Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Hayrides @ Holiday Farms in South Carolina

Make plans to visit Holiday Farms Great Pumpkin Patch in Ridgeland SC.

Holiday Farms Great Pumpkin Patch in Ridgeland SC.
Dates/Hours:
Sept. 30-Oct. 29 2023
Thursday-Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 12-6

CLOSED Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays

Military Appreciation Day ~ Sat. Oct. 7. Admission is half price on this one day only for those with valid military ID and their immediate family. Please make plans to come spend the day with us!

Learn more about Holiday Farms here.

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Holiday Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Poppell Farms

Come start – or continue – fall family traditions at Poppell Farms.

Hayrides, pumpkin patch, farm fun, & of Reba-themed 10-acre maze – Poppell Farms in Odum Ga. near Jesup, has it all.

Poppell Farms in Odum Ga. is now open for fall weekends through October. Enjoy giant bubbles, animals at their petting zoo, apple-cider slushies, pumpkin hunting.

So very much worth the drive from Savannah. Get to Poppell Farms this October.

Learn more here.

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Poppell Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Farm Day, Oct. 21, @ Red Gate Farms

Red Gate Farms in Savannah will now offer monthly Farm Days. The next one will take place Sat. Oct. 21 from 9AM-2PM.

Enjoy farm animals, games, pony rides, horsemanship skills, seasonal craft. For ages 6-12. Pack a snack & lunch.

Cost: $175 per child.

Register online here.

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Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours @ Red Gate Farms, Savannah

Red Gate Farms in Savannah offers horse-drawn carriage tours starting @ $150 for up to six guests.

A 45 – 60 minute tour of the property. Perfect for all ages.

Bring your own snacks and beverages, or let Red Gate Farms cater to you.

Learn more here.

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Red Gate Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Holiday Farms The Great Pumpkin Patch 2020, Ridgeland SC

Holiday Farms’ 13th annual THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH will be open for the 2020 season from Oct. 2-31 2020.

Live pig races. Wagon rides, farm fun & pumpkins.

Oct. 2-31 2020, Holiday Farms will be open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9AM-6PM and Sundays Noon-6PM.

Live music by the Nautical Wheelers on Saturdays 11AM-3PM and Sundays 1-4PM.
Concessions Thursdays-Sundays 11AM-5PM.

Stay connected about other events at Holiday Farms by liking their Facebook page here.

Holiday Farms, 10884 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland, SC 29936, (843) 726-5527, email holidayfarms@yahoo.com
www.holidayfarmssc.com  Holiday Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Holiday Farms The Great Pumpkin Patch 2020, Ridgeland SC

This favorite seasonal farm and pumpkin patch will open for the 2020 Fall Season. Please note the following open dates and times are for THIS SEASON ONLY.

Opening Day: Oct. 2 2020

Oct. 2-31 2020, Holiday Farms will be open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9AM-6PM and Sundays Noon-6PM.

Military Appreciation Day: Oct. 3 2020. Half price admission for immediate family with military ID.

Live music by the Nautical Wheelers on Saturdays 11AM-3PM and Sundays 1-4PM.
Concessions Thursdays-Sundays 11AM-5PM.

Spend a day on Holiday Farms enjoying: Jumppad, Bounce house, Haytona Speedway, Duck Race, Cow Milking, Steer Roping, Corn Grinding, Barnyard Zoo, Barrel Racing and, of course, a hayride to the pumpkin patch. And our personal favorite, Pigtucky Derby (pig races).

*Group Field Trips (perfect for schools, churches, daycares, company picnics, birthday parties, and more) may call to book your trip. Call 843-726-5527
*Groups of 100 or more may reserve the farm for your group only on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays…First Come, First Served! Call 843-726-5527

COVID Restrictions will be posted closer to opening date. Holiday Farms will follow all required state mandated guidelines. There are 40 acres to play outside on. You are welcome to bring wipes, masks, and social distance all you would like to regardless of what may be required at that time.

Call 843-726-5527 to reserve your date now.

