PLEASE NOTE: This post was written in 2013. While this post should still give you a great idea of the overall experience, it is also possible that it may contain some outdated information. Please be sure to check their website for the most current information, especially about things like hours and pricing.
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Cut to the chase. Take me to the Momsense.
We were creeping up on mid-October and I still had not yet picked a few pumpkins for the season, so it was time for a pumpkin picking trip.
Last year my crew’s pumpkin picking destination was The Pickin’ Patch in Avon but, of course, I had to find a new place for our pumpkin picking 2013 adventure (my poor kids are never going to get to go to the same place twice!)
I had seen a few advertisements and gotten a recommendation for a place in Windsor, so that is where we headed this past weekend.
Brown’s Harvest is located in Windsor, Connecticut, not far from one of my favorite parks.
On the farm they grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, but most of their farming activity focuses on growing shade leaf tobacco and pumpkins.
The farm is open every day from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and offers a variety of activities for the young and old alike.
During the weekdays, families can enjoy:
- Purchasing fall decorations: pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, etc.
- Apple cider and cider donuts
- Children’s corn maze and play area ($3 for children 3 and up, FREE for adults, FREE for children under 3)
- Firetruck
On the weekends, the activities expand to include:
- Hayrides (FREE for children 2 and under, $5 for everyone else, includes the children’s corn maze and play area)
- 5-acre corn maze (FREE for children 3 and under, $7 for children 4-9, $10 for anyone ages 10 and up, includes a hayride)
- Face painting ($5)
- Inflatable slide ($2 for 3 rides)
- Concession stand
- Musical Entertainment
- Painted pumpkins
- and more
There was parking available right on the property and a few parking attendants on hand to keep things running smoothly.
We got out of the car, put Sweetheart in a stroller and made our way towards the activities. The first thing we saw was a stand selling maze/hayride tickets.
We were going to take the kids on the hayride and to the children’s corn maze and play area. Since all my kids are under three, there was only a fee for me and my husband, $5 each.
There was also a 5-acre corn maze available. Tickets for that maze included a hayride as well and the entrance to the maze was right next to the stand selling tickets.
The port-a-potty was also there (it was the only restroom I noticed on the property).
After we purchased our tickets, we made our way into the main activity area.
As we entered, there was a little sign outlining the activities for the day. Hayrides, inflatable slide, face painting, a band, and much more.
I had to point out to my husband the “No Pets” sign. He so wanted to bring our dog on this outing and I had to remind him that when you have three little kids (who we can barely keep under control), you no longer get to bring the family dog on outings.
I know. I mean 🙂
Just make sure you leave your dog (or pet elephant) at home.
When we got inside, my kids made a bee-line to the children’s play area.
Designed for kids ages eight and under, the fenced-in area offered fun for the younger crowd. It included a small, manageable corn maze, climbing structures with slides, play houses, tunnels and more.
It was pretty easy to keep an eye on the kids in the play area because it was mostly fenced-in. The challenge was trying to find them when they disappeared into the corn maze. Ha! 
Right next to the play area was the loading spot for the hayride. There were two tractors running and it wasn’t a long wait for the next one to arrive.
The wagon for the ride was pretty easy to get into and was fairly well enclosed. It is hard to see in the picture below but there was actually a mesh netting that ran along the bottom, making me feel pretty safe with little ones inside. The ride lasted about 10 minutes or so and took us around the farm property.
Oh and you may be wondering what we did with our stroller during the hayride. We just left it near the kids play area. We probably could have also left it near the hayride entrance. They had someone there collecting tickets and checking wristbands and that might have been another good place to stash it.
After the hayride, the kids spotted a vintage fire truck and were off in a flash.
Then it was onto the inflatable slide. Tickets were $2 for 3 trips down the slide and could be purchased inside the farm store (right nearby). The kids had to take off their shoes to go down and kids 3 and under had to have a parent accompany them (no ticket required for the parent, though). 
There was also face painting available. It was $5 and you could purchase the ticket for this activity inside the farm store as well.
I had brought lunch for the kids which I was hoping they would eat on the car ride home (so they wouldn’t fall asleep), but there was plenty of food available for purchase at as well.
They had a concession stand that opened around noon and sold all sorts of grilled goodies. There was also cider donuts, apple cider, coffee and other treats available for purchase inside the farm store and lemonade available for purchase at the Alex’s Lemonade stand outside.
Speaking of food, it was starting to get close to lunchtime and we still hadn’t taken care of our goal for the outing, PUMPKINS! I headed back to the Brown’s Harvest entrance to pick up a wagon to carry our goods and the kids started their hunt for the perfect pumpkin. Fortunately for my wallet, they are only able to pick up the little pumpkins, so that is what was selected. And, of course, while we were pumpkin searching, I snapped a few important “kids picking pumpkins” photos.
With our pumpkins selected, it was time to head into the farm store to get them weighed and purchased.
Fortunately, we got our pumpkins purchased right in time. As soon as the transaction was complete, it was meltdown time for a certain toddler in our group. I had to toss that not-to-be-named munchkin under my arm and we high-tailed it to the car while they kicked, screamed and tried to turn themselves into an impossible to carry noodle. But we eventually made it to the car, got a little nourishment into them and all was right with the world again.
Wow, we definitely had a busy morning at Brown’s Harvest! The kids were worn out, we got our much-needed pumpkins, and I got my favorite pumpkin pictures. Now I just need to look up our no carve pumpkin posts (2011 and 2012) to find a fun pumpkin craft decorating project for the kiddos.
Have you been to Brown’s Harvest? What is your favorite thing to do there? Have you tried out their large corn maze? How tough is it?
1911 Poquonock Avenue, Windsor, Connecticut
Get even more event details on their Facebook page.
Hours:
- Open daily from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Hayrides and corn maze are available every weekend through November 3rd
Admission:
- FREE
- Hayrides: only available on the weekend and included with the purchase of the adult or children’s corn maze
- Children’s corn maze: $5 per person on the weekend and $3 per person on the weekday, FREE for children under 3, FREE for adults
- 5-acre corn maze: $10 for people ages 10 and up, $7 for those ages 4-9, and FREE for those 3 and under
- Face painting: $5
- Inflatable slide: 3 tickets for $2
- Tickets can be purchased at the stand near the parking lot or inside the farm store.
- Cash, checks, MasterCard and VISA accepted
Parking:
- FREE parking available onsite
Tips & Things to Bring:
- Bring a stroller or baby carrier for any non-walking little ones.
- Go ahead and purchase your maze/hayride tickets before heading into the activity area. I promise this is the first place your kids will want to go!
- Food is available for purchase on the property. Grab some coffee and homemade cider donuts for a mid-morning snack or hang around for lunch and grab a bite to eat from the concession stand that opens at noon.
- Wagons are available on the property that you can use to carry your pumpkin purchases.
- The only restroom that I noticed was the port-a-potty near the parking area.
- Watch out for costumed characters. These can be fun for a lot of little ones, but some kids (like mine) are a little frightened of people in costume. There were several dressed up characters when we were there (a pumpkin, wizard, etc.) Just be on the lookout if that is a potential meltdown scenario for your tiny tot.
- Don’t bring fido. Pets are not allowed on the property.
- Additional questions? Check out their FAQ page here.
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