Pumpkin Picking in the City

You've already got some great suggestions for the actual farm atmosphere. However, if you were thinking of within city limits, the Chicago Park District (http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/) hosts Pumpkin Patch events at various park locations - an urban pumpkin patch experience. They often have a petting zoo, prepicked pumpkins set out for kids to choose, various activities. In no way is it like some of the places already mentioned but just another option. I don't know where you live but there's one on Sat, Oct 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kenwood Park in the Hyde Park/Kenwood area.

http://pumpkinfarm.com/

Bengston's Pumpkin Farm. We went yesterday with my 1 and 2 year olds, and they had a blast. They got to feed goats, cows, deer, llamas, camels even a kangaroo. There were pony rides, four regular rides geared toward little kids, a pig race show, a ton of other farm animals to look at, a wagon ride, rabbit farm and of course pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. we went when they opened on Sunday before it got busy. I would recommend that or going during the week because it clearly gets pretty crowded, but it was a great experience for my girls. Hope this helps.

Hey J.,
I highly, highly, highly recommend making the half hour or so trek out to Sunny Acres Farm in West Chicago. We used to go there every year to celebrate our son's birthday and it is totally awesome. Food, hay rides, pony rides, pumpkins, carnival rides, haunted house and there is no cost to enter. Check it out!
http://www.sonnyacres.com/
29W 310 North Avenue
West Chicago, IL 60185
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things to do; http://www.sonnyacres.com/things_to_do.htm
blessings,
J.

I haven't been there yet but have heard great things about Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch in South Barrington, IL. They have pumpkins, petting zoos, hayrides, and many other activities for the family!
http://www.pumpkinfarms.com/SBarrington.html
It is about 30 miles from Chicago.
We are headed out there this weekend and are hoping to have a lot of fun:)

Hi J.,

Check out my website, www.kidwinks.com - you can use the Events Calendar to find many fall activities for the kids, or the Ongoing Activities section to find more fun. Here's the link to many pumpkin farms in the Chicago area, some have reviews by other parents: http://www.kidwinks.com/FamilyFun/OutdoorKidsActivities/P...
If you become a member of kidwinks, which is free, you can then sort this list of pumpkin farms (or any other search results, for that matter) in order of distance from your house.
Kidwinks also has a great Kids Eat Free Calendar in the Restaurants section, where you can click on a day to find out where kids eat free.

Hope this helps.

J.