St. Louis 2009 Pumpkin Patches & Halloween Events050

It's that time of year again: The days are crisp, the leaves are a-turnin', and kids are jonesing for pumpkins patches and corn maze adventures. Where to head if you're a St. Louisan in need of great kids' Halloween activities?

One of our favorites: Eckert's Farm, which hosts all kinds of events throughout October, including Jumpin' Pumpkin Jamboree, apple picking, and hayrides. The Grafton and Millstadt locations get in on the seasonal fun, too!

Supporting a family-owned farm is a great way to get your fall fix. Locations abound around the St. Louis/St. Charles/Western Illinois areas: Boschert Family Farm, Centennial Farms and Orchard (its Farm Fun Land is great fun!), Thies Farm, Stuckmeyer's Farm Market, Valley Farms, and Lakeview Farms.

Local farmers markets are also a great place to pick up pumpkins, seasonal décor, and all kinds of yummy treats. Our favorites: Tower Grove Farmers Market, Clayton Farmers Market, and Kirkwood Junction.

The Great Godfrey Corn Maze is a great day destination: This year, the corn has been cut into two Renaissance-themed trails, and visitors can wile away the hours getting lost in the maze's twists, turns, dead-ends, and traps.

What's Halloween without bats, owls, snakes, spiders, and other creepy-cool critters? Boo at the Zoo Nights at the Saint Louis Zoo is perfect for little ones who might still be a tad wary of the spookier side of Halloween; it begins Oct 16. On October 17-18, the World Bird Sanctuary hosts its Fall Open House, featuring awesome animal encounters and all kinds of kids' activities. And, Halloween-themed "creature-feature shows" take center stage at Grant's Farm Halloween event.

Several regional county parks host festive hayrides and bonfire events: On October 2, join the Fall Family Hayrides & Bluegrass Concert at Cliff Cave Park or the Living History Hayrides at Sioux Passage Park. Another evening of Family Hayrides & Bluegrass Music takes place on October 9 at Creve Coeur Park; Fall Family Hayrides & Bluegrass Concert at Jefferson Barracks Park happens on October 17; October 23 brings Evening Hayrides & Music under the Stars at Lone Elk Park; and finally, Faust Historic Village hosts History Hayrides at Faust Park at the end of the month.

St. Charles treats kiddies to a special evening on October 30 when it hosts Trick or Treat on Main, followed by Halloween Children's Theatre.

Other events worth marking on the calendar: Halloween Spooktacular with Bob Kramer's Marionnettes at the Museum of Transportation; Halloween Ghosts from the Past haunt Daniel Boone Home & Boonesfield Village; Spooky Stories at the Daniel Bissell House; Museum of Transportation's Halloween Pumpkin Party; Trick or Treats at the St. Louis Carousel; and finally, Halloween Spooktacular at Blanchette Park in St. Charles.

What seasonal activities are your family's favorites in the St. Louis-St. Charles area? Let us know by sending an email to stlouis@parentsconnect.com and we'll add it to our list here!