corn cannon, paintball and occasional pony rides may require an additional purchase.
Watch the Full Howell’s Farm Experience Episode
Hear Erin explain the attractions, ticket options and tips for planning your visit firsthand. Watch the full Howell’s Farm Experience episode on YouTube for more ideas to help your family make the most of a fall day at Howell’s.
When your family is ready to go, buy admission online before your visit.
FAQs
Where can I take my kids this weekend for fall fun near Des Moines?
Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch in Cumming, just southwest of Des Moines, offers a wagon ride, two corn mazes, jumping pillows, a corn pool, pick-your-own pumpkins and farm animals in one visit.
What activities are available at Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch?
Activities discussed in the episode include wagon rides, corn mazes, jumping pillows, pedal goat carts, mini zip lines, an obstacle course, playground areas, a bathtub train and pumpkin picking.
Is the corn maze suitable for young children?
Yes. Howell’s offers a simpler kiddie maze with an animal-track activity, along with a more challenging standard maze for older children and adults.
How long should families plan to stay?
Families can enjoy several highlights in two or three hours, but the variety of attractions makes Howell’s suitable for a longer visit.
What should families do first?
Erin recommends starting with the wagon ride, pumpkin patch and corn maze before returning to activities closer to the barn.
Can visitors interact with the farm animals?
During fall, visitors can feed goats through the fence. More hands-on experiences with baby goats may be available during spring and summer.
Should tickets be purchased ahead of time?
Erin recommends purchasing tickets online and visiting earlier in the season when possible so families can explore the farm at a comfortable pace.
Can you shop at Howell’s without buying Fun Farm admission?
Yes. The farm has a separate shopping area where visitors can purchase items such as mums, pumpkins and gourds without entering the Fun Farm.
Mike Downer: Hello, everybody. Welcome to Howell’s Farm Experience. I’m your host, Mike Downer, and I am joined once again by Erin Conner, one of the owners and sixth generation. Is that right, Erin?
Erin Conner: Yep, I’m sixth generation.
Mike Downer: Sixth generation owner. That tells you they’re doing something right out there. Six generations maintaining this farm and making it better every year says a lot about Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch.
Fall is upon us. It’s Erin’s favorite time of year, so these are some of her favorite conversations. Today, we’re going to talk about why you shouldn’t wait for October and why September is the best-kept secret at Howell’s.
Basically, we’re going to be discussing why Des Moines-area families should treat September, not October, as the ideal time to visit a flower field and pumpkin patch.
Erin, let’s jump right into this. Most people think a fall patch means October, so why is September actually a great time to visit Howell’s?
Erin Conner: Here in September, we have warmer weather, so it’s more comfortable. It’s not freezing out here, and it’s still nice and warm, so you can wear those cute outfits with the shorts and crop tops and not have to worry about freezing to death.
The crowds are thinner in September, and our flower fields are at their peak full bloom with all the colors under the sun. It’s more comfortable to walk out there, take pictures, and enjoy the photo opportunities with spring, summer, or fall dresses, hats, and everything else.
We also have all of our fall attractions going in September, so you still get the whole pumpkin patch, wagon ride, corn maze experience. You don’t have to wait until October to get the full experience.
Mike Downer: That’s great. It’s not like we’re saying, “Don’t come in October.” What we’re telling people is, “Don’t miss September.”
Erin Conner: Exactly. It’s a different atmosphere every week, whether it’s the colors of the flowers, the colors of the leaves, the temperature, or the type of season. It might feel more like fall, or it might feel more Halloween-like.
Mike Downer: You bet. Tell us more about the flower fields. What makes them worth the trip just on their own?
Erin Conner: Here at Howell’s, we’ve been growing flowers for forty years. We originally started with dried flowers, which you can see behind me, back in the eighties.
Now we have also opened up the flower fields we harvest from as U-pick flower fields because everyone wants to have the experience of picking their own flowers. There are so many different varieties, colors, and shades. There are so many options to make the coolest, most beautiful bouquet on your own.
We have two different bucket sizes, so you can choose the price point you want, whether you want the smaller bucket or the bigger bucket. We supply the clippers, and we have a water station out there. You just go pick as many flowers as fit in your bucket.
You can do that over and over. You can buy a new bucket every time you come, or you can bring your old bucket back and do a refill. We have a refill option for the buckets you’ve already purchased.
It’s a one-stop shop. You can get your flowers and your pumpkins.
Mike Downer: We’ve had kind of a very wet summer this year, so I bet those flowers are blooming like crazy right now for you guys.
Erin Conner: Yep. They love that summer heat we had here.
Mike Downer: The summer heat and that natural rainwater. I know you have irrigation to keep everything going, but I’m an old guy—a lot older than you—and you could probably ask your dad. My dad was a farmer. Even though I grew up in the city and I’m a city kid, he used to say there’s nothing plants like more than natural rainwater.
Erin Conner: They definitely took off this summer.
Mike Downer: I bet they did.
We’ve been talking about the flower field, so how does a flower field visit pair with everything else that goes on at Howell’s in the fall?
Erin Conner: Families can cut their own flowers and then move right along into the pumpkin patch after they pick the flowers. Or they can do the pumpkin patch activities first and then, right before they leave, go pick flowers on their way home.
It’s not the same visit either way. You can do the pumpkin patch and pick your pumpkin, or if you’re not quite ready for your pumpkin, you can just go on the wagon ride and get lost in the corn maze. If you come early enough in September, we also have baby goats.
