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Barnyard
Party
Where to have fun
on the farm
d
true farmer, or has a farm where they can go and watch the grow-
ing process,” says Ruth Downey, co-owner of Downey’s. Not only PUDDICOMBE ESTATE
can kids enjoy a fruit platter with birthday cake, they can actually FARMS AND WINERY
see where the produce is grown, and even pick the strawberries, Winona, Ontario (905) 643-1015
raspberries and apples themselves. puddicombefarms.com
For Abbey Corbett’s seventh birthday party last summer at
This family farm is also is a train depot of historical trains, including
Springridge Farms in Milton, guests fed the goats, rode a pony,
Little Pudd, an agricultural touring train that once belonged to Crystal
walked around the hay maze and even petted a baby calf. “They
Beach Amusement Park, and single-domed and three-domed tank
were constantly captivated; there was no time to get bored,” says
cars built in the 1930s by the Chicago-based Union Tank Car Co.
Carla Corbett, a Toronto-based mom who highly recommends the
The good new is a train ride is included in its birthday party package
experience.
($125 for 10 children and two adults; $10 for each additional child).
Turns out kids are not the only ones who enjoy getting a fun rea-
There are also themed parties ($12 per child) for your princess or
son to spend a few hours outdoors. Many bbirthday drop-offs have
pirate wannabe. Campfire parties, popular among the tween set,
morphed into family outings where the adults pick strawberries,
includes roasting marshmallows and wieners in the early evening,
shop for fresh-baked goodies or just enjoy a beautiful day outdoors
going on a wagon ride and having karaoke fun. Winter birthday cel-
while waiting for their kids.
ebrants can still have an outdoor party even if their birthday falls
“Once, we hosted a party for a three-year-old girl who had invited
between January and April. Puddicombe’s winter birthday pack-
her grandparents, great grandparent, and aunts and uncles,” recalls
age ($150 for 10; $10 for each additional guest) includes a wagon
Geraldine Rounds of Rounds Ranch in Elmvale. “They wanted to
ride, a visit with the winter farm animals, a campfire, hot dogs and
learn everything about farming, what we did to grow crops and raise
marshmallow roast, hot chocolate and a birthday cake. And while
animals; the adults were just so excited to be in a working farm.”
the kids chow down on pizza and hotdogs, adults can enjoy wine
The good news is you don’t have to drive deep into the country-
and cheese on the side (Country Mouse City Mouse Cheese Trays
side to enjoy a celebratory pause. There are several working farms
from $24.95; adult wine tasting, $1 per guest). “Parents who used
around the GTA that offer birthday packages. In the city you can
to be afraid of their children getting dirty or wet are becoming more
host a party with a country twist at Riverdale Farms. Most offer a
aware of how to experience the beauty of the outdoors again,”
range of outdoor activities geared towards kids aged three to eight
says Kim Seager, farm recreation director.
years, with alternate activities for rainy days. And party food can be
served nut-free upon request. Be sure to dress for the weather:
sunscreen and hats for a hot summer’s day and raincoats and SPRINGRIDGE FARMS
boots if there are dark clouds in the horizon. Milton, Ontario (905) 878-4908
springridgefarm.com
Elisha Corbett turned five when she had
WHITTAMORE’S FARM her birthday party here; now age 14, she
East Markham, Ontario (905) 294-3275 still thinks it was one of her “best birth-
whittamoresfarm.com day parties ever.” Located along the
The Singing Chicken Show, an automated puppet Niagara Escarpment, guests are taken on a scenic wagon tour of
show that sings and shares chicken facts and jokes the escarpment as part of their birthday packages ($180 plus GST
every 10 minutes, is a favourite attraction at this 205-year-old family for up to eight children; $11 plus GST for each additional guest).
farm. Kids can also enjoy climbing the 1950s tractor or going on a They can also follow a corn trail, jump in the haystacks, visit farm
Tractor Tire Climb. Other activities include a wagon ride, hiking up animals, decorate baskets and climb on a pedal tractor. Getting
Strawberry Mountain (a chipped pathway that leads to the top of a rained out is not an issue at this farm. “All of the areas we take the
50-foot turbo slide) and cozying up with the barnyard crowd. Don’t children to for their party are covered; even the wagon has a roof,”
worry about getting rained out; farm-related songs, games and says Laura Hughes, who co-manages the century-old family farm.
crafts activities have been lined up to keep kids busy indoors. Party Adults, meanwhile, can visit the scratch bakery, check out gourmet
fee is $180 plus GST for eight kids, including the birthday child. food products and have a snack while waiting for their kids at the
This includes unlimited farmyard activities, a birthday mural, pizza café. “It was easy planning for her party; all I had to do was show
and apple juice for guests (a fresh veggie tray is available, upon up with my loot bags,” says Carla, Elisha’s mom.