Pumpkin Ideas and Activities to Celebrate Fall
It’s our favorite time of the year: enjoying the great fall weather, harvesting our crops and embracing all things pumpkin! If you’re looking for ideas and activities featuring our favorite fall squash, you’ve come to the right place.
If any state ever had a reason to join the pumpkin mania, it’s Illinois. After all, we are the #1 producer of pumpkins in the U.S. Most of those pumpkins go into food manufacturing (think Libby’s Canned Pumpkin) for fall pies, pumpkin bars and breads, but they are also used for fall decorating, family fun and more.
Practically drooling at all the yummy mentions of pumpkin? You’re in luck, because we’ve rounded up our favorite pumpkin recipes and other fun pumpkin-fun. Check it out!
Easy and Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
From milkshakes to classic pumpkin pie, check out these three must-try pumpkin recipes this fall season.
5-Minute Pumpkin Milkshake
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Anything pumpkin-flavored is hard to beat, but when you add ice cream to the mix, you know it’s going to be next level. We’re whipping up a tasty pumpkin take on a classic milkshake.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Libby’s Canned Pumpkin
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (approximately 4 scoops)
- ½ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- Toppings: whipped cream, caramel, ground cinnamon
Directions
- Add pumpkin, ice cream, milk, and pumpkin pie spice to a blender.
- Blend for 30-45 seconds or until ingredients are well mixed.
- Add to serving glass and top with desired toppings.
Watch the how-to video on our Instagram.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
It just isn’t fall without a traditional pumpkin pie. This recipe comes straight from the beloved Libby’s can. Make this classic pumpkin pie recipe at home.
Pumpkin Pie Squares with Cinnamon Sugar Yogurt Topping
Looking for a twist on classic pumpkin pie? These pumpkin pie squares are lighter and easy to make for a crowd. Check out the pumpkin pie squares recipe.
Spicy Pork Chili with Pumpkin
Pumpkin purée makes for flavorful savory dishes, too! This spicy pork chili is a great way to usher in fall. Try out the recipe for pork chili with pumpkin.
Pumpkin Patch Pudding Cups
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This is the perfect “snack-tivity” to do with the kids before heading out to one of Illinois’ many pumpkin patches this fall. These pumpkin patch soil cups are tasty, adorable, and fun for the whole family!
Ingredients
- 1 package (3.9 oz) chocolate instant pudding
- 2 cups milk
- 8 ounces whipped topping
- 20 Oreo cookies, crushed
- Candy pumpkins
- Shredded coconut
- Green food coloring
- Clear plastic cups
Directions
- Whisk together pudding mix and milk in a medium bowl for 2 minutes. Follow the package directions for the pudding. Allow to set for 5 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Add a tablespoon of crushed cookies into each of the plastic cups.
- Top with a layer of pudding mixture, repeat layers, alternating the pudding until ending with cookie mixture. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Add shredded coconut to a container with a lid and add a few drops of green food coloring and a touch of water. Shake until colored. Right before serving, sprinkle colored coconut and top with candy pumpkins.
See the step-by-step on our Instagram.
Chicago-Area Pumpkin Patches
Looking to take the family to a local pumpkin patch this season? Check out these 10+ pumpkin patches and farm stands near Chicago for all your fall festivities.
Your Local Pumpkin-Raising Farm Families
While corn and soybeans might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about an Illinois farmer, but there are several farm families in Illinois dedicated to growing the pumpkins we love to eat and decorate, too. Come meet a few of them!
The Heap Family – Minooka, IL
The Heap family farm has been around since 1866, but it wasn’t until 2001 that the family experienced their “biggest” change: establishing Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm! From August through October, the family welcomes guests to their farm for a fall agritourism festival including their pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals, and more. Get to know the Heaps.
The Dollinger Family – Mazon, IL
Dollinger Family Farm is a multi-generational farm that is open to the public from mid-September through October. They love to share their farm traditions with those unfamiliar with agriculture, including the pumpkin farm, corn maze, bee barn, train rides, and more! Learn more about the Dollingers.
Still hungry for more pumpkin? Learn the difference between pumpkins for carving and pumpkins for eating.
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