If I’ve learned anything these past couple of months, it’s how to attend festivals with kids. It feels like a windstorm of kid-friendly festivals back to back to back! Don’t get me wrong; I love pumpkin patches, festivals, and all the holiday festivities. However, this year was a learning curve for us.
When we only had our daughter, festivals were a breeze! Anything from day festivals to night activities was easy peasy.
Now, with twin boys added to the mix, it’s like a whole new sport. And yes, I mean sport literally—running after toddler twin boys is a workout like never before.
Having little ones makes any experience much more memorable, whether that’s always a good thing is still undecided.
So, if you’re ready to learn some travel tips from a momma who took one too many learning curves, this is for you!
Family-Friendly Festivals – Do not always mean kids of all ages.
The first thing we had to learn this season is that just because an event says Family Friendly doesn’t always mean toddler-friendly. Be prepared to play tag with the other parent. Alternate who is doing the older activities and who is staying with the littles. Bring a stroller and some activities they like.
We always bring a tablet (if you just gasped right now, this blog is not for you), a mini basketball, books, dinosaurs or cars, and their favorite toy at the moment.
Our kids also love to walk, so we take them out of the stroller and walk around with them or play with the ball. Hindsight, we are absolutely getting anti-lost wristlets for our next festival. They seem to work like a charm. I will definitely keep you posted.
Even with both parents being their most attentive, it’s hard to keep an eye on three kids at once.
So, we are hoping that having these wristlets will make it easier to breathe during festivals and be more engaged with our kids rather than just in a state of fear we might lose them.
Always, always bring snacks – if allowed.
If your kids are anything like mine, they can always go for a snack. And, very much like the Snickers commercial—they aren’t themselves when they’re hungry.
Our best example of this is at our trunk or treat. This was the first year we let the boys walk through it—normally, they are in their stroller.
However, this year we decided it was time for them to learn to be patient. Looking back now, we should have brought snacks. Especially being around all that candy! We didn’t want them to fill up on candy all night—so instead, we were left with impatient, hungry toddlers.
But again, we couldn’t give up hope because our daughter was having the time of her life. She was Supergirl this year and loving every second.
The big takeaway here is to bring snacks and water. Give them something to enjoy while they are waiting in these slow-moving lines. This way, you don’t have to constantly be bent down pulling them back into line while they try to escape.
Bring sunscreen! Even to fall festivals.
When we went to the pumpkin patch this year, we had this pretty picture in our minds of a cool fall day, cloudy and comfortable.
Well, that’s not exactly how ours turned out. However, it was incredibly sunny, and we totally forgot sunscreen! So, word to the wise, always keep some in your diaper bag for easy application anywhere you go.
Mommas, caffeinate.
I run on coffee, and if it’s decaf, don’t even bring it my way. One thing I always do anytime we are about to head anywhere is grab some coffee. It’s almost like my parenting pre-workout. Taking your kids anywhere—festivals, Target, you name it—is always an adventure.
Don’t forget, mommas—you got this.
If it sounds like I’m complaining about our wild adventures this year, I’m not! Swear. I’m just trying to help you learn from my fumbles. Parenting is not always easy, nor perfect. It’s the most beautiful mess I’ve ever had the pleasure of taking part in. I love my three littles, I just wish there was a guide for moments like this!
So, that’s what I’m hoping my blog is for you. This is just one little chapter in hopefully a very good resource for new moms.
Our Top Two Fall Festivals 2023 for Festivals with Kids
Out of all of the festivals and events we have been to this year, if we had to pick only two to go back to they would have to be Hubbs Farm and the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. Our kids had a blast!
We are located in North Carolina, and this year, we did not venture too far outside of our home town. Next year, we are planning to explore further.
Hubbs Farm
Hands down the best pumpkin patch we have ever been to. When they said family friendly, they truly meant kids of all ages!
Their 2023 Fall Festival, Corn Maze, & Pumpkin Patch had everything we could think of! From a zip line that made my daughter feel like a superhero to a Hubb’s Express Train that my sons are still honk honking about!
They even had a Toddler Town! Yes, an entire section that was built for Toddlers. Absolutely precious.
From basketball hoops, food stations, giant slides, and Cranky the Combine- we spent hours there. If fall is your season, Hubbs Farm will be your new favorite place.
Cape Fear Botanical Gardens
Let me start by saying that I have one of the least green thumbs to have ever existed. So, normally, when ‘garden’ is in the name of an event, I know it’s probably not for me.
However, I must admit that Cape Fear Botanical Gardens will be somewhere we visit every year. We are even booking tickets for their upcoming Holiday Lights event. (This time, we’ll be better prepared).
Their Boo-Tanical event was adorable. They really made sure there was something for everyone.
With trick-or-treating stations throughout the garden, food trucks, hula-hooping tents, dance floors, a glow-in-the-dark chalk station, and even a coffee booth for parents, it was a trick-or-treating dream come true.
Skeletons were cleverly placed and named throughout the garden, providing a fun throwback delight for parents of all ages. Halloween-themed lights scattered among the trees and walkways.
In truth, my expectations were not high. But, with their giant tree hut and games around every corner, there is simply no way we couldn’t have enjoyed it.
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