• Take the kids to a pumpkin patch before Halloween.Pumpkin image by PhotoVision from Fotolia.com
  
  As autumn approaches, many families and groups go pumpkin picking to give children a feel for the change of seasons as well as a close-up experience of how fruits and vegetables grow. If you have the opportunity to take your children to the pumpkin patch a few times during the pumpkins' growing season, they will witness the full growing cycle.
  
  

Max's Miracle Ranch

• For picking pumpkins in Northern California, go to Max's Miracle Ranch in Biggs, 75 minutes north of Sacramento. The ranch provides activities for special-needs children with difficult health issues. The ranch's Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch helps fund these activities. The pumpkin patch is open to school groups as well as families who come for a day of pumpkin picking. The ranch follows organic growing practices. During pumpkin-picking season in October, the ranch is open for visitors from morning till evening.
  
  

Applejack Pumpkin Patch

• Visit the Applejack Pumpkin Patch in Augusta, Kansas, east of Wichita off the Kansas Turnpike. The Applejack Pumpkin Patch, which grows its produce organically, invites school field trips and families to join its farm activities in addition to enjoying the opportunity to pick pumpkins in the pumpkin patch. Hayrides, hill slides, corn and silo mazes and barrel runs offer additional fall fun.
  
  

Harvest Valley Farms

• Harvest Valley Farms in Erie, Pennsylvania, invites families and other groups to their farm to pick fresh produce to take home. Harvest Valley Farms hosts a yearly Pumpkintown USA, so visitors can pick their own pumpkins. Pumpkin picking takes place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout October.
  
  

Rock Creek Farm

• The Rock Creek Farm of Broomfield, Colorado, has over 100 acres of pumpkin fields. In addition to pumpkin picking, the farm invites guests to enjoy corn mazes, hay bale maze and visits with farm animals. Visitors can access the Boulder County farm daily throughout the month of October.
  
  

Rocky Creek Farm

• Pumpkin-pickers in Bozeman, Montana, can pick pumpkins and other fruits and vegetables at the Rocky Creek Farm. Visitors end their day with fresh apple cider and a hayride. Families and other groups are welcome Mondays through Saturdays.