Willows Farm Potato Shindig Event Review
Willows Activity Farm
Potato Shindig Event
Hertfordshire
Each Weekend in September
Reviewed by Nealy Collins
As a huge fan of Willows Farm I was really excited to be invited along to their new Potato Shindig Event.
The event runs every weekend throughout September and gives children the opportunity to harvest their own potatoes at the farm and even take some home for free.
A visit to Willows Farm is always a fun packed day out and this event is no different! I took my 3 year old son along with a friend and her two daughters who are 9 and 3.
As we walked down to the Potato Patch all 3 children were equally excited to get digging in the dirt.
Adults were provided with big garden forks to dig up the potatoes, which I have to say was a lot easier than I thought it might be – no sweat or tears! There were staff on hand to help if necessary though. The children were then able to collect up the potatoes and there were plenty to go round.
The children were delighted with the varying shapes and sizes of the potatoes, they enjoyed brushing off the dirt and found a few bugs and worms! At the end they were all so proud of their efforts and enjoyed counting how many potatoes they had to take home.
I think it’s really important for children to understand where our food comes from and this is a great hands-on learning experience.
Following our harvest the children enjoyed some potato arts and crafts in a marquee set up as part of the Shindig event.
It’s great for the children to be able to get creative while the parents can relax and leave the mess behind! Our children loved painting with potatoes that had been cleverly cut into various shapes.
During our visit we also met the new Willows character ‘Spuddy’ and just like the other Willows characters he’s big and friendly! My son particularly took to him and I know he would love to see him in the children’s shows that also run over the weekends this month.
There is so much to explore at Willows Farm and we certainly didn’t stop at the Potato Shindig!
Every time we have been to the farm my children find something new to explore and I really don’t think it’s possible to get round everything in one day!
On this visit we were lucky with the weather and the children particularly enjoyed the outdoor sand pit, where plenty of buckets and spades are provided. The JCB riders were another favourite and of course the animals. We finished up in the Animal Barn, holding the guinea pigs which the children loved.
From well-placed hand washing stations, automatic towel dispensers and adult height door operations I find everything at Willows to be well thought out and made really family friendly which makes for a relaxing and enjoyable day as parents.
The list of activities at Willows Farm is endless, both indoors and out there’s something for all ages and you are guaranteed a fun filled family day out.
Everything is included in the entrance price which I believe makes it excellent value for money.
If you’re looking for something fun and different to do I would absolutely recommend giving the Potato Shindig a try this September!
And not forgetting the actual potatoes – they really are delicious!!!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £12.75 to £13.75 (weekend prices).
For more information or to book tickets visit www.willowsactivityfarm.com/potato-shindig.
Willows Activity Farm, Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire, Al4 0PF
