Never underestimate the power of a determined preschooler. It’s a lesson I learned last weekend when our family visited our local corn maze. Rather than get happily lost amongst the stalks in the Kiddie Corn Maze my daughter wanted to roam through the real deal-—more than 3 acres and 2 miles of trails. Did I say roam? I meant lead. The 4-year-old insisted on leading our group of friends (the most good natured friends who possess the patience of saints) through an Amazing Maize maze, carved out of corn stalks five times her height. It took us a while, but we made it out… before darkness fell, and amazingly we had a ton of fun in the process (especially the 4-year-old).
Corn mazes are a popular source of family entertainment this time of year. Most are located on local farms with sizes ranging from gigantic-—Pennsylvania’s Cherry Crest Adventure Farm boasts the nation’s biggest, at five acres and 3 miles of trails—-to miniature—-ideal for families who don’t want to stare at corn stalks for the entire day. Most of the larger corn mazes provide maps or guides for assistance. And for families with older children who enjoy a challenge, some corn mazes offer nighttime navigation whereby you explore the fields with just the aid of a single flashlight.
Most of the farms that house corn mazes also feature other on-site activities. For example, the one we visited also offered hayrides along foliage-lined trails, a petting zoo, and shopping, courtesy of a converted loft that sold handmade holiday quilts, ornaments and other arts-and-crafts along with hot apple cider donuts and fresh caramel apples. Other farms get into the spirit by converting barns into haunted houses and pumpkin patches into playgrounds complete with giant hay bale slides, tire swings, and pint-sized tractors.
Michele Cheplic writes about red-hot celebrities in POP CULTURE, fiery topics in PARENTS, sizzling recipes in FOOD, calorie burning exercises in FITNESS, and hot new kid-friendly crafts in FUN. Check out all of her articles here.
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