The Harvest Moon shines a light on some family friendly fun
It’s said Fall is a second Spring. Every leaf is like a flower, bursting into brilliant colors, waiting to be admired. Rather than just sitting on the sidelines, watching those leaves turn, why not dance among them? Gather up the kids; this area is full of opportunities to have fun and enjoy the most colorful season of the year.
I don’t know about you, but when October rolls around, my mouth begins to water. Fall’s seasonal treats, like fresh pressed apple-cider, apple doughnuts, and apples right off the tree are ready for munching at Apple Hill Orchards. It’s a great afternoon outing for the family. Kids can pick their own apples and pumpkins as well as watch the honeybees do their thing in an observation hive. Kids’ days are held during the season, and include a petting zoo, cider-pressing, apple sling shots, scavenger hunts and so much more. For a full immersion into the Autumn season, Harvest Moon hayrides take place and include bonfires, hot dogs and marshmallow cooking, and hot mulled cider. Check their website at http://www.applehill.biz for dates and times for apple-picking as well as these awesome Fall family-friendly events.
Wayne’s Country Market is scheduling October Fall field trips for 10 or more children, ages pre-school through 3rd grade. For $3 per child, the kids will have the opportunity to navigate a straw maze, enjoy a fun house and slides, swing from a rope, sample cider, and many other kid-friendly learning opportunities and activities. The adults will enjoy a stroll through market afterwards to pick up wine, cheese, and fruit for munching later. Wayne’s has a huge selection of products to suit everyone from the simple snacker to the gourmand. You can find more information on the kids activities and the market at http://www.waynescountrymarket.com
If you’ve never been to Kingwood Center for the spectacular Great Pumpkin Glow, this is an event you will want to put on your calendar. Held on Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 4- 9 p.m. Kingwood Center’s grounds are transformed into a Halloween wonderland; decked out with scarecrows, gourds, corn stalks, and literally hundreds of one of a kind carved pumpkins, lit, and lining the garden pathways. We encourage you to let your secret artist out to play. The public is invited to carve a pumpkin (pumpkins and tools provided) on Friday, October 19th and Saturday, October 20th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check Kingwood’s website for complete information about this awesome Halloween experience at http://www.kingwoodcenter.org.
Garden Gate in Lexington, Ohio hosts school and group tours for little ones as well. Crafts, hayrides, scavenger hunts, corn crib playtime straw mazes, rope swing and zip line are all geared towards pre-school to 3rd grade adventurers. Teachers can check out all the details at http://www.gardengatefarmmarket.com and you indulge in the fun for free. Beginning October, every weekend is also family fun weekend. Kids, bring mom and dad along too!
Finally, if you are looking for a place to experience an incredible corn maze adventure, Honey Haven Farm in Ashland is definitely the place to go. Covering over 8 acres, this year’s corn maze design celebrates 100 years of Girl Scouts. Hidden in the maze are numbers waiting to be found. You locate them, you can win great restaurant gift certificates! This year, for the first season, walk the corn maze after dark, no spooks or scares, just fun. Bring your flashlights. Horse drawn wagon rides will take you out to the pumpkin fields to find the perfect pumpkin “match in the patch” just waiting to be taken home and carved. Test your skill at pumpkin sling shots or have a blast shooting off the corn cannon. There is even an indoor straw maze for the littlest ones. Browse through the work of local craftsmen who have their wares set up for sale in the century old barn. Food is the always the best way to top off a day and Honey Haven offers their own pumpkin ice cream, home-made apple dumplings and donuts and fresh apple cider too. A schedule of events and hours of operation can be found at http://www.honeyhavenfarm.com
