Thomasson Family Farm and Pumpkin Patch

Tuesday October 8^th was your typical Washington morning; cold, foggy and a forecast of nothing but rain.  However, a tremendous amount of our Darcy Read Memorial Preschool parents and students bared the weather, bundled up and strapped on their rain boots for the annual trip to the Thomasson Family Farm.   We gathered up at the entrance to the farm just before ten am and were greeted by one of the farm’s owner’s- Mrs. Thomasson.  She welcomed us and explained the variety of activities we would enjoy; first up was the Hay Ride.

The farm attendants occupied the children with a fun song; “This is a hammer, this is a nail.  When this tractor’s moving keep you pants nailed to a bail.”  The farm’s fields were very muddy from the rain so they drove the kids in a figure eight around the parking lot.  The children loved the ride but were ready to attack the main event:  The great pumpkin search.  The farm was expecting many field trip groups that day and they had prepared by lining up a bunch of preschooler sized pumpkin in front of a row of flags for the children to select from.  It was run to see how each child made their selection.  Some children picked up the first pumpkin that made them crack a smile and were ready to move on to the next activity while others hustled away from the group as far as they could before making their pumpkin selections. 

While the children refueled with some chocolate milks, the farm assistants talked about how they grow the pumpkins from seeds, discussed the different colors and types of pumpkin seeds their farm uses and also how they recycle their unsold pumpkins. 

The next sets of activities were also a big hit.  First; the kids waited in line and took their turn on the Tractor Train.  When they were done enjoying the Tractor Train ride, they were free to play on the farm’s one of a kind play ground.  The playground included such a variety of activities that every child found something they enjoyed.  The playground area included a two story playhouse, a bubble wand station, a tractor, a cow milking station, slides and wooden animals.  The playground was a fabulous place for the children to use their imaginations and explore safely. 

Up next was the Corn Kernal Pit. Think of a ball pit made of hay barrels filled with corn kernals.  There were a few kids who went in and came right back out because the texture wasn’t appealing to them.  However, the fast majority of the children jumped and wiggled around with grins upon their faces.  After the Corn Kernal Pit we enjoyed a Hay Maze.  The hey maze was defiantly age appropriate for our preschoolers.  Being inside a barn in a large open space allowed the children to yell and run around. 

The final activity at the Thomasson farm for the day was an all around crowd pleaser; a petting zoo.  The farm had a few kittens, sweep, baby pigs, bunnies and a sleeping donkey.

Our group left the farm around noon.  We made it through all of the activities before the Washington skies opened up dropping rain, sleet and hail on our way home.  The field trip was a complete success because of the fabulous staff at the Thomasson Family Farm and because of our wonderful co-op families.  The children and adults alike had a memorable experience.  I was happy that Tyler was able to take a personal day from work and enjoy Issac's first field trip with us.  More fun memories ahead!