5 Corn Mazes Near Mokena

This burst of warm temperatures is a breath of fresh air, right? At least, I hope you take this opportunity to get some fresh air this weekend, outdoors, partaking in a fall activity.

If you haven’t gone or on nearby trails, there is still time for you to do both. There is also time for a corn maze, which is an increasingly popular fall activity in the Midwest.

Do you know the kind I’m referring to? I don’t mean a simple, one-way route through random cornstalks, like the kind I partook in as a child. I’m talking about the mazes that reside in massive, natural fields of corn and that usually include maps and clue boards to ensure you make it out before the sun sets.

Before you go in, I would recommend you take a bathroom break, bring a water bottle with you and check the weather forecast. (I apparently have half a brain and got caught in the rain recently with no jacket.) Also, wear a pair of comfortable shoes.

Why attempt one? Corn is a staple in our lives. Not only do we eat it directly off the cob come fall, but chances are we consume it year-round in other types of foods, and we drive past corn fields when driving just minutes into the agricultural land that surrounds us. Why not pay tribute to what Indians referred to as gold growing from the ground?

To help you out, here’s a list of corn mazes local to Mokena:

• Corn Maize at the Fun Farm is new this year and worth supporting. From now through the end of October, this 15-acre maze in open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and costs $10, which includes a slew of other activities in the price, such as a petting zoo, pig races, hay rides and more. From above, the maze spells out “Odyssey Fun World Tinley Park” and displays the mascot, Chipper. Located at 19111 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, right across from Odyssey Fun World, it’s definitely close enough to check out.
• Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen is known for a lot of things, but as far as corn mazes go, they’ve stuck with simple. Their Crazy Corn Maizey is a little over three acres in size and has a stone path and wide walkways, great for small kids, elders and muddy days. According to the website, this maze is ideal for the youngsters who can’t make it through a mega maze. It is open through Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The price is $11.99 for adults and children over 11, which includes pig races, a fun barn, a haunted barn, a petting zoo and tons more.
• Butterprint Farm, located at 24936 S. 80th Ave. in Monee, provides a different location and design for their Scarecrow Corn Maze each year, making it a worthwhile attraction again and again. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and cost is $9 for adults and $6 for children. This includes the pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, hayrides, a museum and more.
• Heap's Giant Corn Maze at Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm, located in Minooka, is nice in the sense that admission to the farm is free. If you’re seeking a corn maze without all the other hoopla, this is your place. It only costs $3 a person and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through October. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult, according to the website. At night, you can undertake a completely different experience. On Friday and Saturday nights in October, from 7 to 11 p.m., you can brave Heap's Haunted Corn Maze, where live actors appear from the corn, much like a haunted house.
• Konow's Corn Maze offers two mazes, depending on what you’re looking for. For the daredevils in the family, try out the 3.5-mile maze that is as tricky and detailed as they come. For the youngsters or elders, there is a smaller maze less than a mile long. These mazes are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, now through Oct. 30.

Which will you test out first?