Visiting a farm is the perfect way to spend a beautiful day outdoors with kids. That's why many families head to farms to pick pumpkins and other fruit or to pet and feed animals.

But while those activities are fun on their own, some farms near DC really step it up when it comes to family entertainment. We're talking giant slides, hayrides, corn mazes, games, pony rides, and loads more. Some of these farms only offer these activities during fall festivals and other special times of year, while others bring the fun nearly year-round.

Here are the 12 best farms with family entertainment near DC, located in Virginia and Maryland. Find even more farm fun in our Guide to Farms in Washington, DC, from animal farms and petting zoos to apple-picking orchards.

Crisp air and crunchy leaves signal the arrival of fall in Philadelphia, and a family hiking trip is one great way to get a load of both. Philly's vibrant, bustling city life is surrounded by serene parks, trails and nature preserves that make the perfect destinations for a kid-friendly fall hike. There are plenty of great family-friendly hiking trails near Philadelphia to accommodate family members of all ages. Many of our favorite Philadelphia hiking trails are great for strollers, and some of the more challenging hiking trails are great fits for tweens and teens. 

For more great treks across the state, check out our roundup of the best Pennsylvania state parks. And to really make the most of autumn, don't miss our Fall Activity Guide, loaded with festivals, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and more.

Here in Westchester and Hudson Valley, we have a bounty of farms with family-friendly activities to entertain every age. And that's a pretty fortunate state of affairs, since nothing delivers that warm, autumnal feeling like a trip to the farm and activities like apple picking, hayrides, and visiting some cute animals. 

Read on for descriptions of the top farms in and around the Hudson Valley with great entertainment for families, and be sure to visit our Westchester pick-your-own guide for more farm fun.

Craft-themed birthday party places across Long Island offer festive, art-filled interactive events for kids. Party packages accommodate different age groups, from young kids to tweens and teens. Art-loving kids can celebrate with a cool canvas paint party, doll fashion design bash, plaster craft fun, and more hands-on creations at these unique venues. 

Read ahead for our picks of the best arts and crafts birthday party places to start planning a memorable celebration. And check out our Long Island Party Guide for even more great birthday party ideas. 

New Jersey’s inviting family-friendly farms offer year-round activities that blend agriculture with entertainment. Whether your kids want to meet baby barnyard animals, pick their own fruit, or take a hayride, these top "agritainment" centers guarantee enough fresh air and playtime to tucker out your mini farmer by day's end.

New Jersey isn’t known as the Garden State for nothing!

Find more great options in our Pick Your Own Guide to Farms in New Jersey. 

There's no better way to welcome fall than with a visit to one of these farms near NYC that are chock full of kid-friendly activities. From our favorite farms near NYC for picking pumpkins and exploring corn mazes to getting hands-on with farm animals and savoring fresh apple cider, these local farms offer a wealth of get-out-of-the-city adventures.

Prepare to discover the cozy, seasonal delights and unique experiences that make a visit to these farms in New Jersey, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley a favorite family outing. If you are looking for even more farms to explore this season, check out our top picks for action-packed farms in New Jersey and activity-filled Hudson Valley farms.

Head to the country to enjoy berry picking, pumpkin patches, petting zoos, and more.

Many family farms near Los Angeles allow city kids to test life on the farm. Visits to local farms are things you can do multiple times a year while kids are still little, such as pumpkin patches, corn maze wanderings, strawberry picking, and animal visits. 

Read on to discover our favorite farms near Los Angeles, where kids can learn about how things grow, taste homegrown (and homemade) goodies, take part in seasonal festivals, meet animals, and play in the dirt. These farms range from giant farms with loads of animals, pick-your-own fields, bounce houses, and tractor rides to smaller spots where city kids can learn about planting and get their hands in the dirt.

Visit the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles, see the top farms for strawberry picking, and find more farm fun in our guide to the Best Berry Picking and Animal Farms in Los Angeles.