This is where you'll find Pumpkin Patches, Fall Festivals, and Trick-or-Treating events. Based on the information available, these are family friendly events without the scare factor. But as always, if you're not sure if an event is appropriate for your child, please contact the venue directly (just click on the venue name). And be sure to scroll to the end of this article for some pumpkin carving tips.
Pumpkin Patches:
- Agua Linda Farm Fall Festival: Open Friday-Sunday from October 5-October 27. See website for hours. $5/person, children 2 & under FREE. 2643 E. Frontage Rd., Amado, AZ.
- Buckelew Farm Pumpkin Festival & Corn Maze: Saturdays & Sundays, from October 5 through October 27, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. $4/person, children in diapers FREE. Click here for Terror in the Corn information. 17000 W. Ajo Way (approx. 30 minutes from Downtown Tucson.)
- Fall Pumpkin Celebration at Applie Annie's Produce & Pumpkins: Saturdays & Sundays through October 27, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM. Don’t miss Arizona’s newest and largest, absolutely amazing CORN MAZE; with 3 levels of difficulty it’s perfect for the entire family! 6405 W. Williams Rd., Willcox.
- Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival: Oct. 5 thru Oct. 31. Mon.-Friday 3:00 PM-7:00 PM; Saturday & Sunday 9:00 AM-7:00 PM; Oct. 31 3:00 PM-7:00 PM. Admission $10 opening weekend and Monday thru Friday; Saturdays & Sundays, $12 per person. Admission includes Festival entry, wagon ride to pumpkin patch, 1 free pumpkin (with paid admission), corn mazes, Straw Mountain, Kids Zone, petting zoo, pig races. 14901 N. Wentz Rd., Marana.
Fall Festivals & Trick-or-Treating:
- Howl-O-Ween at Reid Park Zoo: October 25, 26 & 27, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM (5:30 PM early admission for zoo members.) Join us for fun and safe trick-or-treating at the Zoo! Enjoy costumed characters and decorations galore as you stroll down the paths of the Zoo. This is an all ages event with limited spooks and scares - but lots of fun around every corner! Ticket Prices: $5 for Members, $7 for Non-members.
- My Gym Fall Spectacular: October 25, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM. Meet at My Gym to enjoy our scavenger hunt for "Mymo's" at local businesses. Admission: 2 canned food items per child.
- Halloween in the Wild Family Event at International Wildlife Museum: October 26, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. Activities will include: Ghoulish Games, Creepy Crafts, Haunted House, Tricky Treats, and a Halloween Costume Contest. The Tucson Food Truck Roundup will be at the event, selling a variety of food and beverages. Regular admission rates apply.
- 2nd Annual Fall Festival at Steam Pump Ranch: October 26, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Join us for this FREE, family-friendly event and enjoy hours of fun and entertainment! Festivities include: Pusch Ridge Stables, horse drawn hay wagon rides, petting zoo, pony rides, Western music, horsemanship demos, dance presentations, corn roasting, pumpkin maze, food vendors, Native American Heritage Garden Demonstrations, tours of the house and ranch, and much more! FREE
- NW YMCA 11th Annual Trunk or Treat: October 26, 5:30 PM-8:00 PM. Trunk or Treating, games, crafts, inflatables, climbing wall, Halloween movie, food vendors and more. All activities held at the Pima Community College NW Campus, next the the NW YMCA. Open to the Community. FREE
Pumpkin Carving Tips:
- The Bigger the Better...or easier to carve. Pumpkins with a light colored skin are softer and easier to cut. Shy away from bruises and or moldy stems
- Don't create your lid by cutting straight down or it will fall in. Place the knife at a 42 degree angle.
- Be sure to save your seeds for a healthy snack!
- Ice cream scoops work great for scooping out the seeds. Be sure to scrape the walls well. About 1 inch thickness is ideal.
- Inexperienced carvers should select a simple pattern, moving on to more difficult ones as time goes on.
- Templates are good! Make sure your cutting tools are sharp. Tape template to pumpkin or use push pins to hold in place while tracing. This way you can cut along your lines. You can also use a push pin to make holes along the template and then play connect the dots with your cutting tool.
- For a more stable pumpkin when carving, cut off the bottom. You can either place the body of the pumpkin back on its base, or place the body on a plate when you are ready to illuminate it with a candle.
- If you are using a candle with a lid, you may want to carve an unseen hole in the back to act as a chimney. Never leave a candle-lit jack-o-lantern unattended.
- Many stores sell flameless candles for a safer option to the traditional candle.
- Cinnamon and or nutmeg on the bottom side of your lid will give off a fabulous scent.
