Grandparents On The Go - Tolmachoff Farms

This time of year brings memories of childhood days with a nip in the air, and porches adorned with pumpkins and cornstalks; that is, it does for those of us who grew up in the Midwest, or just about any rural American town. If you think that you can’t have a similar fall experience right here in Arizona then you haven’t been to Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale!

Open to the public daily, you will find a little something for everyone. I discovered this little gem several years ago, taking the grandkids from ages 2 and up. Their favorite activities were grinding the corn to feed the chickens and picking out pumpkins to take home.

Adding to the charm, Tolmachoff Farms is a family-run operation that has been in existence in one form or another since the 1970’s. Just like all educational facilities, they are constantly improving the ‘farm experience’ and adding new, fun activities. Right now they are celebrating Pumpkin Days and Corn Maze with a 6 acre corn maze and even a mini corn maze for the youngest visitors. To keep people coming back, the theme is changed each year, and the newly added 20 x 20 spider web for climbing is a great example of how the Tolmachoffs keep enhancing the farm. They host school field trips that are often the first exposure to a real working farm; these ‘Classrooms-in-the-corn’ take the students out into the fields and let them select and take home some of the u-pick veggies.

Certain activities are only available on the weekends; for example the bounce house and train rides (additional $2. per ride for the train). General admission includes the current corn mazes, petting zoo, play areas, and jumping pillow, feeding the chickens, and shopping in the produce stand. The produce stand will reopen from November 4- Dec 24^th with winter veggies- including carrots, turnips, beets, radishes, onions, greens, Swiss chard, and honey. They also sell several preserved goodies such as salsas and pickled items. I have purchased some of these & I highly recommend them! Coming soon are the Christmas tree sales (Nov 30-Dec 24, 9am to 9pm daily) and Pictures with Santa on Dec 14^th and 21^st from noon – 4pm, which is all part of ‘Christmas at the Farm’.

Remember that there is always something fun going on at Tolmachoff Farms, so be sure to check their website for their calendar of events and hours. Trust me, your little ones will not want to leave, so slather them with sunblock and allow at least 2 hours for your visit.

Tolmachoff Farms