Stay connected about other events at Holiday Farms by liking their Facebook page here.

Holiday Farms, 10884 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland, SC 29936, (843) 726-5527, email holidayfarms@yahoo.com
www.holidayfarmssc.com  Holiday Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

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UPDATE: Winner is Joanna Gearing!

This week Poppell family farms – the 10-acre corn maze & activity-packed farm & pumpkin patch in Odum about six miles from Jesup – is giving away a family four pack of tickets to a lucky SouthernMamas.com reader.

Poppell Family Farms grand opening for the 2015 Fall season is Saturday Oct. 3.

To enter to win FOUR tickets to Poppell Farms, go to Poppell Farms on Facebook & comment there about your favorite thing to do at Poppell Farms. For those who haven’t visited the farm yet, comment about your favorite thing to do during fall ( Need hints? Check out our FALL FUN GUIDE 2015 by clicking here).

THEN SHARE THE GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT FACEBOOK POST on your Facebook page.

Please say SouthernMamas.com sent you.

We will pick winner by 11 PM this Sun. Sept. 27 & announce it here & on the SouthernMamas.com Facebook page. So please check back to find out if you entered to win.

Corn Maze Design for Fall 2015

Poppell Farm’s Fall 2015 10-acre corn maze design depicts country music singer/song writer and south Georgia native Cole Swindell.

Hours

Poppell Farms is open on Sundays, too, for those whose Saturdays are packed with kids’ sporting events.

Sat. Oct. 3-Sun. Nov. 1, 2015
10 AM-5 PM Saturdays
Noon-5 PM Sundays

Tickets. For ticket prices, click here. 

For Poppell Farms Special Events during Fall 2015, click here. 

Poppell Farms, email popfarms1@windstream.net , (912) 586-2215, 1765 Hyma Poppell Loop, Odum, 31555 . On Facebook here. Poppell Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

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FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA FALL EVENTS, VISIT OUR SAVANNAH FALL FUN GUIDE 2015 HERE. 

The 8th annual THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH opens from Oct. 1 -Oct. 31 2015 @ Holiday Farms in nearby Ridgeland, SC, about 1 hour from Savannah.

Spend a day on Holiday Farms enjoying: Bounce house, Haytona Speedway, Duck Race, Cow Milking, Steer Roping, Corn Grinding, Barnyard Zoo, and of course a hayride to the pumpkin patch. And our personal favorite, Pigtucky Derby (pig races).

For more details, check Holiday Farms  website by clicking here.

Holiday Farms is now booking field trips for The Great Pumpkin Patch. If you are looking for a fun-filled trip for your school, church group, daycare, scout group, or any other kind of group, you have found the place to go. Book your trip now as dates are filling fast. You may reach Holiday Farms by phone at 843-726-5527 or email holidayfarms@yahoo.com.

Hours

Monday – Thursday: 9AM – 2PM
Friday – Saturday: 9AM – dark (last wagon ride leaves at 6 pm)
This season Fall 2015, Holiday Farms will be open Sundays from 1-5PM INCLUDING SUNDAY NOV. 1

Entertainment Oct. 31

On Saturday Oct. 31 Live Music from 11-5 by Nautical Wheelers and Harry Santana

Open Sat. Oct. 31 9AM to Dark (Last hayride at 6PM)

Open Sun. Nov. 1 from 1-5PM

Pig Race Schedule
Monday – Thursday 11AM and 1PM
Friday – Saturday 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM

Prices
$10 Admission per person
*Price includes all activities, games, wagon ride, and a pumpkin*

*Schools, Churches, Scouts and other groups of 20 or more, please call for discount group pricing.*

Concessions and Entertainment available on Saturdays only.

Family owned and operated since 2008.

Stay connected about other events at Holiday Farms by liking their Facebook page here.

Military Day

Sat. Oct. 10 2015 will be Special Military Day. Half price admission to active duty military, spouses, children with proper military ID.

