When it comes to all things fall, corn mazes are on every family’s list. It’s a chance to be outside, solve a puzzle as a family and enjoy all the perks farms have to offer during the harvest season. So if you’re looking for your next fall adventure, take the kids to one of these Boston corn mazes on a sunny day.
Marini Farm
For an educational and interactive maze, head to Marini Farm. The 8-acre corn maze, that takes about 90 minutes to complete, puts families in the middle of an interactive game. You get the game sheet before heading in and then seek out answers at 18 different stations as you make your way through the maze. If you’ve got tots, the one-acre mini maze (that takes about 20 minutes to complete) is a great alternative. Once you’ve made it through, it’s time for hayrides, tube slides, duck races, cow trains and a 70-foot jumping pillow that’s irresistible to kids.
Good to know: Flashlight nights are Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 6 p.m.
Insider tip: Families will find a few new activities this year including two play structures, one fire engine themed the other a tractor. Plus, Farm Basketball.
Dates: Now through Oct. 31, 2021
Hours: Fri., 6-10:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Plus Mon., Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $15/person; Free, kids under 2 (with paying adult)
259 Linebrook Rd.
Ipswich, MA
978-356-0430
Online: marinifarm.com
Hanson's Farm
Just west of the city, you’ll find Hanson’s Farm and the 4.5-acre corn maze that’s a fun challenge for kids of all ages. On weekends, families can hitch a hayride to the field to make it extra special. No matter when you visit, everyone will get to see the farm animals and take one home sugar pumpkin for each person in the group (both are include with maze admission). The ice cream bus is usually open when the maze is, so don’t forget to stop by before heading home.
Good to know: Hanson’s popular Haunted Hayride is not running this year.
Insider tip: As an added bonus, make your way through the sunflower maze. As of publication, the sunflowers are starting to bloom and will hopefully be ready to go in October for some extra photo opp fun.
Dates: Now through Oct. 31, 2021
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cost: $15/Adults; $10/Kids, 6-12; Free, kids 5 & under
20 Nixon Rd.
Framingham, MA
508-877-3058
Online: hansonsfarmframingham.com
Sauchuk's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Plan a full day at this farm that’s south of the city. You’ll find everything you need to keep the kids outside and active including two fantastic corn mazes and a pumpkin patch. After you’ve had your fill of these fall farm staples, it’s time to ride the cow and bee trains, bounce on the jumping pillow, race ducks, play on the zip lines and jump in the corn boxes. Pick up a few apple cider donuts before heading home and call it a win.
Insider tip: Put the High Flying Dog Show and Princess Storytime on your calendar for added fun at the farm.
Dates: Weekends, Sep. 18-Oct. 31, 2021
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; plus Fri, Oct. 8, 1-6 p.m.; Mon. Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Only open until 4 p.m. on Halloween.
Cost: $19/person at the gate; $17/person online; Free, kids 2 & under.
200 Center St.
Plympton, MA
781-585-1522
Online: sauchukmaze.com
Davis Mega Maze BBQ & Brews
This year at the Davis Mega Maze, Waldo’s on the loose and your job is to find him among the 8-acres and 3-miles of puzzling pathways in the maze. This corn maze is known for its complexity, so plan to be in there a while (there’s a reason porta-potties and a snack shack are in the maze). If you get stuck, just look for a Maze Master to point you in the right direction. What makes this maze a bit different is its gamer appeal. You’ll find games within the maze too—like the slingshots, hammer bells, field goal kick, Kids Quest and more. And tech features like Mobile Mazing and Geo Questing set Davis Mega Maze apart from the rest.
Insider tip: Beyond the maze, families can enjoy zip lines, laser tag, cannon blasters and a paintball shooting gallery. Just pick up your tickets at the ticket booth.
Dates: Weekends, Oct. 2-24, 2021; plus Mon., Oct. 8
Hours: Sat., 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: TBD; Free, kids under 5
142 Redstone Hill
Sterling, MA
978-422-8888
Online: davismegamaze.com
Crescent Farms
The 15-acre corn maze at Crescent Farms is one of our favorites for families with little kids in tow. While the maze is challenging, it’s not overwhelming, and there’s an exit halfway through if your kiddos are getting tired of the twists, turns and dead ends. Plan to take about 40 minutes to complete this puzzle. If your tots are dead-set on a hayride with their corn maze experience, Crescent Farms offers scenic rides on the weekends.
Dates: Daily, Sep. 10-Oct. 31, 2021
Hours: Weekdays, noon-9 p.m.; Weekends, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $8/person
150 Willow Ave.
Bradford, MA
Online: crescentfarm.com
West End Creamery
The folks at West End Creamery are ready to take families out to the ballgame with a Worcester Red Sox-themed maze to celebrate the WooSox inaugural season. It’s sure to be a hit with your baseball-loving crew. They’ll also love the pedal carts, wagon rides, cow train, barnyard jump and corn crib—all hot spots for tots. If you’ve got older kids (or kids who want a challenge) Fridays are light maze nights on the farm. Bring your flashlight and see if you’ve got what it takes to make it through the maze. When all is said and done, stop by the Creamery to get some ice cream. Your little navigators have earned it!
Insider tip: Add something different to your corn maze experience with a pony ride ($6).
Dates: Sep. 25-Oct. 31, 2021
Hours: Fri., 3-9 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Cost: $15/person; Free, kids under 36”
481 Purgatory Rd.
Whitinsville, MA
508-234-2022
Online: westendcreamery.com
Navigating Corn Mazes in the time of COVID:
1. Please remember to check COVID policy and safety for each farm before visiting so you know what to expect.
2. Some of these farms require advanced tickets for corn mazes and other farm activities. Be sure you’ve got yours before heading out.
Tips & Tricks for a Successful Experience:
1. Last entry into the corn maze is usually an hour before closing, so plan accordingly. Many corn mazes have an estimated time for completion that’ll help you choose the right one for your fam.
2. Remember to wear sturdy shoes, especially on little feet. Corn maze fields can be muddy and are usually uneven. Pack sunscreen on a sunny day and water bottles just in case.
3. Babies in backpacks or carriers usually work better than babies in strollers as you wind your way around the narrow, uneven paths of the corn maze.
4. The buddy system is always key and pairing an adult with each group of kids is a fail-proof way to make it out of the maze without tears. That is, unless, your kids are better at getting through the maze than you are, in which case, the tears may be on your part!
5. Nighttime corn mazes can be super fun or super scary, depending on your kiddo. Maybe save this one for a date night.
6. Teach older kids to use the sun position to keep themselves oriented in the maze–have them take notes of where the sun is when they enter the maze (at their back, for instance) and hopefully it will help them from going in circles or doing unnecessary back-tracking as they go.
Good to know: Many of Boston’s U-pick pumpkin patches also offer fun mazes. Check out our Pumpkin Patch Guide for even more a-maze-ing options!
—Allison Sutcliffe
RELATED STORIES:
Carve Out Fun at Boston’s Best Pumpkin Patches
10 Wacky Facts about Boston We Bet You Didn’t Know
Pint-Sized Fun! Our Favorite Fall Classes for Toddlers (& Babies)