Mike Downer: Oh, I see. Baby goats.
I know people are thinking about photo opportunities and everything else. I’ve heard “tree farm” thrown around in there somewhere. What’s the deal with the tree farm?
Erin Conner: We originally started out as a tree farm.
Mike Downer: Okay, that’s where I’ve heard it.
Erin Conner: Yes, but we are more than that. When you drive by, you see Christmas trees, but we’re farther down the lane. We are more than just a tree farm. We are a whole family destination, a one-stop shop, and a fall-fun adventure.
In terms of photos, we have an awesome flower field and all sorts of different photo opportunities set up out there. Even the flowers in general are their own photo opportunity. We have beautiful white picket fences to give you that whole farm, Hallmark-like feel.
We also have big trees. Since we’re six generations, we’ve been around a long time, so we have some really old trees here on the farm. They help provide shade and fall color. They’re massive trees with beautiful fall colors.
Mike Downer: Some of those trees have to be a hundred years old.
Erin Conner: Over a hundred, yes.
Mike Downer: Wow. Those are the ones that, when you’re a typical city kid driving down the freeway and you see all those pretty trees in the background, that’s what you guys are providing out there, which is cool. It’s one of my favorite times of year.
Erin Conner: Those trees themselves are landmarks in our area. If you see those big, tall trees, you’re like, “Oh, look, there’s Howell’s.”
Mike Downer: That’s very cool. It makes you easy to spot.
Now let’s say I’m planning my trip. Is there a best time of day or day of the week to visit in September for a smoother experience?
Erin Conner: The slowest time would be during the week. You would get the place with less of a crowd.
I suggest coming early because those kids are going to start playing, and they’re not going to want to leave. We do have food options available, so if you stay past lunch and don’t have lunch, we can provide lunch options for you.
You can also come out after lunch or after nap time because in the fall, we stay open later. You can run some extra afternoon energy out of those kids. Especially while the older kids are in school, you can bring out the little ones for some daytime fun.
Mike Downer: I would never suggest that somebody let their kid play hooky to have a fun family experience.
Erin Conner: I’m guilty of that. If it has anything to do with the pumpkin patch, it’s called research and development. Or maybe it’s something else. I call it something, but I’ve played hooky with the kids to go to pumpkin patch activities because I’m obsessed with pumpkin patches.
Mike Downer: I really don’t think a fun bonding experience where they actually learn something is a horrible thing to do. If you choose that and want to go out there on a Tuesday to get the whole experience, they will learn something. Family bonding time is second to none, in my opinion.
Erin Conner: I agree.
Mike Downer: For someone who has only ever thought of Howell’s as the pumpkin place, what’s the message about September?
Erin Conner: Howell’s flowers are in full bloom. Our attractions are open. Pumpkins are already available. It’s worth treating September as its own destination.
We have a lot to offer down here on the farm. We have public restrooms, so it’s not like you’re just down on the farm. We actually have modern plumbing and bathrooms. We also have food options and old-time family fun.
Mike Downer: That’s awesome.
Just for the big kids, like me, when does the corn maze open?
Erin Conner: The corn maze opens the first weekend that we’re open for our fall activities. It runs until Halloween, and then we have to combine it.
I know we’ve had calls from people wanting to do the corn maze two weeks before Thanksgiving, and we’re like, “Hey, it’s already been combined,” because we are an actual working farm out here. Yes, we use the corn for the corn maze, but then we also have to turn around, be farmers, and harvest it.
Mike Downer: I know there’s the whole concept of keeping it up and all that, but Mother Nature has her say in your business as well.
Erin Conner: A couple of years ago, we couldn’t get the corn maze out right away. We couldn’t get it out until spring because it snowed, stayed wet, kept snowing, and then deer started living in it. The yield from cutting it in the spring was horrible, but that wasn’t the point. The point was the corn maze.
We like to try to get the corn in early, right after Halloween. So if you want the corn maze, come between now and Halloween.
Mike Downer: Very good. That makes perfect sense. Like I said, I just wanted to let everybody know that it’s not one hundred percent your decision. Mother Nature has her say in it as well.
I’m thinking everybody needs to get their first trip to Howell’s planned right now and make sure they hit the early season. It’ll be a great setup for the next couple of times you go out there because then you can see the changes as well. If you get the early visit in, the later visits mean that much more because you can see the changes.
Erin Conner: And if you’re planning on making multiple trips, check out our season pass options because that is worth looking into if you’re obsessed with Howell’s like I am.
Mike Downer: You kind of have to be obsessed with Howell’s. You live there, don’t you?
Well, that’s great. I love your passion for a sixth-generation family business, as well as, like you said, being a working farm. There are so many different experiences and so many things people can learn. Family bonding time—I could keep going on. The list is endless.
Everybody, make your plans and go out there. When you go, make sure to drop in and say hi to Erin. I’m sure she’d love to say hi to you. Tell her what a great job she does on the podcast. Just don’t tell her to fire me.
Erin Conner: I’m always here, so whenever they come, they can find me somewhere.
Mike Downer: Sounds good. Erin, thanks a lot for joining me. I look forward to the next time we talk. I’m sure we’re probably going to be getting into the later seasons and everything you guys do out there.
Erin Conner: Yep. I can’t wait.
Mike Downer: All right. Take care.
