Living in Minnesota, our kids have gone through their fair share of corn mazes.  Some, like Sever’s Corn Maze in Shakopee are commercial ventures.  Others are part of orchards or other fall-fun venues, or agricultural museums like Farmamerica.

But even though we’ve been to several corn mazes, that didn’t stop us from tackling one in Iowa.  On a beautiful late-summer day, what better way to enjoy the weather than with a run through a corn maze?

We found our maze near Elgin, Iowa.  The Country Heritage Community Maize Maze exists not just for fun, but to educate people about the agricultural heritage of the area.

In the 3.5 acre maze, paths are cut into the 12-foot-high corn.  Your goal as you navigate the maze is to find twelve mailboxes that contain answers to a quiz you receive upon entering the maze.  This year’s theme is “electrifying,” and along the way you’ll learn about both agriculture and energy conservation.  If you manage to find all of the answers and find your way out of the maze, a prize awaits you at the end.  Don’t worry, they give you a map so you have a chance at finding your way out again.

The corn maze is the main attraction, but there are several other activities that kids will enjoy.  My seven-year-old enjoyed the rope maze and other small but challenging mazes on the site, and our kids liked having the chance to pick their own Indian corn and popcorn from the fields adjacent to the maze.

While visiting the Maize Maze, you may also want to wander across the road to the Gilbertson Conservation area, where there’s a petting zoo, farm tool museum, and more.  Our kids liked seeing the different animal mounts (including a bear!) in the visitor center.  If you visit the Gilbertson visitor center, be sure to take your National Parks passport to have it stamped with the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area stamp.

Families will enjoy the Maize Maze, but it’s also an excellent field trip destination for school or community groups in east central and northeast Iowa, and even southern Minnesota.  If you’d like to schedule your group for a field trip, they’d be more than happy to have you!

The Maize Maze is located just east of Elgin, Iowa.  If you get anywhere near Elgin, there will be signs to direct you.  For more information or to schedule a field trip, there are details at the city of Elgin’s website for all the Maize Maze information you need.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS