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Howell's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch

📍 3145 Howell Ct, Cumming, IA 50061🗓 Season dates not yet published for 2026🏷 Pricing TBD

An admission-based pumpkin patch built around the Kiddie Korral playground (pedal tractors, wiggle cars, slides, mud kitchen), good for families with kids 2-10, but pricing and 2026 dates are not yet published.

Aerial view of Howell's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch in Cumming, IA

What you get for the price

Included with admission

corn mazepumpkin patchhayridesKiddie Korralpedal tractorswiggle carshay stacksmud pie kitchencorn boxgiant slide

Per-person admission for wagon ride, pumpkin patch and corn maze included

Our take

Howell’s Greenhouse is not a corn-maze-first operation; it’s built around the Kiddie Korral, an extensive playground area featuring pedal tractors, wiggle cars, hay stacks, a mud pie kitchen, a corn box and a giant slide. The pumpkin patch and 8-acre corn maze are there, but they’re supplementary. For families whose main mission is tiring out kids ages 2-10 in a pumpkin-patch setting, this matches well. For families expecting a serious corn maze or large pumpkin-picking experience, manage expectations.

The admission model is per-person, all-inclusive: one price gets you access to the corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides and the Kiddie Korral playground. No à la carte upsells for individual activities, which is straightforward, though you need to know the person-cost before budgeting.

The Kiddie Korral is the differentiator

Eight activities in one playground area (pedal tractors, wiggle cars, hay stacks, mud pie kitchen, corn box, giant slide, plus hayrides and the maze) give toddlers and early-elementary kids a lot to rotate through. A family of four can spread out—parents watch from the shade while kids move between activities. Two hours on this playground is typically enough; by the third hour, you’re looping the same rides and most kids are ready to leave.

It’s a sixth-generation family farm

Howell’s has been operating long enough to know what families want. The emphasis on multi-activity play rather than a single grand attraction reflects that they’ve watched families come and go for generations. That history usually means reliable operation and maintenance, which matters when you’re driving to a farm with young kids.

What we don’t know yet

The 2026 opening and closing dates were not published. Iowa pumpkin season typically runs late September through October, but confirm with Howell’s. The per-person admission price was also not available; call (515) 981-0863 or check the website before the drive to lock in the exact cost.

Ask also whether hayrides are included in admission or cost separately; this shapes the total spend.

Practical notes for families with young kids

The mud pie kitchen and corn box will get kids thoroughly dirty, which is part of the appeal but means bringing a change of clothes for toddlers is practical. Wipes or hand sanitizer help before re-entry to the car or a restaurant. The October sun is still strong enough to warrant sunscreen even on cool days, especially in the open playground area.

Planning your visit

Best time to go

Howell's shows daily hours 10am-5pm, Monday through Sunday, year-round on its listings. October is the standard pumpkin-season peak in Iowa. The farm had not published specific 2026 opening/closing dates when we checked, so confirm before the drive. A Tuesday or Wednesday morning visit will be notably quieter than weekends, and an early-October date will offer cooler, more pleasant weather than late October.

How long to budget

Two to three hours. The Kiddie Korral playground is the draw for younger kids, but it's not enormous—you can exhaust most activities in 90 minutes to two hours, then move on.

Crowds

Weekday mornings (Tue-Thu 10am) are markedly quieter. Weekends and late afternoon (3-5pm) will be busiest, especially on pleasant October days. Mid-day (11am-2pm) on a weekday is often sweet-spot timing.

Parking

Not specified. Field parking at family farms in the Des Moines area is typically unpaved; expect muddy ground after rain.

Strollers and accessibility

The presence of pedal tractors and wiggle cars suggests some mobility thought, but specific accessibility details were not published. Call (515) 981-0863 to clarify ADA access or mobility needs for your party.

What to bring

  • Cash or card for the admission (per-person rate not published; call (515) 981-0863 to confirm the cost before you visit)
  • Closed-toe shoes for the playground and pumpkin field
  • Change of clothes for kids if you have toddlers; the mud pie kitchen and corn box are genuinely muddy
  • Sunscreen and a hat for the open playground areas
  • A light jacket for October; mornings start cool in Iowa
  • Wipes or hand sanitizer; the playground activities (mud kitchen, corn box) get kids dirty

How to spend less here

  • Call ahead to ask about discount rates for groups or weekday visits
  • Visit mid-week (Tue-Thu) rather than weekends if pricing is per-person; fewer crowds might mean faster service
  • Plan a two-hour visit to get full value from the Kiddie Korral without paying for extra hours you don't need

Who it suits

Good for

  • Families with kids ages 2-10 who want a pumpkin patch with heavy playground emphasis
  • Toddlers and preschoolers who need short, frequent activity breaks
  • A quick afternoon outing from the Des Moines area (Cumming is southwest of Des Moines)
  • Multigenerational visits where some adults watch from the shade while kids play

Skip it if

You need confirmed 2026 dates and pricing before driving. The farm hadn't published 2026 season dates or per-person admission costs when we searched. Also skip if everyone in your party is a teenager or adult; the Kiddie Korral is genuinely built for young kids, and adults without small kids to supervise will find it repetitive.

Common questions

What is included with admission to Howell's Greenhouse?

Admission covers the pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, and unlimited access to the Kiddie Korral playground (pedal tractors, wiggle cars, hay stacks, mud pie kitchen, corn box, giant slide). Everything is included in the per-person admission price.

How much is admission per person?

The per-person admission cost was not published in our research. Call (515) 981-0863 to ask for rates. The farm's website should also show pricing.

When does Howell's open for the 2026 pumpkin season?

The farm had not published specific 2026 opening and closing dates when we checked. The general hours show 10am-5pm daily, but confirm the fall pumpkin season start date by phone or website.

Is the Kiddie Korral good for kids under 3?

The Kiddie Korral is designed for families with kids; pedal tractors and wiggle cars work for ages 2-8 primarily. Toddlers can participate in some activities but will need close supervision, especially on equipment like the giant slide.

When is Howell's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch open in 2026?

2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. In past seasons it has run: Mon-Sun 10am-5pm. Check with the farm before driving out.

How much does Howell's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch cost?

Admission pricing was not published when we last checked. Per-person admission for wagon ride, pumpkin patch and corn maze included

Where is Howell's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch?

3145 Howell Ct, Cumming, IA 50061, in Madison County. It is one of 5 patches we track in Des Moines Region.

How Howell's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch compares in Des Moines Region

We track 5 patches in Des Moines Region. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.

One caveat worth repeating: this farm had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 2 of the 5 patches we track in Des Moines Region had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the farm confirms it.

Other patches near Cumming

There are 6 other patches we track in Madison County. All Des Moines Region patches →

Quick facts

SeasonSeason dates not yet published for 2026
Days openMon-Sun 10am-5pm
HoursOpen daily
AdmissionNot published
CountyMadison County
RegionDes Moines Region

Directions

Open in Google Maps ↗

Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.

Sources

howellsgreenhouseandpumpkinpatch.com

Checked August 2026.