How to Throw a Pumpkin Patch Party

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By PajamaMommy
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Throw a Pumpkin Patch Party

Spooky Halloween parties are cool, but can be frightening for younger kids. A Pumpkin Patch Party is an alternative that can be enjoyed by children of all ages, and their parents as well. It can also be as much fun to plan as it is to party!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Choose a date and time for your party. Evening is lovely because you can string some pumpkin lights for a pretty effect, but you may need to take the bedtimes of your young guests into consideration.
Step 2

Send out invitations. You can buy or make them, either with craft store embellishments or simply printed from your computer with images you find online. Decide if you want your guests to wear costumes, and indicate if so on the invitation. Consider that there will be pumpkin decorating and games being played that may cause costumes to get ruined.
Step 3

You will need pumpkins. Fill your yard with pumpkins of all sizes. These will be used not only as décor, but also for your guests to decorate and take home.
Step 4

Hay bales will make a nice touch. You can find them on sale in many sizes at the craft store. They will not only add to the pumpkin patch theme, they can serve as additional seating.
Step 5

Set up a pumpkin decorating table. If there will be carving or painting, make sure there is an adult assigned to supervise so the kids don't get hurt or ruin their costumes.
Step 6

You can serve any kind of food you wish, traditional harvest fare or even barbecue as you will be outside anyhow.
Step 7

Have prizes for the games and contests. Treat bags filled with candy, plastic pumpkins, pumpkin flashlights, whatever you can find in the dollar store or somewhere like Oriental Trading.
Step 8

For games you can have a pumpkin pie eating contest, hay ride races (using wheelbarrows or wagons filled with hay), pin the patch on the scarecrow and of course, bobbing for apples.
Step 9

A scavenger hunt can be fun, too. Divide into teams and provide each team with a list of autumn inspired objects you have hidden in the yard.
Step 10

Set up an area that provides a perfect photo opportunity. Make sure each family gets their photo taken with your digital or a designated disposable digital camera. The pumpkin they decorate will be their party favor, but the photo of their family in a lovely autumn setting will be a keepsake they will treasure forever. You can email them with a little note of thank you for coming a couple of days after the party.