This is embarrassing, but after going to the pumpkin patch with my daughter, I ended up on the couch for three hours straight. And I don’t sit down during the day. Like ever. In my defense, I’d brought one water bottle for four long, hot hours of hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin hauling. I’m not trying to scare you away from taking your class on a field trip to the pumpkin patch (just bring extra water!). But if a field trip isn’t happening this year, you can bring the whole experience into your classroom with a pumpkin patch dramatic play center. Below, I’ll show you how to set up a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a DIY corn maze, a pumpkin snack shop, and a bakery, plus the printable signs, job cards, and props that make it all come together.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you by linking to Amazon.com. See the full disclosure here.
Fall Lesson plans
How to set up a pumpkin patch dramatic play center
The heart and soul of this dramatic play center is definitely the actual pumpkin patch. Start with a brown sheet or butcher paper. This brown sheet is brought to you from the mid 2000s when we decorated everything in brown. Good thing I saved it.
Then, add green vines and pretend pumpkins. Don’t have pumpkins or want to spend money on them? Add recycled paper inside of paper lunch bags and roll them up like pumpkins. Then, have your kiddos paint them orange.
Finally, add in the pumpkin printouts and the “Pick your own pumpkins!” sign.
Materials:
- Fall Preschool Activities
- pretend pumpkins (Michael's)
- green vines (Michael's)
- watering can
- display stand/table
- foldable fence
DIY Corn Maze
Props for the Pumpkin Patch
Hands down, my favorite part of the pumpkin patch is the corn maze. This is one of my mandatory fall activities for my family. I just love a good puzzle, and the corn maze is basically a life-size puzzle.
And what’s better for all our young puzzle-lovers out there than setting up their own corn maze?
To make the corn stalks, first cut out pieces of cardboard measuring about 6 inches by 6 inches. Then, glue balloon stems upside down onto the cardboard. Finally, tape the corn printouts onto the top of the balloon stems.
The corn stalks can stand up on their own and can be set up and moved around by your little farmers while in the pumpkin patch dramatic play center!
Materials:
- Fall Activities for Preschoolers
- long plastic balloon stems (Dollar Tree)
- cardboard pieces (6" x 6")
- hot glue
- clear packing tape
Pumpkin Snack Shop
Real-Life Experiences
Are you team pumpkin spice? I never used to come near anything pumpkin-flavored, but then my teammate made chocolate chip pumpkin bread (mind you, while I was pregnant), and now I am team Jen’s pumpkin bread. I still dream about it every fall.
Whether you or your kiddos are team pumpkin spice, you can still have fun setting up this pumpkin snack shop!
I definitely took the easy way out on this one: everything was printable. I thought about cutting and sewing felt together, and then thought, “Who am I kidding?” I don’t sew. But if you’re crafty, go for it. It will make this snack shop extra sweet!
All of the snacks were displayed on silver trays that I picked up from the Dollar Tree, and we also used them as serving trays for the snacks. The pumpkin seeds were the only real item in the shop so the bakers could pretend to bake them and put them in the brown paper pumpkin seed bags.
I love how snack shops encourage our little ones to read numbers and count out the money. Plus, they love ordering and sitting down to eat!
Materials:
- Fall Preschool Bundle
- small silver trays (Dollar Tree)
- brown paper bags
- plastic cups
- display stand/table
Lesson planning taking over your weekends?
The Turner Tots Teacher Club gives you instant access to 38+ preschool themes so it's not just a one-week win. It’s the start of stress-free planning all year long.
Pumpkin Patch farmers
Hayrides, Planting, & Raking Leaves
Sometimes I just shake my head at the shenanigans my parents are up to now that they have no kids at home. My parents were watching our dog, Cooper, while we were on vacation. Then, ding! My mom sent a picture of my dog on my dad’s lap during a hayride. They both looked as happy as can be at Happy Apple Farm. 🤦🏼♀️
And your little farmers will feel that same way with all of the exciting activities they get to do! They will get to plant and water the pumpkins, rake the leaves, set up the corn maze, and enthrall all of the customers (maybe even a dog or two) with hayrides!
Materials:
- Fall Activities for Preschool
- stool
- box or cloth bag (for the customers to climb inside)
- fabric leaves
- rake
- lanyards (perfect for name tags)
Pumpkin Patch Bakery
Pretend Pumpkin Pies, Donuts & Lattes
I love baking, but I am overly obsessed with sweets and will eat the whole [pie, batch, pan, etc.]. It’s a problem. I know. This is why I only bake on special occasions.
But at least we can pretend!
Pretend to bake the pumpkin pies in the oven, frost (and lick) the icing on the deep-fried donuts, make creamy hot chocolate, and roast salty pumpkin seeds. I’m imagining it all right now, Homer Simpson drooling and everything.
Materials:
- Fall Preschool Activities
- silver trays (Dollar Tree)
- plates
- plastic fork, knife, spatula
- plastic bag with orange pompoms (icing bag)
Pumpkin Patch Customers
Picking, Shopping, & the Corn Maze
And the best part of the pumpkin patch is being the customer!
Your preschoolers will love picking out their own pumpkin, buying and eating delicious snacks from the snack shop, going on a tractor ride, and finding their way through the corn maze. I’m not sure how many times I saw my little ones running through the corn maze!
There are so many ways to learn through play with this pumpkin patch dramatic play center!
Materials:
You might also like...
MORE Fall Activities for Preschoolers
All those hayrides and pretend pies are hiding a whole lot of learning in this pumpkin patch dramatic play center! Your kiddos will be counting dollars at the snack shop, reading menus and signs, taking turns on the hayride, and learning new vocabulary. Ready to open your own pumpkin patch? Grab the Fall Preschool Activities bundle and get every printable sign, job card, and snack shop menu you need, ready to print and play!
