Fall Activities That Celebrate the Season with Pumpkins and Squash
Fall is one of those seasons that invites you to slow down and actually do things. Cook something warm from scratch. Make a mess at the craft table. Fill your home with things that smell, look, and feel like the harvest season. And at the center of so many of those activities, whether you realize it or not, are pumpkins and squash.
At Bay Baby Produce, we have been growing pumpkins and certified organic winter squash on our 800-acre farm in Skagit Valley, Washington since 1999. We know better than most that these vegetables are not just ingredients or decorations. They are the raw material of some of the best fall activities a family, classroom, or household can share together.
This guide covers our favorite ways to celebrate fall with pumpkins and squash, featuring the exact products from our farm that make each one possible.
Cooking Activities With Organic Winter Squash
Some of the most satisfying fall activities happen in the kitchen.
Cooking with seasonal squash connects you to the harvest in a way that is both practical and genuinely enjoyable, and our certified organic winter squash varieties are grown in Skagit Valley's nutrient-rich soil using sustainable farming practices for over 25 years.
Roasting and Stuffing Organic Acorn Squash
Our 2 CT Organic Acorn Squash with Recipe at $6.50 is one of the most approachable fall cooking activities you can do with kids or on your own. Acorn squash has deep ridges and rich, buttery flesh that is ideal for baking, stuffing, or enjoying with a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. The recipe included in every pack gives you a clear starting point, and the activity of scooping, seasoning, and roasting the squash together makes for a memorable kitchen session.
A quick tip directly from our farm: pierce the squash with a fork and microwave for a couple of minutes before cutting to make the process significantly easier and safer. Once halved and scooped, you can stuff the cavity with wild rice, sausage, or roasted vegetables for a meal that feels genuinely celebratory.
Making Pasta Night From the Garden With Spaghetti Squash
Our 2 CT Organic Spaghetti Squash with Recipe at $6.50 is famous for its pasta-like strands and makes for one of the most interactive cooking activities of the fall season. Roast or microwave the squash, then let kids take turns scraping the inside to reveal the tender golden noodles. Pair with marinara, pesto, or butter and herbs for a dinner that doubles as a demonstration of how remarkable vegetables can be when grown right.
Roasting Delicata Squash Slices as a Family Snack
Our 2 CT Organic Delicata Squash with Recipe at $5.99 is a standout for quick, simple cooking activities because its skin is tender and edible, which means no peeling required. Slice into rings, toss with olive oil and your favorite herbs, roast until golden, and enjoy. The signature green stripes and naturally sweet, nutty flavor make delicata squash one of the most visually appealing and delicious autumn snacks you can make with minimal effort.
Our website also reminds us not to forget the seeds. Save the seeds from any of our squash varieties and roast them with a little salt and olive oil for a delicious and nutritious snack that makes the most of every part of the harvest.
Exploring All Three With Our Squash Collection
If you want to try all three varieties and turn squash cooking into a true fall tasting activity, our Squash Collection starting from $5.99 lets you explore acorn, delicata, and spaghetti squash together. It is an excellent way to discover which variety your household loves most and to make squash cooking a seasonal tradition rather than a one-off experiment.
Related: Easy Fall Crafts Using Pumpkins and Natural Materials
Pumpkin Painting Activities
Pumpkin painting is one of the most beloved fall activities for families, classrooms, and community events, and it gets even better when the pumpkins are real and farm-grown.
Pumpkin Painting Activity Kits for Kids and Families
Our 4 CT Pumpkin Paint Activity Kits at $8.99 include four real mini pumpkins grown on our farm alongside paint supplies. Everything you need arrives together, making this one of the easiest fall activities to set up for a family evening, a classroom Halloween party, or a birthday celebration with a harvest theme.
Real pumpkins take paint beautifully and hold their shape well throughout an activity session. When the pumpkins dry, children and adults alike have a finished piece they actually made, which is a very different kind of satisfaction than unwrapping a pre-decorated item from a store. At $8.99 for four real pumpkins plus supplies, these kits are one of the most affordable and genuinely memorable fall activity investments you can make.
Painting With Pre-Decorated Inspiration
If you want to give your painting session a theme or style direction, our custom-decorated painted pumpkin collections offer beautiful inspiration. Our 6 CT Original Pumpkin Patch Pals at $21.00 have been a Bay Baby Produce signature since 1999, featuring cheerful characters with festive hats and feathery hair that kids love to recreate in their own style.
Our 6 CT Painted Silhouette Pumpkins at $19.50 showcase bold black high-contrast designs against our signature smooth-skinned pumpkins and make excellent examples for older kids and adults who want to try silhouette-style painting on their own pumpkins from the activity kit.
Related: Fun Pumpkin Activities for Families to Enjoy This Fall
Decorating Activities With Pumpkins and Natural Materials
Not every fall activity involves cooking or painting. Some of the most satisfying seasonal celebrations involve slowing down and arranging things beautifully.
Building a Family Harvest Display
Gather the whole family around a table and set out a mix of our 18 CT White Mini Pumpkins and our 18 CT Orange Mini Pumpkins (each at $15.00) alongside our Real Dried Pumpkin Stems for DIY Crafts, Wreaths, and Decor starting from $9.99. Give everyone a tray or a section of the porch steps and let each person arrange their own mini display.
This activity is quiet, creative, and collaborative without requiring any shared tools or mess. It produces a finished result that decorates the home and teaches children about seasonal aesthetics, color pairing, and the satisfaction of a well-arranged space. The real dried pumpkin stems add genuine farm character that no artificial material replicates and are available in multiple size options to suit any arrangement.
Día de Los Muertos Honoring Activity
For families who observe or want to learn about Día de Los Muertos, our 6 CT Painted Día de Muertos Day of the Dead Painted Pumpkins at $19.50 make a meaningful centerpiece for this holiday honoring activity. Each pumpkin is a unique tribute to Mexican heritage and the rich symbolism of this sacred tradition. The black paint and bright colors turn each pumpkin into a festive and heartfelt celebration of life and remembrance. Arrange them on a dedicated table display alongside photographs and candles for an activity that connects the fall season to something deeper than decoration.
Related: Squash Varieties to Try for Cooking, Decorating, and Fall Flavor
Stock Up While the Season Lasts
Our organic winter squash collection is only available locally for a limited time each fall, and pumpkin season is always shorter than it feels. Now is the time to order, cook, paint, and celebrate before the harvest window closes.
Browse our full range of pumpkins, painted pumpkins, and certified organic squash at Bay Baby Produce and bring the best of Skagit Valley to your fall season.