Visit Ya Ya Apple Orchard
Apple Harvest in Colorado
Fall is the peak season for apple harvesting in Colorado, giving families the chance to enjoy apples at their absolute freshest. From sweet Honeycrisp to tart Granny Smith, local orchards offer a delicious variety — and many let you sample apples right off the tree.
If you’re searching for the best apple picking in Longmont, Colorado, YA YA Farm & Orchard is a must-visit fall destination. This charming, family-owned orchard provides fresh, locally grown apples and an authentic Colorado harvest experience.
Surrounded by stunning Front Range mountain views and vibrant autumn colors, YA YA Farm & Orchard offers the perfect setting for family outings, seasonal traditions, and beautiful fall photos. With its relaxed farm atmosphere and family-friendly events, it’s an ideal place to create lasting Colorado fall memories. Address: 6914 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80503
Best Colorado Pumpkin Patches for Families
Beyond apple picking, the orchard hosts seasonal events and fall festivities that make it a fun and memorable experience for all ages. The open farm setting gives children space to explore while parents soak in the beauty of the season.
Cottonwood Farms
If you’re looking for the best pumpkin patch in Lafayette, Colorado, Cottonwood Farms is a must-visit fall destination for families in Boulder County. This locally loved farm offers a classic Colorado pumpkin patch experience with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels festive without being overwhelming — perfect for babies, toddlers, and young children.
Families can enjoy picking pumpkins straight from the field, exploring the straw bale maze, visiting the petting zoo, and taking scenic wagon rides. The on-site farm stand features local honey and seasonal treats, adding to the authentic farm charm.
Surrounded by crisp autumn air and beautiful fall colors, Cottonwood Farms provides the perfect backdrop for Colorado fall family photos, weekend outings, and meaningful seasonal traditions. It’s a wonderful place to slow down, soak in the season, and create lasting memories together.
Address: 10600 Isabelle Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Patch
This gives you the farm feel, but not too overwhelming with short attention spans (nap times, feeding time) of little ones. Cottonwood Farms features pumpkin patch, straw bale maze, petting zoo, wagon rides and local honey. Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Patch boasts organic farm stand, you pick pumpkin patch, kiddie rides and petting zoo. It creates beautiful memories and family traditions that you will cherish! Address: 9059 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80503
Classic Tradition of Carving Pumpkins
The image below is inspired by Norman Rockwell the all American great painter and illustrator that captures the human heart and emotion and classic holiday traditions.
The history of carving pumpkins is celebrated at the end of October, marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. During ancient time people would light bonfires and carve turnips or gourds. When Irish immigrants brought this tradition to America in the 19th century, they found that pumpkins, which were native to North America, were larger and easier to carve than turnips. Thus, the practice of carving pumpkins evolved into the Halloween tradition we know today!
The carved pumpkins, often referred to as “jack-o’-lanterns,” typically feature a face and are illuminated with candles or lights inside. This tradition has become a popular way to celebrate Halloween, with people creating intricate and creative designs to decorate their homes.
Classic Tradition of Lighting Pumpkin Lanterns
This image is inspired by Frederic Stanley “Halloween Scare 1935” by the Saturday Evening Post.
The history of pumpkin lanterns, also known as jack-o’-lanterns, is interesting since it blends a combination of cultural traditions. The Irish believe the tradition of carving lanterns from vegetables like turnips or beets a sale of “Stingy Jack” or “Jack of the Lantern” a trickster that would hollowed-out turnip to light his way. Irish Immigrants in America evolved this tradition to the more readily available pumpkin and added more intricate designs.
Create Fall Leaf Crowns for Children
A whimsical way to celebrate the fall season is during harvest time! Children can go on a walk gather leaves in a basket! This is a good time to ask your toddler questions what color, what size and shape are the leaves? It makes learning fun!
Parents can take a needle and thread and weave through the leaves and attach to a metal wire that is safe for kids. It can have an organic feel and an easy project so you little on can feel like a princess or prince in the enchanted forest for a day!
Colorado Fall Colors
For kids we teach good mental health health and value of the great outdoors by appreciating the seasons and walking in the Fall leaves and be grateful for the present moment! I love the practice of ”Forest Bathing”, also known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese, is a therapeutic practice that involves spending time in nature to connect with it through your senses. The goal is to be relaxing and observing the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch of the forest.
Trick or Treat in Colorado
Trick or treating is a classic Halloween tradition and is so fun for kids and parents to visit neighbors and receive candy. It’s a way to celebrate the season and enjoy the creativity of costumes. I love seeing kids dressing up in their favorite imaginative characters (dinosaurs, princess, super hero, animals, etc.).
Community Engagement: The practice fosters a sense of community. Neighbors interact with one another, often sharing not just candy but also seasonal greetings and a sense of camaraderie. Check with your local HOA and neighborhood for information about trick-or-treat!
The image below is inspired by Saturday Evening Post (John Falter’s ”Trick-or-Treating in the Burbs”). This is my version of ”Trick-or-Treating in the Country” in Todd Creek Farms, Brighton Colorado.
History Colonial American Influence: The tradition was brought to America by European immigrants. By the early 20th century, trick-or-treating had begun to take shape in the U.S
Cozy Family Time Watching Classic Harry Potter Movies
When the weather starts turning chilly and rainy what better thing to do than cozy up on the couch with the family and share the imagination and wonder of Harry Potter.
