Johnson Brothers – Irvine

"Favorite pumpkin patch"

This converted dirt lot is our family's favorite pumpkin patch.  The admission is free and the activities are free or cheap.  Country music and blowing bubbles make me feel happy and carefree and my kids love climbing on the hay loft, ringing the triangle bell and punching the bounce bags.  They always grab a red wagon and pull each other around the pumpkin piles and then I make them stop to smile for one more adorable picture.  

There are so many free activities that you really can visit for completely free and have a great time.  We usually pay for the 2 tickets for a bounce house jump because the attendants are kind and not ultra strict about the time limit unless it's really crowded.  Inside the bounce house area, shade structures and chairs await tired parents and I so appreciate that thoughtfulness!  Pumpkins are for sale, as well as other decorations and treats, but if you can convince your kids to enjoy the cheaper, grocery store versions, you can escape without a costly orange globe.

Free activities:
Climbing hay loft and tunnel, with triangle bell to ring
Plastic climbing preschool structures and small slides
Punching bags
"Land of the Giants" area of enormous pumpkins to see
Barnyard animal enclosure (food for purchase)
Indian tepees to explore

Ticketed activities (Prices from 2011: Tickets $1 each)
Pumpkin graveyard (somewhat spooky... mostly fun): 1 ticket
Bounce houses (3 to choose from and rotate amongst): 2 tickets
Pony rides: 5 tickets
Party area available for reservation.  Call (714) 891-7456

This year, I convinced my younger children to take a ride on the ponies.  None of my children have ever ridden a pony before and I promised myself I would not leave the pumpkin patch without one of them riding a pony first.  It was the highlight of my week, watching my 5 and 2 year old bouncing around the circle on the little ponies.  My little girl kept saying, "Mom, these horses is so funny!"