The path to fun: Mazes becoming popular

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MAPLE PARK – The path goes to the left, then careens to the right, then zig-zag-zig-zag - oops! We’re lost!

No worries. If you get stuck in the five-acre amaizing corn maze at Kuipers Family Farm, there’s a helper on a bridge to get you turned the right way.

The third annual corn maze opens 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the farm, 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park. The maze will be open weekends through Oct. 26, and on Columbus Day, Oct. 13.

Kim Kuipers, who owns the farm with her husband, said they wanted to add an other aspect to the farm for tweens and teens.

“Apple-picking attracts families. The pumpkin farm is for families with children. But families with older children come looking for something else to do than apple-picking,” Kuipers said.

Kuipers said the idea was popular, bringing out 4,000 people the first year and 7,000 last year.

The maze will feature puzzles, music, porta-potties and information about corn and corn products.

“We hope by the time you’ve spent an hour in the maze, you’ve learned a little something about corn,” Kuipers said. “It’s in just about every product around – toothpaste, corrugated cardboard, pizza crust, ethanol, corn syrup and crayons.”

Other area farms offer will also offer corn mazes, beginning later this month:

 – Tom’s Farm Market & Greenhouse, 10214 Route 20, Elgin, 847-697-2538, Oct. 1-31

 – Wiltse Farm Produce & Greenhouse, 50W379 Route 38, Maple Park, 815-827-3575. Sept. 13-Oct. 26

Two farms offer cornstalk mazes for young children:

 – Windy Acres Farm, 37W466 Fabyan Parkway, Geneva, 630-232-6429 orwww.windyacresfarmstand.com

 – Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center

40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, 847-428-6727, www.pumpkinfarms.com/

One farm offers a straw maze and corn tunnel:

 – Norton Farm, 39W369 Route 64, St. Charles, 630-377-8118

If you go:

What: Kuipers Family Farm, 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park, opens its corn maze for the season

When: 10 to 6 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Admission is $8, $2 for seniors, children 2 and under are free. Children 10 and younger must be admitted with a paying adult.

More info: 815-827-5200 or  www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com/