family fun: Harvest a day of fall fun at Rounds Ranch

family fun: Harvest a day of fall fun at Rounds Ranch

September 7, 2026

WORDS BY ANDREW HIND

Fall may signal cooling weather and fading gardens, but it’s also a season of dazzling tree colours, crisp air that begs to be inhaled deeply, and plump pumpkins growing in fields. If you have little ones, there are few places better to spend an autumn day than Rounds Ranch in Elmvale.

Rounds Ranch began twenty-five years ago when Ken and Geri Rounds purchased a 125-acre farm in December 2001. The couple were inspired by the idea of creating a family farm experience where guests could experience a sampling of farm life.

Since then, thanks to their own imagination, hard work and growing interest in agritourism, Rounds Ranch has blossomed into a family favourite attraction in Simcoe County. Attractions include a petting zoo, tractor rides, corn maze (in season, naturally), pony rides, ziplines, playground, a recreated Wild West town to explore, and more – enough to keep young children entertained.

While every season has its own unique charm on the farm (see what I did there?), autumn is arguably the best time to visit.

Sunflowers shine bright at Rounds Ranch in August, but when you read this, there is still a bit of time to enjoy a pick-your-own (PYO) sunflower experience and the last dash of summer. You hop aboard a wagon and will be taken by tractor to the ten-acre sunflower field. There, you’ll be dropped off to explore over a mile of winding trails through a field of yellows and golds showcasing seventy stunning varieties of blooms. Unique props are scattered throughout the field, creating picture-perfect backdrops for your photographic memories. Choose your favourite sunflower to take home – snippers, bags, and water are provided in the field tent. For an even more vibrant bouquet, you can purchase a Blooming Bucket ($24.99) and fill it to the brim with sunflowers and fresh-cut flowers.

Only at Rounds Ranch can you celebrate Easter in September with their Better Late Than Never Easter Egg Hunt (Sept. 5-7). Gathering colorful eggs as the first hints of reds and yellows appear on trees is quirky and just plain fun. Meet the Easter Bunny amidst the sunflower field, go in search of the elusive ‘Golden Egg’, and race to gather candy shot into the sky by the Candy Blaster. Every child gets to take home a bag of treats. Best of all, no muddy boots. Note that you can combine the pick-your-own sunflower experience mentioned above with Easter Egg Hunt.

Fall kicks off in full fashion starting Sept. 18. Avoid the crowds but still enjoy the changing season on the farm during Fall Fun Fridays, which run through to the end of October. Weekends as of Sept. 19 come alive with excitement due to Pumpkin Mania, which embraces gourds like few others. No fall day at Rounds is complete until you’ve picked your own pumpkin.