Fall Fun at Foster Farm

Please note: This post was written in 2022 and while it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it may also contain some outdated information. Please be sure to visit their website before you go for the most current information, especially about things like hours and pricing.

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2022 Post:

When we started this blog over a decade ago, Mandy and I joked that by the time we documented all the fun things to do with kids in CT, we’d have to start all over again because our early posts would be woefully outdated. Sometimes that is very true, and sometimes, like I discovered last weekend, things are pretty much just the way you remember them 🙂

In 2012, Mandy and her family, which back then included two toddlers and a newborn, visited Foster Farm in South Windsor and discovered that it’s a great place for a toddler outing. I remember her being so excited to find out that this farm was open all week long, unlike many fall festivals that are just open on weekends. This meant that stir-crazy stay-at-home-moms (like we were back in those days) had a perfect weekday option for a stress-free playdate!

Foster Farm is still open 7 days during their fall season, October 1st-31st, (and they still offer their special “courtyard pricing” during the week–just $5/person ages 4+; ages 3 and under FREE!–more on that later), so it’s still a super option for parents of little ones looking for ways to get “out and about” during the week. But I wanted to see if my now older crew–ages 5, 9 & 12–would enjoy a visit as well. Spoiler alert: They had a blast 🙂

You’ll want to check out Mandy’s post for a little bit of logistics. She has some pics of the entrance to the farm, which looks a little bit like you are turning into someone’s private property at first–don’t worry, you are going the right way!

There is still a large parking area. And it’s an easy walk over to the entrance.

You’ll need to stop at the little admissions shack to pay for entry. The weekend fee is per person and covers all the activities in the courtyard plus the corn mazes (That’s right! There’s more than one!) and the hayride. As I mentioned, during the week they offer a special “courtyard price” of just $5/person ages 4+. That special weekday-only fee gives you access to all of the many activities in the courtyard (perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!), plus the mini maze, but does not include the large mazes or hayride.

Also important to note: there are pumpkins for sale in the courtyard, and these are NOT included in the price of admission. We know this can sometimes be confusing because there are fall festivals where your admission ticket does include a pumpkin. This is not one of those places. Please pay separately for any pumpkins or other fall decor items you’d like to purchase.

Once we entered the courtyard, my kids had the same exact reaction they would have had when they were all little– their eyes got wide with excitement and they all took off sprinting in different directions. Of course, now that they are older this is not such a big deal as when we were chasing after toddlers! (Hang in there toddler moms! This too shall pass!). In fact, it was delightful. My husband and I looked at each other like, what do we do now? Could we maybe possibly sit down at one of these picnic tables and just relax for a change???

There’s also a snack bar with food and beverages over behind the ship playscape. It serves thing like hot dogs and prepackaged snacks and treats. Plus hot cider. There are lots of picnic tables around.

The hayride also departs from this corner. We did not have a chance to do the hayride on this visit, but it is included in the price of admission.

After all that running around and exploring, it was time to conquer the corn maze! There are actually three here. Two large mazes and a cute mini make sized just right for your toddler.

This year’s theme for the big mazes is “Our Beautiful Earth…Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!“

We opted for the maze on the left in that photo above, mainly because we couldn’t find the other one LOL. I think it might have been located over by the hayride.

I should note that the maze terrain is very uneven, full of rocks and loose earth. So you’ll want to chose your footwear accordingly (i.e. probably don’t want to come in flip-flops). And if it’s rained recently, rubber boots are always a good idea (that suggestion really applies to any farm, anywhere). It’s not really possible to navigate a stroller through there, so opt for a wearable baby carrier if you’ve got a non-walker.

After we had successfully navigated the corn maze, we spent a little more time in the courtyard area. They kids wanted snacks (because of course they did) so we picked up a few things from the snack shack and then wandered around while the kids ran to and fro, here and there, all over really. Jumping and sliding and bouncing and digging in the corn pit (please be sure to read my note above on corn pits; you’ve been forewarned). It was awesome to see my multi-age crew just hanging out, doing kid stuff, being active, having a blast, outside in the fresh air, not a screen or video game in sight (and no one complaining about that!). Yet another reason why I love fall in New England 🙂

Hope you get a chance to check out Foster Farm this season. The farm is open every day through October 31st.

Foster Farm

90 Foster Street, South Windsor, Connecticut

Phone:  (860) 648-9366

Hours (2022):

• October 1-31 Open Everyday 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.

Pricing (2022):

GENERAL ADMISSION (Week days, weekends & holidays)
***Admission price includes all of the corn mazes, all courtyard activities, and hayride*** 
Adults (13 & older) : $12
Children (4-12): $7
Toddlers (3 & under): FREE
Seniors (60 & older): $11
College Student with current Valid student ID: $11

COURTYARD PRICING (Week days only)
***Includes courtyard play areas, mini maze and hayride. This Admission Price is ONLY available on WEEKDAYS. Courtyard pricing does not apply on holidays.***
Ages 4 & older: $5
Ages 3 & under: FREE

Courtyard Family Season Pass: $50 family of 4
***ONLY VALID MONDAY-FRIDAY***

No Courtyard price on weekends or holidays. General Admission is applied. $12 for adults $7 children 4 -12 yrs old.

There are also group rates available. Please visit their admissions page for more information.

Details:

Stroller Friendly: YES for the courtyard area; NO for the corn mazes and hayride.
Restroom: Porta-potties are located throughout.
Baby Changing Area: NO
Parking: YES, plenty of parking in a large field very close to the activities.
Food for Sale: There is a snack shack offering a few small meal and snack items.
Outside Food Allowed: YES. Plenty of picnic tables around to enjoy your packed snack or lunch!
Cash Required: NO, credit cards are accepted for everything, although there is a $15 minimum.
Dress Code: Closed-toe shoes for the mazes (or rubber boots for sure if it’s rained lately). Be sure to choose shoes you won’t mind getting dirty. The maze kicks up a lot of dirt and dust.
Age Recommendation: All ages! My 5, 9 and 12 year olds all had a ball. This is also the PERFCT place to let toddlers and preschoolers run wild (while you still supervise them, of course). Lots of open space and so many different activities to explore! Plan an easy peasy playdate. Seriously, plan it now. You’ll thank me 🙂
Birthday Party Venue: YES. Find more information HERE.

Find additional answers to FAQs HERE.

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