Moms’ Guide to Night of the Living Farm

One of our favorite Halloween events every year since our kids were little is the Night of the Living Farm at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. My kids love to explore one of their favorite places at night, and all decked out for the holiday. Here are some tips to enjoy your first visit to this fun event.

What is Night of the Living Farm?

This is your chance to enjoy Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead after dark! There are lots of fun activities to fill the evening, including a hayride (spooky or non-spooky), marshmallow roasting, a flashlight scavenger hunt, dance parties, princesses, superheroes and games.

When is Night of the Living Farm?

Takes places on Friday and Saturday nights the last two weekends of October from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Whom It’s Best For

The event is best suited for toddlers on up to elementary aged kids. Preschool age is probably the sweet spot, but my older kids still love to go every year.

Location and Parking

13800 Switzer Road, Overland Park, Kan., 66221

Both parking lots will be open, but you will need to enter through the large red barn.

Tickets

Night of the Living Farm tickets must be purchased online, and there are a limited number each night, so make sure you snag yours before they sell out. They are $15 per person, and kids under 2 get in free. Friends of the Farmstead members get a special discount code emailed to them. You do not need to print off your tickets, just show the ticket on your phone when you enter.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are located in three places – in the large barn by the entrance, in the white barn, and on the east side of the farmstead near the concessions building.

Stroller and Wheelchair Accessibility

The farmstead has paved sidewalks and trails throughout, but you will need to park your stroller for things such as the hayride.

Seating Areas

There are picnic tables scattered throughout the farmstead, as well as swings and benches to sit down for a break to enjoy a snack.

Food Policies and Purchase Options

In addition to roasted marshmallows and candy, there will be food and drink options available for purchase, such as kettle corn, apple cider and hot chocolate. No cash is necessary. Food vendors will be accepting credit and debit cards.

Night of the Living Farm Mom Pro Tips

Bring a bag or bucket for collecting candy at the different stations throughout the event.

Once the sun goes down, it may get chilly, so pack jackets just in case.

Each person gets a ticket to do one of the two hayrides. The spooky hayride leaves from the area where the regular hayrides operate. The non-spooky hayride leaves from behind the white dairy barn.

If you want to avoid really long lines for the hayrides, be at the farmstead when the event starts at 5:30 p.m., and go directly to the hayride of your choosing. The spooky hayride typically ends up with the longest line.

Julia Willhite
I'm Julia and I live in Olathe with my husband of 18 years, my 12 and 8 year old daughters, and our rescue pug Mabel. I’m a social worker turned SAHM and love Dr. Pepper, thunderstorms, and talking to other adults. I hate coffee, diet culture, and washing dishes. I'll talk your ear off about the best local parks and which restaurants have wronged me by changing their long-standing menu items. I try to walk the line between knowing a lot of stuff and not being a know-it-all. Some days I'm better than others.