Holiday Farms, 10884 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland, SC 29936, (843) 726-5527, email holidayfarms@yahoo.com
www.holidayfarmssc.com  Holiday Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

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FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA FALL EVENTS, VISIT OUR SAVANNAH FALL FUN GUIDE 2015 HERE. 

The 7th annual THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH opens from Oct. 1 -Oct. 31 2014 @ Holiday Farms in nearby Ridgeland, SC, about 1 hour from Savannah.

Spend a day on Holiday Farms enjoying: Bounce house, Haytona Speedway, Duck Race, Cow Milking, Steer Roping, Corn Grinding, Barnyard Zoo, and of course a hayride to the pumpkin patch. And our personal favorite, Pigtucky Derby (pig races). New this year: 1.5 acre maze!

For more details, check Holiday Farms  website by clicking here.

Holiday Farms is now booking field trips for The Great Pumpkin Patch. If you are looking for a fun-filled trip for your school, church group, daycare, scout group, or any other kind of group, you have found the place to go. Book your trip now as dates are filling fast. You may reach Holiday Farms by phone at 843-726-5527 or email holidayfarms@yahoo.com.

Military Day

Sat. Oct. 4 2014 will be Special Military Day when all active duty military, spouses, and children will receive 50% off admission with proper ID.

Hours

Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 2 pm
Friday – Saturday: 9 am – dark (last wagon ride leaves at 6 pm)
Holiday Farms is closed on Sundays

Pig Race Schedule:
Monday – Thursday 11 am and 1 pm
Friday – Saturday 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm

Concessions and Entertainment available on Saturdays only.

Family owned and operated since 2008.

Stay connected about other events at Holiday Farms by liking their Facebook pagehere.

Holiday Farms, 10884 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland, SC 29936, (843) 726-5527, email holidayfarms@yahoo.com
www.holidayfarmssc.com  Holiday Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

It’s almost time to make your annual fall family pilgrimage to that mecca of agritainment – Poppell Farms, the 10-acre corn maze labyrinth, Linus-approved pumpkin patch & activity-packed farm in Odum about six miles from Jesup.

Poppell Farms grand opening for the 2014 Fall season is 10 AM-5 PM Saturday Oct. 4.

In honor of Paula Deen, the 2014 Poppell Farms corn maze features a likeness to Savannah’s ultimate Southern Mama. Paula Deen & her family will make a personal appearance at Poppell Farms on Oct. 5. You’re invited to visit the farm & meet her. Stay updated about what time she’ll be at the farm by following Poppell Farms on Facebook here.

At Poppell Farms, you can take a covered hayride to visit characters dressed as Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Linus to pick out a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch; ride the cow train; feed animals in the petting farm including a goat walk; try steer roping, Spyder Slyder slide & the all-time kids’ favorite, the popular crop hopper, which is giant jumping air pillow that has kids giggling upon their first bounce. There are also tractor & pony rides. 

New this year:  Jumping Pillow No. 2; Corn Hole; & the Pipe Racers/Harvest Roller (pictured to the right)

Special 2014 events each weekend including:
* Oct 4: Grand Opening.
* Oct. 5: Personal Appearance by Paula Deen & her family. You’re invited to visit the farm & meet her.
* Oct. 11: Girl Scout & Safety Day with emergency, fire and police vehicles on display.
* Oct. 18. Boy Scout Day.
* Oct 25: Halloween Party & Costume Contest begins at 2 PM.
Special events will be added throughout fall. Check for updates here.

For admission costs, click here. The farm is @ 1765 Hyma Poppell Loop, Odum, 31555.
For info or to make reservations, call 912.586.2215 or click here.

Corn Maze

Poppell’s corn maze is intricate network of twists and turns carved into 10 acres of corn. It opens Oct. 4 2014. Though the correct pathway can be walked in only 15 minutes, most wandering maze-goers will require about one hour to travel through more than three miles of twists, turns and decision points.

PICNIC AREAS are available for use, so bring your own food or visit Poppell Farms’ CALF-A CONCESSION STAND for hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage dogs, chicken sandwiches & fries. Candy, popcorn & treats available.

