With Halloween fast approaching, we had to fit in a favorite, Tolmachoff Farms Pumpkin Patch in Glendale. After a half day of school, I scooped up my seven-year-old and four-year-old and headed to the West Valley for “Pumpkin Days and Corn Maze” fun! Unfortunately, my husband had to work, but we brought my dad -aka Pepaw- along for the adventure!
Tolmachoff has an incredible amount of activities for all ages. A standout is their six-acre corn maze, which, this year, is shaped like a giant windmill! My kids dragged us straight to it, and we delighted in getting lost among the stalks. Make sure to allow yourself an hour to complete this!! If you prefer, there is a mini maze that only takes two minutes!
Then, it was off to the petting zoo, which had the cutest baby lamb and calves, along with many other animals. Don’t forget quarters ($.50) to feed them!
We stopped by the corn box, where my kids could have stayed immersed all day, making corn equivalents of snow angels. Hint- there is a second corn box if you walk down the south side of the pumpkin patch, and it was less busy. One thing I love about this farm is the variety of play areas where kids (and, I suppose, adults) can climb, slide, ride trikes, play giant games, and wear themselves out. There is even a hay pyramid and a giant spider web to crawl on.
Favorite activities of our day:
My son’s pick = the enormous jumping pillow. I love that they monitor the number of kids on it at one time!
My daughter’s vote = the $3.00 barrel train ride along the huge pumpkin patch. If you have a little one who doesn’t like to have you out of their sight, don’t stick them on this ride! The train goes way down the patch, and you won’t be able to keep up.
Pepaw’s pick = riding the pedal carts with the grandkids. Definitely a workout to keep these things moving!
My choice = all of the photo opps for this photo-happy mama. There are many cute displays set up, as well as sunflowers growing. The farm offers to take your family’s photo upon entering, but, instead of paying a hefty price for a photo package, I just had someone take our picture in front of the beautiful sunflowers!
After a few hours, we were tired and ready to eat. You can bring food in, like we did, or purchase food there. The Barn N Grill menu is huge, and has something for everyone, including lots of treats and drinks! There is plenty of covered seating, a handwashing station near the porta potties (plus, a changing table if needed), and sanitizer throughout the farm.
Agreeing that we all had a blast, we picked up a pumpkin on the way out. Pumpkins go for $4.00 and up. You can borrow a little red wagon (no charge) to pick your own pumpkin straight from the patch or select one at the farm stand up front, where they also sell bottled dressing, syrups, jams, and candy.
With the weather finally in the 80s, and Halloween just around the corner, I recommend Tolmachoff Farms if you are looking for one last memory-making activity to wrap up October!
A few extra tips:
- Buy all of the tickets you might need at the same time, when you first arrive, so you won’t have to get back in line later. These might include train ride tickets or tomato cannon tickets. You can fling tomatoes for $3.00 on weekend days.
- Wear closed-toe shoes – lots of dirt!
- Bring plenty of water and sunscreen!
- Plan on spending a few hours here if you want to do it all! And, don’t forget, the family maze takes an hour!! The weekend before Halloween could be busy!
The farm is located at 5726 N 75th Ave, Glendale, AZ, 85303. Entry price is $17.00 – $15.00 if cash – and one and under is free. It is open through Oct. 29th. The 31st will only be open for pumpkin sales and the haunted maze. (Check out azfieldofscreams.com for information on the farm’s haunted maze).
Farm hours are Wed. and Thurs. 1-8, Fri. 1-10, Sat. 10-10, and Sun. 10-8. Entry sales stop one hour before close, and parking is free. Train sales stop at 6, and train rides stop at 7 on Wed., Thurs., and Sun. Train sales stop at 8, and train rides stop at 9 on Fri. and Sat. Find more info on their website.
More great pumpkin patches in Phoenix and around Arizona can be found here!
