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Fall festivals have always been some of my favorite places—full of pumpkins, hay bales, and that unmistakable feeling of the season. But this visit to the pumpkin patch felt a little different.

Walden Pumpkin Farm in Tennessee is one of our favorite pumpkin patches for families, with plenty of kid-friendly activities to enjoy all season long. This time, my daughter decided she wanted to share the experience in her own way.

As she put it, pumpkin patches are for everyone—but the activities are really for kids, so who better to show you around than a kid? I have to admit, she makes a pretty convincing argument.

She took the lead on what to see and how to share it, and I loved watching her excitement as she brought her ideas to life. It’s a perspective we’ve never shared before—and one that made the day even more fun.

So today’s post is a guest feature by my daughter, with just a little help from me.

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Kid’s Guide to Visiting Walden Pumpkin Farm

Hi! My name is Tessa, and I want to show you around Walden Pumpkin Farm.

This time of year, visiting a pumpkin patch is a perfect fall activity. We’ve been to a lot of different farms, but I think this one is my favorite because it has so many fun things for kids. So come along, and I’ll show you what to do!

There are two areas of the farm. The first area is free and has a stage where musicians play, a country store where you can buy food and decorations, places to eat, and lots of pumpkins to pick from.

But if you want to go into the kids’ activity area, you’ll need to buy a wristband (it was $12 per person when we went).

We started by the stage, where a banjo player was singing “Rocky Top Tennessee.” That was fun—but the best part is definitely the kids’ area.

One of my favorite things was the giant tube slides. You have to sit on a feed bag so you can slide all the way down. If you’re younger, it helps to have someone show you how to use the bag. After that, you can swing on the giant tubes and then climb all the way to the top of the haystack mountain.

There’s also a place where you can practice roping a steer with a lasso. It’s way harder than it looks! I got really close a few times but couldn’t quite catch it.

If you feel brave, you can walk through the Creepy Corner. It’s dark with some spooky surprises, but it’s not too scary for kids.

You should also ride the pumpkin train, where a tractor pulls carts around the farm. It’s really fun, but the line can get long—so you might want to do that first.

After that, head into the corn maze and look for pictures of farm animals along the way. It’s not too big, so you won’t get lost for long. Just watch for the pumpkin scarecrow at the end and give him a high five!

If your parents are like mine, they will want to take a lot of pictures. There are so many cute spots around the farm. I loved the giant sunflowers next to the corn stalks. You might have to wait your turn for pictures because everyone wants one.

The farm also has animals you can pet, like goats, donkeys, pheasants, pigs, and cows. Make sure you only feed them the food from the machines. I loved petting the pig and rubbing the cows’ noses.

Don’t miss the hay maze under the pavilion—it’s a lot of fun! Most kids can see over the hay bales, so it’s not scary. Just try not to get hay in your clothes because it gets really itchy.

We also stopped in the Country Store to look at local jam, honey, and sauces. They also have a lot of fun fall decorations.

Before you leave, take a ride on the hay wagon that goes around the farm. And of course—you can’t forget the pumpkins! There are so many shapes, sizes, and colors that it’s hard to choose just a few.

My mom loves pumpkins and would fill our whole driveway if she could. We didn’t do that—but we got enough to make our own little pumpkin patch by the front door. I can’t wait to carve them and put lights inside.

So that’s my guide to visiting Walden Pumpkin Farm. Thanks for coming along with me! Happy Fall!– from Tessa

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Know Before You Go: Walden Pumpkin Farm

• Location: Smyrna, Tennessee
• Season: Open in the fall (typically September–October)
• Admission: Free entry for the main area; activity wristbands required for the kids’ area
• Best for: Families with young kids
• Time to visit: Plan for 2–3 hours to enjoy everything at a relaxed pace

Quick Tip: Head to the pumpkin train early—lines get long later in the day!

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Watching the day through her eyes made this visit feel entirely new. What I might have simply enjoyed as a fall tradition became something more—an adventure led by curiosity, excitement, and a deep appreciation for all the little details that make places like this so special.

There’s something really meaningful about stepping back and letting your kids take the lead, even just for a day. It reminds you that the magic of these moments isn’t just in the pumpkins or the activities, but in the joy of experiencing them together.

I have a feeling this won’t be the last time she takes over the blog—and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Follow along for more adventures near and far!

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