For admission costs, directions or more information please visit the farm’s website www.poppellfarms.com , email popfarms1@windstream.net or call (912) 586-2215.

HOURS

Poppell Farms is open on Sundays, too, for those whose Saturdays are packed with kids’ sporting events.
2014 Fall Season Schedule
Sat. Oct. 4-Sun. Nov. 2, 2014
10 AM-5 PM Saturdays
Noon-5 PM Sundays

Friday & Saturday Night Activities beginning 10/4/14 5pm – 10pm
Petting Farm
6 & under Playground
Jumping Pillows 1 & 2
Cow Train Rides
Duck Races
Spyder Slider
Cornfield Maze (Flash Light Nights, Kid Friendly – Not Haunted)
*(Hayride, Pony Rides and Fish Pond Closed)*

New for 2014

Beginning on Friday 10/10 and running every Fri. & Sat. Night through 10/25

THE FRIGHTFUL FOREST – Presented by: Turning Point Worship Center

This is a Christian based 800 foot walking trail through the woods with real life, in your face terrifying scenes. An alternative to traditional Haunted Houses or Trails. A wake-up call……is this the life you are living? Which path are you walking? You will have lots of fun but when you leave we want to give you something to think about. Recommended for ages 12 & older.

Poppell Farms, email popfarms1@windstream.net , (912) 586-2215, 1765 Hyma Poppell Loop, Odum, 31555 . On Facebook here. Poppell Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

FOR MORE SIMILAR FALL OUTINGS, VISIT OUR FALL FUN GUIDE 2014 BY CLICKING HERE. 

Growing pumpkins in humid Coastal Georgia is challenging. But Madrac Farms in Effingham County is making it happen.

This October, come visit this real pumpkin patch & enjoy the 5-acre corn maze, hayrides & other fall fun at this Rincon farm on Ralph Rahn Rd.

Madrac Farms grows the Orange Bulldog pumpkin, a new variety of pumpkin developed by the University of Georgia, which is specifically designed to grow in South Georgia’s humid climate. The farm also has other test varieties of orange & white pumpkins. Learn more about Madrac Farms here.

Farm Activities

Opening Thursday Oct. 2 2014 at 10 AM through Nov. 1. 10 AM-4 PM Thursdays; 10 AM-6 PM Fridays & Saturdays.

Petting farm
Feed goats, chickens, Hazel the pot-belly pig. Animal feed is .50 cents.

Big Slide & Bouncy House
New this year: the big slide. Enjoy zipping down this 13-foot wooden slide on a potato sack. Kids can go alone or have parents ride with them.

Pumpkin Pickin‘
Choose from red, brown, Cinderella, white or traditional Orange.

Hay Rides
With 2 hay rides running almost all the time, you’ll never have to wait in line! Take a 10 minute ride through the Georgia woods & you may see deer, hawks, squirrels, rabbits even snakes

Corn Maze
5 acres – not too big, not too small. Kids can see if they can beat their friends through the maze in record time. Just right for the little ones & bigger kids, too.

BIG Pumpkin
Weighing in at over 100 lbs this pumpkin is sure to be your number #1 destination for photos.

Admission

$7 per person ages 3-59.
Ages 2 & younger are FREE with paying adult.
60 & older qualify for a senior citizen discount at $5 per person.
Military discount applies for active & retired military & veterans with proper I.D. $2 discount for all military & their families.
This price includes admission only which covers all of the above farm activities including the corn maze & hayrides (except animal feed for .50 cents). Drinks, food, pumpkins are extra. You aren’t required to purchase a pumpkin.

Extra charge for pony rides, face painting & other activities from vendors at the farm.

Food & beverages for sale, but you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the farm’s picnic area.

Field Trips

Madrac Farms is now scheduling Field Trips for PUMPKIN PATCH 2014. Learn more here.
Discounted group rates do apply when you bring a certain amount of people to the farm during events.

