Fall is a fun time of the year for families because there are so many festive events and activities to experience together. Pumpkin patches are especially popular right now because they’re exciting for kids, offer excellent photo opportunities, and can help you decorate your home with seasonal décor. And if you don’t have time to take your kids to a pumpkin patch this year, our nanny services can help your little ones pick a pumpkin and enjoy the beauty of the season.
Choose a Great Pumpkin Patch
The first step for how to pick a pumpkin is to find a pumpkin patch near you to visit. Although you may be able to buy pumpkins at your local grocery store or farm stand, a pumpkin patch offers many more opportunities for fun, such as corn mazes, haunted barns, hayrides, and delicious treats. A quick internet search should pull up pumpkin patches in your area, or browse local newspapers or blogs for ideas. As you make your choice, check local pumpkin patches’ admission fees, hours of operation, and what activities they offer for kids and adults.
Decide What Kind of Pumpkin You Want
Contrary to popular belief, not all pumpkins are big, round, and orange! Introduce your kids to the different kinds of pumpkins to spark their creativity. Pumpkins can have bumpy skin, deep ribs, and come in various colors, such as white, yellow, and green. Consider getting one larger traditional-looking pumpkin to decorate or carve and then several smaller and more unique pumpkins if you want to decorate your home with a nature-inspired display.
Check for Pumpkin Quality
However, there is more to picking out a great pumpkin than just the vegetable’s color and texture. Pay attention to the pumpkins’ stems and choose ones that are dark green and firm, rather than brown or very dry. Also, never carry a pumpkin by the stem because if it breaks off, it will cause water loss and not last as long.
The next tip for how to pick a pumpkin is to choose one that feels firm and that doesn’t have soft spots. Also, avoid pumpkins that have cuts and scrapes if you’re looking for your pumpkin to last for a long time. Pumpkins should sound hollow when you knock on them, and a louder echo sound means a healthier pumpkin.
Enlist the Help of a Nanny
Going to a pumpkin patch in the fall is a beloved tradition for many families, but not all parents and caregivers are able to enjoy this luxury. Live-in nannies can help keep these traditions alive by showing your kids how to pick a pumpkin and celebrate the season in festive ways. These domestic professionals are experts in coordinating children’s activities and keeping little ones entertained, engaged, and learning every day. A live-in nanny, full-time nanny who lives outside the home, or part-time nanny can guide your kids as they decorate and carve pumpkins that they pick out from the pumpkin patch too.
If now is the right time to bring a new nanny into your home and your children’s lives, contact Household Staffing International today. We have been connecting families with professional nannies since 1974 and know what it takes to find a great match. You can reach our placement specialists by phone at 212-683-7722, by email at info@hsiny.com, or by filling out our family application.