Children scrambled onto “the hay bales of fun” and went down the slides, played in a box filled with corn cobs or pedaled their way around a track on the pedal cars.

At the end of the day full of fun they would get to pick out their own pumpkins to take home.

Owners Ashley and Calvin Berry are in their 11th season of operating Berry Acres, which is located at 4605 County Road 15 West just outside of Minot. It would have been 12 seasons except for the year they had to take off due to flooding.

Hours of operation are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 839-0701.

Andrea Johnson/MDN Kindergarteners and first graders from Powers Lake Elementary visited the Berry Acres pumpkin patch outside of Minot last week and enjoyed bales of fun with slides, the corn box and pedal cars.

During the spring and summer, the couple also operates the Green Thumb Greenhouse.

Ashley Berry said pumpkin patch has made a great addition to the business.

“My husband decided he wanted to expand on some of the business and he thought what better way than adding a pumpkin patch and corn maze,” she said.

Admission to the pumpkin patch, which will be open through the end of October if weather permits, includes all sorts of activities.

“The corn box is really popular,” said Ashley Berry. “They can just jump in and play with all the corn like it’s a huge sandbox, only made with corn.”

Andrea Johnson/MDN Kindergarteners and first graders from Powers Lake Elementary visited the Berry Acres pumpkin patch outside of Minot last week and enjoyed bales of fun with slides, the corn box and pedal cars.

Kids can make snow angels, “only I suppose you’d call them corn angels,” said Ashley Berry.

There are also picture displays where people can take selfies and zip tracks and a catch and release fishing pond.

Other attractions include life size chess and checkers.

Admission is $7 per person, with children 3 and under admitted for free. Some activities are offered at select times and for an extra fee, like paint ball or a petting zoo. The petting zoo is scheduled to be held this weekend, Oct. 2 and 3. from noon to 6 p.m. Other dates for the petting zoo are Oct. 9-10, Oct. 16-17, and Oct. 23-24.

Ashley Berry said groups from different schools around the area have been visiting at a rate of about three a week. Individuals and family and other groups also have been visiting.

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop the pumpkin patch from being a popular attraction last year. Berry Acres added some extra hand sanitizing stations and provided plenty of room for people to social distance and still have fun.

“It’s just really awesome when all the families come out and have a great time,” said Ashley Berry. “It’s a great way for the families to get outside and get some fresh air and also wear the kids out so they’re not so wound up!”