Fall Fun at the Pumpkin Patch: Turning Play into Language Opportunities
- Danielle Giarratano
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
Hi friends!
This past weekend, we packed up the kids and headed to a local farm for a classic fall adventure: the pumpkin patch. And let me tell you, it was so much fun. Between the pumpkins, apple cider, tractor rides, and pig races, my toddlers were in heaven.
But here’s the best part: pumpkin patches aren’t just fun, they’re FULL of natural opportunities to build your child’s language skills. As both a speech-language pathologist and a mom, I can’t help but see all the ways these seasonal activities can spark vocabulary, connection, and conversation.
Here are a few ideas to tuck in your pocket if you’re heading to the farm this fall:
🎃 Sensory Descriptions with Pumpkins
Pumpkins are perfect for using all five senses:
Touch: “This pumpkin is bumpy. This one is smooth.” "It feels cold."
Sight: “It’s orange! This one is big, that one is small.”
Smell: “Pumpkin pie smells sweet."
Taste: "Apple cider is cold & tastes sweet!”
Hear: "The pumpkin sounds hallow."
Describing sensory details builds vocabulary and encourages kids to notice differences.
🚜 Tractor Rides = Concept Practice
Riding a tractor? Talk about “fast” vs. “slow,” “up” and “down,” or “stop” and “go.” Kids love labeling action words, and movement makes those concepts stick.
💥 Big Noises and Big Words
We tried paintball targets and an apple cannon (so fun!)—and the kids got to describe the sounds and actions:
“Loud!”
“It shot so far!”
“Boom!”
Moments like these are great for modeling descriptive words and showing kids how to narrate their experiences.
🐷 Animals and Pig Races
From goats to pigs, animals add a whole other layer of language learning:
Labeling what they see: “The pig is pink.”
Describing actions: “That pig is running fast.”
Talking about outcomes: “Who won the race? Who lost?”
🌽 Corn Pit Play
Yes, we climbed into a giant corn pit (basically a ball pit, but with corn kernels) and it was a blast. Use moments like these for sensory language:
“It feels squishy!”
“We’re sinking!”
“The corn is crunchy!”
From My Family to Yours
Fall fun doesn’t have to be just about the photos (though those are sweet too!). Every tractor ride, pumpkin pick, or pig race can be a chance for connection and communication.
So the next time you head to the farm or pumpkin patch, lean into those little language moments—your child is learning while they play, and you’re making memories that last.
Here’s to a season full of pumpkins, giggles, and talk-filled adventures.
XOXO, Danielle
Speech-Language Pathologist & Toddler Mom
PS: Want More Everyday Language Ideas?
Pumpkin patches are just the start! If you loved these tips, come join me (and other toddler parents) inside my free Facebook group: First Words to Forever: Parent Connection Hub. It’s a cozy spot where we share simple, playful ways to help your child grow their
communication skills. 💛
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