Updated September 21, 2026 · Chicago-area day trips
Two farms, two different ways to spend the day
| Choose | For this kind of outing | Watch the budget |
|---|---|---|
| Jonamac · Malta | Picking, flowers and a maze in one farm visit | Weekend entry, picked produce and token activities are separate costs |
| Kuipers · Maple Park | A full day built around farm attractions | Check which orchard and FunFarm areas your ticket covers |
Jonamac: apples, pumpkins and a corn maze
Address: 19412 Shabbona Road, Malta. The farm currently lists apple picking seven days a week and a September 19 pumpkin-patch opening. Weekend general admission is listed at $10–$12 per person, with online advance discounts. A half-peck apple bag is listed at $16 for up to four people per bag, in addition to required weekend admission. Patch pumpkins are listed as two for $20; pre-picked pumpkins are priced by size.
Some activities use $2.50 tokens, with ten for $20. Decide which extras matter before buying a bundle. Jonamac weekend admission and picking options ↗
Our choice: make this one full farm visit rather than pairing it with a second admission-heavy attraction. For a group that wants several different things, let each person choose one priority before arrival. The maze can be the main activity for older children, while a shorter picking session may suit a mixed-age group better.
Sunflowers: choose the right day and check the bouquet price
Jonamac's flower page says field access is available on weekends, with viewing included in general admission and cut flowers charged separately. It lists sunflowers, zinnias and cosmos. The page says sunflowers are $3 per bloom or six for $12, while its weekend overview lists a different six-flower bundle. Confirm the bundle price at the picking building rather than treating either as a guaranteed checkout total.
A flower field being open does not mean every variety is at its best. Ask specifically about sunflower bloom before making a long drive for photos. Current flower-field access and bloom information ↗
Kuipers: plan around the attractions you will actually use
Address: 1N145 Watson Road, Maple Park. The farm's Fall Harvest Fest is listed for September 18–November 1, with U-Pic Apple Orchard, Pumpkin FunFarm and bakery offerings. The 2026 ticket listings distinguish orchard admission from FunFarm admission and include separate add-on options.
Before buying: choose your day and read the included areas, age rules and final fees. Do not assume that a pumpkin-themed pass also pays for apple picking. A current verified sunflower bloom window is not established here, so Kuipers is not presented as a guaranteed late-September sunflower stop. Kuipers current calendar and ticket choices ↗
A recent visitor comparison favored Kuipers for the amount to do but described busy-day chaos and higher spending as trade-offs. That is useful context, not a promise that either farm will be quiet. Choose the larger activity day if you have the time and appetite for it; choose the simpler plan if the fruit and scenery are your priorities.
A family budget that includes the extras
Worked Jonamac example: assume four people each need a $10–$12 weekend entry, plus one $16 apple bag and the listed two-pumpkin offer at $20. That is $76–$84 before any tax or checkout fees, food, transport, flowers or paid rides. This is arithmetic using listed components, not a reserved package.
Set a separate “extras” amount before arriving. If you only want apples, ask whether a weekday visit changes admission and activity access; do not simply reuse a weekend price. For a toddler, more attractions do not automatically mean more usable activities. Check height, age and supervision rules before choosing an upgrade.
A realistic September 26–27 plan
- The night before: check crop updates, weather and the ticket calendar. Screenshot the ticket and correct farm address.
- Arrival: confirm field availability and pick the priority crop first. Save time for the field walk, not just the picking itself.
- After a break: do the maze or play activities, with a clear family meeting point and a limit on optional purchases.
- Before departure: collect pumpkins and take-home food when practical. Leave enough trunk space for produce and muddy shoes.
Wear shoes that can get dirty, bring a change for children, and keep a reusable bag or tray in the car to protect the interior. Follow the farm's picking-container rules; your own shopping bag may not be an approved orchard container.
Turning the day into a weekend
If you are visiting from out of town, compare a base near the farm route with a Chicago city stay. Include rental-car parking and the next day's destination. Staying overnight is optional; a local family should not need a hotel simply to enjoy a farm day.
Explore a Great Lakes foliage weekend →
Sources and visitor context
Farm listings checked September 21, 2026. Jonamac's current farm update and Kuipers' 2026 ticket categories support the planning details. A September 2026 visitor comparison informed the activity-versus-crowd trade-off; opinions are not operating guarantees.