Madrac Farms, 580 Ralph Rahn Rd Rincon, Ga. On Facebook here ,(912) 704-7651, email melissa@madracfarms.com www.madracfarms.com, Madrac Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

This summer Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah offers enhanced programming. No pre-registration required for either program.

Bird of Prey (Hunters of the Sky) Wednesdays at 11:30 AM  June 11-July 30 2014

This 45 minute raptor interpretive program offers an inspiring way to learn about birds of prey including falcons, hawks and owls. You will get a close encounter with a few of our glove trained raptors such as: Womack the peregrine falcon, Hunter the red tailed hawk, Wahoohoo the barred owl and Icarus the screech owl. You will learn how each of these animals came to live at Oatland Island Wildlife Center and the unique characteristics that allow them to survive and prosper.

Program prices Adults: $7
Children 4 – 18, seniors, and active military: $5
Children 3 and under: free
Friends of Oatland Members: $2

Live Creature Feature on Fridays at 11:30 AM June 13-Aug. 1 2014

Each week we feature some of our reptilian and mammalian friends in a 45 minute live animal encounter. Learn about the unique characteristics of each organism and how they survive and some of the challenges they face living in our human environment.

Program prices
Adults: $7
Children 4 – 18, seniors, and active military: $5
Children 3 and under: free
Friends of Oatland Members: $2

For non-Friends of Oatland Members, this fee includes your admission to the Wildlife Center. While Friends of Oatland Members generally enjoy free admission to the Wildlife Center, enhanced programming always requires an additional fee. All proceeds benefit the animals of Oatland Island Wildlife Center.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah, 31410 tel: (912) 395-1212
http://www.oatlandisland.org

Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Wildlife and education programs
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA, 31410
(912) 395-1212

Admission rates & driving directions here.

Toddler Tuesdays at Oatland Island Wildlife Center.
Programs are at 10 AM & 11 AM on Tuesdays each week . Pre-registration required. Call 395-1500

Toddler Tuesday Program Fees for 2013:
General: $5 per child $5 per adult
Friends of Oatland Members: $5 per child, up to 2 adults FREE!

Program fee includes program and entrance to Oatland Island Wildlife Center and trails.

Toddler Tuesday Topics

If you are new to the Savannah area or are a new parent, then you need to check out Toddler Tuesdays, a fun weekly program that celebrates nature @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410.

At Toddler Tuesday, children & their parents/caretakers experience nature through themed activities including live animal encounters, wildlife nature walks, storytelling, songs, interactive finger-play & crafts.

Oatland’s naturalist Michelle Kelly leads these exciting & educational sessions.

NEW TIMES: 10 AM & 11 AM

Admission rates & driving directions here.

Toddler Tuesdays Programs sare at 10 AM & 11 AM on Tuesdays each week . Pre-registration required. Call 395-1500

Toddler Tuesday Program Fees: General: $5 per child $5 per adult Friends of Oatland Members: $5 per child, up to 2 adults FREE!

Program fee includes program and entrance to Oatland Island Wildlife Center and trails.

FOR UPCOMING TODDLER TUESDAY THEMES, CLICK HERE.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

Free admission to Georgia Buffalo Ranch on Family Fun Day, 10 AM-5 PM Sat. April 5 2014. There are fees for concessions, buggy tours  & hay rides.

Georgia Buffalo Ranch is open to the public. Bring the kids out to the Georgia Buffalo Ranch to take a ranch tour, feed the buffalo or visit the Trading Post, meet Belle the Donkey & her buddy Donkey.
Spring 2014 Hours for the Georgia Buffalo Ranch & Trading Post.
Wednesday – Friday ~ 10am – 4pm
Saturday’s ~ 10am – 5pm

Georgia Buffalo Ranch, 11495 US Hwy 17, Townsend, Ga 31331 tel: (855) 242-2833 email GeorgiaBuffalo@gmail.com , www.GeorgiaBuffalo.com

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, VISIT OUR FREE SPRING 2014 EVENTS PAGE BY CLICKING HERE.

