Pumpkin patches and the salmon run with kids around Seattle

Late September through Halloween is pumpkin season, and also when the salmon come home to Issaquah. These are farms we'd actually take a toddler to: patches that aren't too big, hay bales and tractor rides, a kid-sized corn maze, and ideally animals to pet.

Closest to home is Serres Farm in Redmond, with no admission and pumpkins priced individually, perfect for a 2-year-old's first patch; Fox Hollow in Issaquah adds pony rides and a petting zoo. For the big production, drive to the Snohomish valley: Bob's Corn has several corn mazes and fresh cider donuts, and Craven Farm's hay-bale play area suits smaller kids. Remlinger Farms in Carnation is open daily in October, with pumpkins and rides on one ticket. Then don't miss the Issaquah hatchery, where thousands of salmon crowd the creek: a fall show only Seattle has.

• 6 places
• 2 free
• 3 stroller-friendly
• closest is 10 min away