PuraVida Farm is a 35,000 square metre park that, during the autumn period, hosts the Pumpkin Village, the first American-style village in northern Italy.
In this article, we tell you about our experience inside PuraVida Farm, among pumpkins and other attractions.
The Pumpkin Village – PuraVida Farm: what to do
PuraVida Farm is located in San Martino Siccomario, in the province of Pavia, and opens its doors to visitors at two times of the year: in September, with the Pumpkin Patch, coinciding with the pumpkin season, and in spring with the Egg Village.
The Pumpkin Village is based on the American tradition of families going to large pumpkin fields and choosing one to take home to carve and decorate in the run-up to Halloween.
Also at PuraVida Farm, you can find a beautiful pumpkin field where children and adults can choose their favourite and then decorate it at the tables with watercolours.
Once the painting workshop is over, you leave the pumpkin to dry and head off to explore the park. At the end of the day it will be ready to be picked up and taken home as a souvenir!
Picking and painting the pumpkin is certainly one of the hallmarks of PuraVida Farm, but there are many other attractions for the whole family to enjoy in the park. Let’s see them in detail.
What games to find at PuraVida Farm
Below is a short list of the games you can find at PuraVida Farm.
First of all, the inflatables. There are three types, two for children over the age of 3, and one for younger children. These alone will keep them occupied for a long time.
Then there is the electric tractor circuit, jeeps, and pedal tractors. We continue with the pony ride: it’s a really short ride, it might be good as a saddle christening or for younger children. However nice, our daughter wanted to do more rides.
We also really enjoyed the pedalo ride: mum and dad in the front pedalling, and the kids sitting in the back with their life jackets on.
Then there’s the Labyrinth, a path through wooden fences that kids like to do and do again (at least, our daughters).
Corn Hole, the stacked cans to be knocked over with foam balls.
The little boats in the pool to battle with other children (maximum weight 35 kg).
There is also a mechanical bull, medieval games, rock painting, and an educational farm with geese, hens, and rabbits.
There are also themed days every weekend, such as grape crushing, chestnuts and mulled wine, etc. You will find the events in detail on the website.
The Pumpkin Village – PuraVida Farm: opening times and prices
PuraVida Farm is open every weekend from 9 September to 12 November from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. The ticket price is €15.00 per adult and child over the age of 3, free for 0-3 years.
Due to the short opening period, there is always a high turnout, so we recommend purchasing your ticket in advance online. If you wish, you can choose a change of date at a surcharge of €3.00.
Non-refundable tickets are however transferable to third parties so if at the last minute you are unable to go, you can resell them or give them to whoever you want, as they are not named.
All the attractions inside are included in the price, except the pumpkin painting workshop which costs €7.00.
Where to have lunch
Inside the PuraVida there are several food outlets including simple bars with packaged drinks and ice cream, and kiosks with tempting grilled meat and chips.
For those who want to have lunch sitting comfortably in the restaurant, there is also the restaurant pizzeria Alla Lanca, with reservations required at 03821727818.
The calzone is really good and there is a children’s menu. On the other hand, we found the pumpkin proposal a little disappointing (only 1 or 2 dishes).
The Pumpkin Village – PuraVida Farm: what to do if it rains
The Pumpkin Village remains open even in the rain, so if you decide not to go, your ticket will not be refunded.
Most of the attractions are outdoors but there are also some activities under the tents. Being in a park, rain boots for the mud might come in handy.
Conclusions
In our opinion, PuraVida Farm’s Pumpkin Village and the games it offers might be suitable for families with children up to 7/8 years old, as an older child might get bored.
In any case, it is a nice theme park where you can spend an enjoyable day with friends or family.
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