What Should I Wear to a Corn Maze? A Minnesota Farm Owner’s Guide
It’s fall in Minnesota, and you are about to head out to a corn maze, pumpkin patch, or sunflower field. But what should you wear?!
After eight years of working the ticket stand at Fresh Acres in Monticello, I have seen a lot when it comes to clothing — what has worked, what hasn’t, and what people have wished they had brought along the way.
This time of year is unpredictable here in Minnesota. You can check the forecast, you can make a plan, but the reality can be very different from what you expected.
So my advice? Be prepared for ANYTHING.
What to Wear to a Corn Maze? First, Dress in Layers
The forecast may say 80 degrees, but once you get out in the country, the morning can feel surprisingly chilly. There is less concrete and blacktop to hold all the heat, and the breeze can be stronger without as many buildings blocking it.
I recommend everyone bring a sweatshirt or jacket to start the day — and maybe even both, just to be prepared. Once the sun comes out and the kiddos start running around, those sweatshirts will probably come off and end up back in the car.
Our fall days can get very warm, too, so be prepared for that end of the spectrum. Short sleeves, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses can be a relief as the day starts to heat up. We have some shade on site, but the majority of Fresh Acres is in the sun.
On the flip side, as we start getting into October, and things start cooling off even more, you will want to be sure to bring hats, mittens, scarves, and warm socks. Again, you may need to bring them back to the car as the day warms, but it's always better to have them than not.
There have been many mornings when I have heard the "Ooooh, it's chilly this morning." So the key word here is layers. You can always take them off!
Let's Talk About Shoes
Shoes. Definitely bring them. 😊
We recommend something sturdy, like tennis shoes. Our ground is uneven — after all, it is a farm! Flip-flops and sandals are not practical. Can you make them work? Of course. But you definitely don’t want to blow out a flip-flop while you are wandering through the corn maze!
And while we are talking about shoes...
I LOVE grounding. There is nothing like walking around barefoot on the earth! But, with the exception of when you are in the inflatables or corn pit, please wear your shoes at all times while visiting Fresh Acres.
It is a working farm, and you just never know when a nail, piece of glass, sharp rock, or something else may pop out of the ground. We don’t want your footsies to get hurt, so please keep those shoes on.
What If It Rains?
The other thing to be prepared for is rain.
As long as the weather doesn’t involve thunder, lightning, severe weather, or heavy downpours, we will typically remain open — including when there is mist or a chance of spotty showers during the day.
But don’t just check the forecast for the day of your visit. Check what the weather was like the day before, too.
A beautiful sunny Saturday can still mean muddy conditions if we received a lot of rain on Friday.
Our property sits on clay soil, so when it rains, things can get muddy pretty quickly. If conditions are wet, we recommend rain boots if you have them or an older pair of tennis shoes.
This is NOT the day for your brand-new white sneakers.
And maybe grab a raincoat and an umbrella. A little rain doesn’t mean you can’t walk through a corn maze!
Bring a Change of Clothes for the Kids
While you probably won’t need them, a change of clothes may not be a bad idea — especially for the kiddos.
We have had several instances where kiddos who are fully potty trained get into the bounce houses, become completely distracted by all the fun, and, before you know it, have an accident.
If you want to avoid cutting the day short, throw an extra set of clothes in the car. Just in case.
The same goes for wet weather. We do our best to wipe down the inflatables after rain or a heavy morning dew, but there can still be lingering water hiding in the nooks and crannies.
And somehow, the adventurous kiddos ALWAYS seem to find it.
A dry shirt, pants, socks, and maybe even an extra pair of shoes can save the day.
Shorts, Pants, Skirts?
Any of them can work, depending on the weather and your preference.
Just remember you are walking through a cornfield. Corn leaves can be scratchy, and there may be weeds, grasses, and bugs along the way. If you or your kids have sensitive skin, lightweight pants or leggings may be more comfortable than shorts.
Another item of note — I have seen a lot of skirts and dresses walk through the door as well. While a skirt or dress may not be that much different than shorts, just be aware that if you decide to investigate the inflatables, get buried in the corn pit, or crawl up on the hay bales, a skirt or dress may not be very practical. Also, if it is super windy, the wrong skirt paired with a large gust of wind may leave you feeling a bit exposed. So while you are welcome to wear one, just be aware of some of the challenges.
What Should I Wear to the Sunflower Field?
A lot of the same principles apply to the sunflower field, but let's go back to shoes for a moment.
If you are going to get the whole family dressed up to come out for pictures, BRING your fancy shoes, but WEAR your practical shoes to the picture spot.
The sunflowers are planted in a farm field. The ground is uneven and definitely not conducive to heels or delicate sandals.
Wear your tennis shoes, boots, or Crocs through the field, pop on your cute shoes for the photos, and then change back before you start walking again.
And if you are wondering what colors look good with sunflowers, you really can’t go wrong with denim, cream, white, navy, burgundy, rust, olive, mustard, or other fall and earth tones. But wear whatever makes your family look and feel like your family.
The Fresh Acres "Just Throw It in the Car" List
If you are wondering what I would personally bring for a fall day at Fresh Acres, here is my list:
Tennis shoes, boots, or another sturdy pair of shoes
Sweatshirt and/or jacket
Short-sleeved shirt underneath
Hat and sunglasses
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Raincoat and umbrella if rain is possible
Extra clothes for young kids
Extra socks
Old shoes or rain boots if we have recently had rain
Fancy shoes to change into if you are taking family photos
If you are allergic to bees or other insect bites, bring any medication you normally carry
If you tend to be sensitive to pollen, dust, straw, etc., you may want to bring allergy medicine as well
You certainly don’t need to carry all of this around with you. One of the advantages of planning ahead is that you can leave the extras in your vehicle and grab them if you need them.
What About Strollers?
If you have a little one and want to bring a stroller, you certainly can, but the type of stroller makes a BIG difference.
Umbrella strollers generally do not work well on our property. Remember, you are visiting a farm, so you will be traveling over grass, dirt, and uneven ground. If you have a more robust stroller with larger tires, you may have better luck. But the best option we see is usually a larger wagon with good, sturdy tires.
According to my husband, Zeke, who spends a lot of time roaming the property during the season, he regularly sees parents pushing a stroller along, hitting a divot in the ground, and nearly launching the kiddo out of the stroller. That may sound a little dramatic, but you get the general idea. 😊
The good news is we don’t have a large, sprawling property where a stroller or wagon is absolutely necessary. But if your kiddo may be ready for a nap during the day — or may simply get tired of walking — having a good stroller or wagon along can definitely come in handy.
Minnesota fall weather likes to keep us guessing. It can be 45 degrees when you arrive, 70 degrees by lunchtime, windy in the corn maze, sunny in the pumpkin patch, and muddy from yesterday’s rain — all in the same visit.
With a little planning, and maybe by throwing a few different outfit combinations in the car, you can spend your day worrying about which way to turn in the corn maze instead of wishing you had brought a sweatshirt!
And most importantly, whatever you bring, be sure you bring it home with you! We end up with one heck of a lost and found full of sweatshirts, jackets, and other items, especially from the corn pit and inflatables, so don't forget your things. Anything not claimed at the end of the season is washed and donated to a local thrift store.
What did I miss? If you are a seasoned corn maze or pumpkin patch visitor, comment below with your own tips and tricks for what to wear or bring on a fall farm adventure!
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