We love Tanaka Farms! It’s organic, educational, healthy, and we get to sample various produces on the wagon tour – what’s not to love? Although we try every year to attend at least one (or all) of their seasonal famous tours (see also Strawberry and Watermelon), let’s face it – it’s not cheap.
Form a Play Group
We all know that they have group rates, but how do we gather up enough interest? Even if we invited all our family members, what if they don’t have kids? (You’ll need at least 10 paying kids to qualify).
HOT TIP: Form a Play Group with kids around the same age.
Go to Back-to-School Night, meet the other parents, and form a network. Your kids are spending a lot of time with these kids all year round so you want to create opportunities for them to socialize outside of school and homework. See my recent post about “How to Form a Play Group to Save Money” to see how easy it is.
- Invite Families from School
- Invite your Neighbors
- Invite Families with Kids
- Invite Family
Overcome Commitment Challenges
Ok now that you develop an interested group, getting families to commit can be a bit of a challenge. What now? Create an online event and make it easy to RSVP via evite.com or facebook.com. I like Facebook because who isn’t on FB these days, but then again, I met a few recently that doesn’t – hmmm…
The Pumpkin Patch Tour is slightly different than the Strawberry and the Watermelon. It’s different because YOU are the Tour Guide for your group. Have a game plan, an itinerary, and bring water because you’ll be thirsty. Plan to be there at least a couple of hours. The best part is you can go at your own pace. I remember last year after we checked-in, we all made a bathroom stop, took group pictures while we waited, and everyone was good to go. Some don’t make it all the way to the end because of tantrums, etc, but it’s ok. Don’t worry about that. After you make your group reservation, Tanaka Farms will email you with instructions. Print that out and your RSVP list and you’re good to go.
We love the Pumpkin Patch Tour and we love the group rates because we’re saving some money while we’re having fun. The group rates are $6 per adult, $12 per child, kids 2 and under are free. It includes:
| U-Pick Vegetables |
- Wagon Ride – $5 ages 2 and under free
- Petting Zoo – $3 ages 2 and under free
- Corn Maze – No Charge
- U-Pick Vegetables – $2.99 a pound
- U-Pick Pumpkins – Sliding Scale by the lb
- Games, Arts and Crafts, Food (Weekends only)
- Snacks,
- Hand Sanitizers,
- Bottled Water,
- Comfortable shoes (no open-toed shoes or flip flops)
- Sunblock, and
- Hats – shade is limited on the farm.
- Check-In
- Bathroom Breaks while they wait for the rest
- Group Pictures
- Wagon Ride
- Petting Zoo
- U-Pick Pumpkins
- Optional: U-Pick Vegetables (Even though I love this part but some kids don’t last that long. Pick pumpkins if that’s the last thing you do).
- Optional: Corn Maze
- Optional: Games, Arts, and Crafts
We did the math, there are definitely some savings there and the best part is creating a fun tradition with your family and friends. PLUS you get a pumpkin included in the children’s price. Note: there is no weight limit but child must carry their own without adult assistance.
School and Group Tours: To make a group reservation of 10 or more paying children, please call (949) 653-2100 Ext. 204. Reservations are necessary to qualify for group rates. The least crowded times are between 11am-5pm. Please book your times early.
What to Pack:
| Corn Maze |
Suggested Itinerary:
LARGE Pumkin Raffle Every Hour
2012 Pumpkinmania Giant Pumpkin
Weigh-off and Contest
8 am – 12:30 pm
2012 SCHEDULE
8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Registration of entries
11:30 a.m. Final weigh-off
12:00-12:30 p.m. Awards ceremony and thanks!