Ottawa has such a wonderful selection of pumpkin patches and Halloween activities, but some are better for little kids than others. So, I’ve put together this post with some of my family’s favourite spots so that you can make the right choice when choosing where to head out this October. It is important to note that one of our favourite Ottawa pumpkin patches – The Log Cabin – has had to close for the 2019 fall season due to a family medical situation. Wishing that lovely family the best and hopefully they will be open again in 2020.

Saunders Farm

If you are looking for a FULL day of Halloween family fun with something for everyone then head to Saunders Farm . There is so much to do. It is so much more than a pumpkin patch and the admission price reflects this. There are mazes, play structures, puppet shows, a haunted hay ride, haunted house, restaurants, a cemetery stroll and yes…even a pumpkin patch.

It is a lot of fun, especially if your kids are old enough to enjoy everything there is to offer. The haunted hayride is not recommended for little, little kids (but there is a non-haunted hayride). And I do not recommend going in the haunted house with children under 10. Last year my son and daughter convinced us they should be able to try it. Rowan and I had to use an emergency exit after about two mins :).

Cannamore Orchard

You can visit the store at Cannamore Orchard from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends.  They have Pick-Your-Own pumpkins available during regular business hours, and a great selection of pumpkins available for purchase at the store.

The last day for family activities is on Thanksgiving Monday, October 14th from 11am to 4pm when you can enjoy activities like cow train rides, covered wagon rides, pedal cars, giant hedge mazes, kids play area, petting zoo and pumpkin picking. After Thanksgiving weekend, pick your own pumpkins will only be available before 12 pm (after that Cannamore Orchard is getting ready for their ‘Acres of Terror’, which is definitely for older kids/adults).

Miller’s Farm

Miller’s Farm is another go-to for our family. The farm has 8 acres of pick your own fall produce, so there are plenty of pre picked and pick your own pumpkins to choose from! There is a wagon ride running on the weekends and you can also explore the corn maze and jump in the straw bale pile. Tractor rides run from mid September until October 31st and run from 10am to 4pm on weekends and holidays only. There is no cost to visit the farm but there is a cost to ride the wagon and visit the corn maze.

Potager Eardley

Potager Eardley is a current favourite with our family. It is a lovely farm just across the river in Aylmer. On the weekends they offer wagon rides out to the fields to go pumpkin picking, you can also purchase some pre picked. There is also currently some apple picking left, and you can enjoy a playground, jump in some hay and visit the farm’s few animals. My favourite part is the big red barn where they sell fresh waffles, coffee, gelato, as well as a great selection of take home baked goods, vegetables, fruit and pies!

Proulx Farm

Proulx Farm is another great place to visit if you’re looking for a whole day’s worth of fun. The farm is transformed into a giant Halloween playground. There is an admission price to the farm, and you pay for your own pumpkins on top of that price. You can find face painting, play structures, mazes, children’s show, and pick your own pumpkins from the patch.

The Log Farm

The Log Farm does not have a pumpkin patch for pick-your-own but there is a wonderful selection of pre picked local pumpkins from large to small. The farm is open weekends 9-4. For $6 admission you can enjoy wagon rides, a corn maze, lots of farm animals, nature walk, historic homestead and more.

Pumpkinferno

Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village is not a pumpkin patch where you can purchase your own pumpkins – but it is the coolest display of pumpkins I have EVER seen. It’s not a short drive to get out to Upper Canada Village – it takes about an hour or so to get there from Ottawa, but it is well worth the trip.

There are 7000 hand crafted pumpkins on display, and you really have to see the amazing creations to believe it. There are a number of restaurant options at Upper Canada Village, so my family really enjoys grabbing dinner in the very family-friendly cafeteria, and then taking a hot apple cider to go as we stroll around and marvel at the pumpkin displays. Pumpkinferno doesn’t open until 7 pm, so it’s not the best option for little kids with an early bedtime.

I HIGHLY recommend buying tickets online ahead of time as evenings do sell out. Be prepared for mud and cool autumn evening weather! Some years it has been very muddy when we visited and boots were a big plus. It is a stroller friendly event.