The Sandbox Children’s Museum and Lawton Stables , both on Hilton Head Is., invite you & your family to “Sandbox at the Stables” this Labor Day.

Everyone is invited to this community celebration on Labor Day Monday, September 1 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Lawton Stables, located inside Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Is. (about a 1 hr drive from Savannah).

This event will include: Music, Pony rides, hayrides and the animal farm, The Sandbox’s Imagination Hour, craft projects and mobile interactive museum exhibits A pitching radar Kids Zone’s inflatable water slides and bounce houses Cappy the Clown Face painting Family activities like bocce ball, frisbee, ring toss, horse shoes and corn hole  

There will be concessions available for purchase and refreshments including, snow cones and cotton candy.

Participants may bring their own picnic provisions and beverages.

Participants can purchase additional tickets for food, drinks and some activities.

Admission is $5 per person, children 12 months and under are free. LOTS OF FREE ACTIVITIES. (Plus $6 Sea Pines gate entrance fee per auto)

(The Sandbox at the Pope Avenue location will be closed on Labor Day)

Lawton Stables, 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928 tel: (843) 671-2586, www.lawtonstableshhi.com/

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Fairy & Gnome Festival
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
10 AM-2 PM Sat. April 13
Join Oatland Island Wildlife Center for a day of enchantment! This family-themed festival is all about the “wee folk” getting up close with the natural world and encouraging imaginative outdoor play. There will be a scavenger hunt, costume contest, crafts, and games. All ages are encouraged to participate in the annual gnome and fairy home building contest. Homes can be built at the festival by using natural materials from Oatland’s forest. Bring your whole family to stroll Oatland’s magical trails and maybe you will catch a glimpse of a fairy or gnome looking for a place to call home.

General Admission applies: $5 for adults, $3 for children, seniors and military.
Children 3 and under are free.
There will be addition fees for some activities.

For more information please call 912-395-1517 or click here. .

Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah. Details here.

Skidaway Is. State Park, Savannah. Details here.

The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum, Hilton Head Is., S.C. Open MLK Jr. Day 2013, 10 AM-5 PM.  Details here.

Lawton Stables, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head. Is. S.C. Lawton’s free animal farm includes goats, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, ponies, rabbits, a deer named Callie and a Clydesdale named Harley (who loves visitors bearing carrots and apples). Pony rides and horseback riding available for a fee. Details here.

South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston Harbor , S.C. Details here.

Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, Charleston, S.C. Details here. Join us to celebrate MLK, Jr. Day from
9am – 5pm! We’ll have a Peace Parade and more!

Museum of Science & History (MOSH) & The Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, Jacksonville, Fla. Details here.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Jacksonville, Fla.  Details here.

For our weekend daytrips suggestions to kid-friendly places near Savannah that are worth the drive, click here.

One of our favorite annual Fall events, the Halloween Hike at Oatland Wildlife Center in Savannah, is set for Oct. 19 & 20 2012.

It’s a fun, safe, not-so-scary event for little trick-or-treaters.

TIME: 5-8:30 PM Oct. 19 & 20 2012

Walk with your trickster down our friendly forest trail to meet and gather goodies from our friendly animal characters.

Let Mother Earth show you the way and sit with Mother Goose as she tells her favorite rhymes. Face painting, spooky crafts, and many more monstrous activities await your arrival. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Details here.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

You’re invited to an outdoor family Labor Day event at an ideal spot on Hilton Head is.

The Sandbox Children’s Museum and Lawton Stables are excited about “Sandbox at the Stables,” their new community Labor Day event Monday, September 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. AT LAWTON STABLES, Sea Pines Resort. (The Sandbox physical location will be closed)

It will be day of family fun with live music, activities, shows, exhibits, and picnicking (feel to bring your own, but there will be concessions available).

$5 per person, children 12 months and under are Free. (Members Only-With each paid admission, you will receive 5 concession/activity tickets FREE)

Call the Sandbox (843-842-7645) by 4pm August 31st to get a FREE Sea Pines Gate pass for this event only, (otherwise $5 gate fee into Sea Pines will apply per vehicle). Lawton Stables is located at 190 Greenwood Dr  Hilton Head Island, SC 29928,

Here’s a fun family bike ride suggestion: the I-Spy-a-Critter Bike Ride on Hilton Head Is.

