Autumn Lessons at Round The Bend Farm: Hands‑On Fall School Tours in Kettleby

KETTLEBY FARM FIELD GUIDE

Autumn Lessons at Round The Bend Farm: Hands‑On Fall School Tours in Kettleby

A working family farm school program that packs wagon rides, animal encounters, mazes and a take‑home pie pumpkin into a focused fall visit—this guide explains what to expect and how to plan.

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Autumn Lessons at Round The Bend Farm: Hands‑On Fall School Tours in Kettleby.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Kettleby
Operator
Round The Bend Farm
Category
Farm

Adventure brief

Autumn Lessons at Round The Bend Farm: Hands‑On Fall School Tours in Kettleby

Round The Bend Farm in Kettleby opens its gates to schools each fall for hands‑on classrooms outdoors: students learn about animals, plant growth and where food comes from through wagon rides, animal visits and playful time in a straw maze and corn maze, and every child leaves with a pie pumpkin.

Located in Kettleby, Ontario, Round The Bend Farm offers an engaging fall experience designed specifically for school groups looking to connect with nature and agriculture firsthand. This working family farm opens its gates each autumn for school tours that blend education with outdoor adventure over two to three-and-a-half hours. Far from a typical field trip, these tours invite students to immerse themselves in the rhythms of farm life during the vibrant fall season.

The farm’s setting is a lively canvas of golden fields, rustic barns, and colorful fall vegetables, providing a practical classroom for lessons on animal care, plant growth, and food origins. Students encounter ducks, peafowl, goats, sheep, pigs, and even Levi the alpaca, engaging with the animals in their spacious outdoor habitats. Informative flip boards alongside the enclosures deepen understanding while encouraging curiosity about animal biology and farm ecosystems.

Hands-on activities abound. After a guided talk on pumpkin life cycles and pollination, each classroom receives a box of freshly harvested vegetables, linking farm-to-table concepts directly to young learners. Wagon rides through the fields highlight where food grows and how plants nourish us, adding a tactile dimension rarely available in urban settings.

Play is an essential part of the visit. Children navigate a straw maze, twist down the farm’s Tube Chute, and carefully make their way through an expansive corn maze under adult supervision. Interactive stations like a music board and activity panels extend exploration into playful learning, enriching the day’s discovery.

Round The Bend Farm stands out in Ontario’s agritourism scene by offering an authentic rural experience focused on sustainability and education. Its commitment to teaching children about nature, agriculture, and healthy food origins makes it a vital outdoor destination for school groups aiming to deepen their connection to the land. Each student leaves with a pie pumpkin, a natural memento that reinforces lessons learned and the magic of authentic fall farm life.

Route Schematic

Route & Activity Schematic

Core stops outline the educational and play rotations students move through on a school visit.

  1. Pumpkin Presentation (indoor)

    An indoor presentation on the pumpkin’s life cycle and the role of bees in pollination.

  2. Wagon Ride & Harvest Box

    A wagon ride that illustrates where food comes from and what part of the plant is eaten; each classroom receives a harvested box of farm vegetables.

  3. Animal Visit

    Visits to outdoor living spaces to see ducks, peafowl, chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, calves, rabbits and Levi the alpaca, with informational signs and flip‑board activities.

  4. Play Zone: Straw & Corn Mazes, Tube Chute

    Supervised play in the straw maze, sliding the Tube Chute and navigating the corn maze, plus farm activity and music boards.

Adults must accompany students in the corn maze; teachers and school volunteers are responsible for student supervision at all times. Booking is by confirmed spots only — if you cannot book the number of students you want, the day is already fully booked, and arriving with more students than were reserved will not be allowed.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE CURRICULUM

Hands‑on autumn learning

Indoor and outdoor activities focus on life cycles and food origins: a pumpkin presentation covers the pumpkin’s life cycle and pollination, while students explore plant parts and receive a harvested box of vegetables for each classroom.

THE ANIMALS

Up close with farm residents

Students visit animals living outdoors — ducks, peafowl, chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, calves, rabbits and Levi the alpaca — using information signs and flip‑board activities to learn more about each species.

THE PLAY

Mazes, wagon rides and farm activity boards

Wagon rides demonstrate where food comes from, while supervised play includes a straw maze, the Tube Chute, a corn maze (adults must accompany students), a music board and other activity stations—plus every child takes home a pie pumpkin.

What the day feels like

What a visit feels like

A school day at Round The Bend Farm unfolds as a series of short, tactile lessons: an indoor session on pumpkins and pollination, a wagon ride that connects students to crops, close encounters with a range of farm animals and free play through mazes and activity boards—designed to keep children moving, engaged and connected to where food comes from.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who gets the most from this program — and who should plan differently.

1
Elementary ClassesIdeal for hands‑on, age‑appropriate outdoor learning; best when class sizes are booked exactly because the farm enforces reserved spots and supervision rules.
2
Teachers & ChaperonesA strong fit for groups with committed adult supervision: teachers and school volunteers are expected to supervise students at all times and must accompany them in the corn maze.
3
Large Groups & Multiple ClassesPossible, but requires advance planning — if you cannot reserve the number of students you want, that date is already booked by other schools; the farm enforces the booked count.
4
Groups with Limited On‑Site SupervisionNot an ideal match: the program requires adult accompaniment in key activities and relies on teachers/volunteers for student supervision throughout the visit.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

What to Bring

Dress for the weather and for being outside; plan for wind and cooler conditions because the farm’s open spaces can be chillier than town.

Clothing & Footwear

Wear layers and sturdy footwear suitable for farm surfaces and outdoor play.

Weather Considerations

Expect it to be often cooler at the farm due to winds and wide open spaces; plan clothing accordingly.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long does a school visit last?

Trips to the farm range from about 2 to 3–3.5 hours long; the operator understands schools may arrive later than 10:00 a.m. or leave after 1:00 p.m. and can accommodate that.

Where is the meeting point for the visit?

Meeting location is Round The Bend Farm in Kettleby.

What activities are included in the program?

Hands‑on activities include an indoor pumpkin life‑cycle presentation, a wagon ride, animal visits, play in the straw maze, Tube Chute, corn maze (with adult accompaniment), music and activity boards; each child receives a take‑home pie pumpkin and classrooms receive harvested vegetables.

What are the booking and supervision rules?

If you cannot book the number of students you want, that day is already booked by other schools; you may not arrive with more students than were reserved. Teachers and school volunteers are responsible for supervision at all times, and adults must accompany students in the corn maze. Teachers and TAs are not charged; adult‑to‑student ratios and fees are handled per the farm’s rate policy.

Are lunch facilities available?

A picnic shelter lunch area can be reserved for a $15 fee per school; all lunches must be litterless and all associated garbage must go home with the students.

Which animals will students see?

Students will see ducks, peafowl, chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, calves, rabbits and Levi the alpaca in their outdoor living spaces.

How this guide was prepared

This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.

  • Verified: 2026-09-12T12:11:27.547Z

Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.

Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.

Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.

Autumn Lessons at Round The Bend Farm: Hands‑On Fall School Tours in Kettleby