Pumpkin Patches in Woodland Hills CA

The great pumpkin; the jack-o-lantern is actually a fruit and its connection to Halloween dates back to Celtic times and the phenomenon of a strange light that flickered over the peat bogs of Ireland.

Traditionally the top of the jack-o-lantern is cut off to form a lid, the inside flesh scooped out and an image (typically) a face is carved and a candle placed inside the pumpkin before the lid is closed.

It is a great tradition, but living in an apartment in Woodland Hills you might not want to take the time and mess to carve out a pumpkin or maybe you don’t want to light a candle, so here are some fun ideas for pumpkin decorating (without carving) and some great places to find pumpkins in Woodland Hills, CA.

Non Carving Pumpkin Ideas

Easy and fun, why not decorate your pumpkins like Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.  Mr. Potato Head parts can be purchased at Target, Toys R Us, Walmart and other stores nearby.  Just purchase a few pumpkins (or gourds) and decorate them with the parts for a playful, no knife needed Halloween idea.

Can’t make up your mind how to decorate your pumpkins this year; no problem, purchase some chalk board paint and cover the pumpkin.  Let it dry and draw faces, designs, messages or monsters on your pumpkin.  The best part is you can erase it and draw again.  Chalkboard paint can be purchased at most arts & crafts stores.again.  Chalkboard paint can be purchased at most arts & crafts stores.

Candy Corn, to me nothing says Halloween like Candy Corn (and yes, I am ignoring that it can be bought year round now).  Invented in the 1880s and called chicken feed, it had no association with Halloween until after WWII.  Why not fill your candy jar with this treat and paint your pumpkins to resemble candy corns.  Use spray paint to create this great effect.  You can either tape the sections or if you have a steady hand, free paint.

Bedazzle or paint and cover your pumpkins with gems for a quick and festive look.  Beads and embellishments can be found at your local craft store.  For extra pizazz, paint the pumpkin black or eggplant and the stem silver.

Pumpkin Patches Near Woodland Hills

Now that you have these great pumpkin decorating ideas, where can you find pumpkin patches in or near Woodland Hills?

Here is a list.

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch

10100 Jefferson Blvd.
Culver City
Dates: Oct. 2–31 from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri. & Sat. and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Free on weekdays. Weekends $3/child,$5/adult.

Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch

Locations in Culver City and Santa Monica.
Dates: Check website for hours at each location.
Cost: Free admission. Tickets for rides and games ($3-$9) sold separately.
Online: shawnspumpkinpatch.com

Live Oak Canyon Ranch

Live Oak Canyon Rd. at the 10 Freeway
Yucaipa
Dates: Sep. 20-Nov. 2; hours vary.
Cost: Free on weekdays. Weekends in October are $3/person.
Online: pumpkins.liveoakcanyon.com

Calabasas Pumpkin Festival

3701 Lost Hills Road, Callabasas

Dates: October 17th and 18th
Cost: $5.00
Online:http://www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com/