This creature feature ride is a 10-mile route perfect for kids because it’s a treasure hunt for the island’s collection of permanent “creatures” – an alligator statue, a peacock stained glass window, a giant pelican, dolphin door, heron and horse statue as well as a few live critters – a trio of macaws, a Clydesdale, ponies, goats and a deer.

To make the bike safari adventure semi-educational, have your little ones complete the nature rhymes we paired with “animal” sightings. Check out the ride here:

Toddler Tuesdays are back at Oatland Island Wildlife Center after a summer hiatus!

This season, there will be TWO Toddler Tuesdays timeslots each week, as opposed to one. Same topic and activities for each one. One program will be at 10 AM and the second at 11 AM.

Michele Mazzei, the beloved leader of the popular weekly programs, said the goal of having two sessions is to keep the classes small and intimate.

Preregistration via phone at 912.395.1500 $3 program fee per child and adults free!

The theme of Tues. Sept. 7 is Welcome Back Toddlers! and will feature a visit from Daisy, Oatland’s resident opossum.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center is located just outside Savannah. Click here for info.

Meet the star of the Lawton Stables’ animal farm in my Sunday newspaper column.

This four-legged darling is better than Bambi! Callie the fawn can bring children and deer hunters to their knees. Read all about the star of the Sea Pines petting farm on Hilton Head Is. here.

Summer’s end means the popular raptors flight show is back at  The Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q Ball Jr. Raptor Center in Statesboro.

The raptors flight show – with falcons, owls, hawks and more – is at 3 PM Saturdays, following a 2 PM reptile show, that includes insects, tree frogs, snakes and more. The flight show was on hiatus during summer.  

Other features of the Wildlife Education Center include a Discovery Trail which includes a opossum and skunk; a Habitat Walk includes a live bald eagle in her nest; 10 displays housing several live birds; a wetland preserve with ducks and wading birds, a playground; and “Discovery Logs” where kids can crawl inside and see encased ladybugs, grasshoppers, frogs, beetles and more.

Large groups, including school field trips, moms-tot groups and homeschool groups, can request a weekday raptors show. Call 912.478.0831.

The center also offers several birthday party packages that include the reptile show or bird show. There’s also a Birthday Overnight Camping Adventure.

The center is open 1- 5 PM  Saturdays during the school year. For more info, click here or call 912.478.0831.

Time to head to North Georgia to pick apples. Or, at least, partake in apple picking festivities.

The annual Apple Pickin Jubliee at Hillcrest Orchards in Ellijay – happening this upcoming weekend Sept. 19 &  20 and next weekend Sept. 26 & 27 –  has everything that you associate with autumn and farms: apple bobbing and corn shelling, cloggers and country bands, mule-drawn wagon rides, homemade fried apple pies and caramel apples, and, of course, pippin-picking from dwarf trees.

Kids can milk Buttercup, the farm’s milk cow; meet Barney the Talking Bull; watch a live bee demo; cheer on pigs racing toward an Oreo cookie; and compete in the John Deere Derby pedal tractor trike track. The farm is open all day, 9 am-6 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Click here for directions and more info.

Admission: $5. Separate $3 admission to petting farm.

All activities are available every weekend in October, too.

Only a few more chances remain for your child to get upclose and personal with an alligator, learn their habits and have pictures taken with a mouth-taped-tightly-shut gator.

We recently enjoyed the “Get to Know a Gator” program at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn Plantation on Hilton Head. The program from Gatorland features a live alligator and busts several myths about gators, including the legend about running zig-zag if a gator ever chases you. Apparently, you should just run. And never feed alligators.

The program is held several times every Thursday through Aug. 13: 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM and 2 PM. For cost info, click here.
For reservations, call 843.689.6767 ext 223.