A few tips: Before selecting a pumpkin patch, families should decide how far they want to travel, if they want to pick their own or choose from preselected pumpkins, and what else they might want to do on their pumpkin patch excursion.

Also, many farms offer hayrides to the pumpkin patch, but the patch might be muddy or vine-covered, so parents with young children should check to see if the pumpkin patch is stroller-friendly. 

Pumpkin Patches Near Chicago: North

1. Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm - Waukegan, IL

Why we love it: Kroll's tries to focus on education, with narration about gourds, pollination, crop rotation, and more during hay rides.

Kroll’s has a variety of pumpkins pre-picked and priced in rows for convenience. Find any size, shape, or color for decorating, carving, or baking. Get into the fall spirit with gourds, Indian corn, mini-pumpkins, straw bales, and corn stalk bundles available for purchase. Families can also weave through a corn maze and visit farm animals such as goats, donkeys, sheep, chickens, and turkeys. 

RELATED: Great Fall Day Trips for Chicago Families  

Pick a pumpkin and then enjoy a day of activities at Patch 22, a pumpkin patch near Chicago.

2. Patch 22 - Wadsworth, IL

Why we love it: Patch 22 has the cutest animals in its petting zoo. You can also pay a little extra for a pony ride!

Thousands of farm-grown pumpkins in many varieties are available at this pun-named working family farm, open weekends through October with a charge per car for admission. When families finish picking pumpkins, they can enjoy a pony ride in which the parents walk the pony around a large open pasture. 

Pumpkin Patches Near Chicago: Northwest

 
Pick pumpkins or apples at All Seasons Orchard. Photo courtesy of All Seasons Orchard

3. All Seasons Orchard - Woodstock, IL

Why we love it: Buy a season pass for $49 to keep coming back to the orchards 30+ farmtractions.

Pick pumpkins straight off the vine at this northwest suburban patch that also includes several barnyard attractions. A ticket to the barnyard buys admission to the pumpkin patch as well as a corn maze, petting zoo, bunny village, giant swing, goat bridge, duck races, and a bee observation station. Families can complete the festive fall fun with apple picking. 

4. Cody's Farm and Orchard - Marengo, IL

Why we love it: Some attractions, like hay rides, the corn play box, and the play tractor, are FREE.

Families can choose their own adventure at Cody’s Farm: Take a free hayride to the pumpkin patch for a pumpkin of any size, then return to the farm for FREE kid's activities that include a corn playbox, sandbox, and play tractor. Upgrade to additional activities with a wristband that gets kids into the rubber duck races, barrel rides, corn maze, pedal tractor play track, and barrel roll.

Families can buy fall foods like apple cider donuts, pulled pork sandwiches, and pie, or fall decorations like pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, and mums. 

5. Dave's Pumpkins - Huntley, IL

Why we love it: No parking fees or admission fees! 

Families can get their money’s worth at this northwest suburban farm. In addition to picking pumpkins, families can take part in pumpkin bowling using a pumpkin as a ball, as well as antique pedal tractor riding and hayrides to celebrate the season. A mini sunflower maze entertains small children who might not be big enough for a corn maze yet. 

6. Didier Farms - Lincolnshire, IL

Why we love it: Didier Farms has a some unique attractions including the silly string asylum and free live agriculture game show.

At Didier Farms’ Pumpkinfest, kids can explore a variety of unusual pumpkins in the farm’s pumpkin patch, or buy tickets to participate in activities and take rides around the farm. Pumpkins are sold by the pound and include unique varieties such as munchkins, magic lanterns, mystics, Cinderella, Lumina, Casper, wee be little, and knuckleheads. Fun activities include pig races, a silly string asylum, hayrides, a dragon wagon, and a corn maze. 

7. Goebbert's Farm - South Barrington, IL

Why we love it: Goebbert's Pumpkin Eating Dinosaur and Pig Races are adorable and hilarious.

Goebbert’s Farm is the go-to place for farm fun on the northwest side. This action-packed farm boasts miles of parks, bounce houses, rides, corn mazes, pig races, interactive exhibits, games, and more. Pick pumpkins, and apples, or run through the sprawling corn maze. Check the website to see which activities are available when you plan your visit. 

RELATED: Great Places to Hike With Kids Near Chicago

Kids can wander the fields at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. 

8. Richardson's Adventure Farm - Spring Grove, IL

Why we love it: Richardson's boasts an enormous corn maze with 9-10 miles of paths running throughout its four sections. This year, it's Back to the Future-themed.

Families can come for the pumpkins and stay for the adventure at Richardson’s, which has a free wagon ride to take visitors to the pumpkin patch on weekends. Farm-goers can pick from thousands of pumpkins and gourds in breeds such as superior, Cinderella, Atlantic giant, baby boo, crunckin, and birdhouse gourds. Some are pre-picked for families with smaller kids, and more adventurous families can pick straight off the vine.

The farm also boasts the “World’s Largest Corn Maze,” where visitors can play games and look over other maze runners in a 50-foot observation tower. Once you find the exit, head straight for the carousel and wagon rides.  

9. Royal Oak Farm Orchard- Harvard, IL

Why we love it: Royal Oak has the country's only apple tree maze!

Families can grab a wheelbarrow and head to the U-pick pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins, gourds, and winter squash. The orchard offers more than a dozen varieties for decorating, carving, or making pies. Visitors can also select pre-picked pumpkins from the Harvest Barn, or purchase trees for growing fruits such as apples or pears. Royal Oak also has an apple tree maze with over 3,000 apple trees and nine varieties of apples. 

10. Stade's Farm and Market- McHenry, IL

Why we love it: You can almost always pick multiple things at Stade's — look for pumpkins, apples, raspberries, tomatoes, peppers, flowers, beets, potatoes, and onions!

Families can ride out to the pumpkin patch on the farm’s tractor to pick pumpkins. Pumpkins in the patch range from 1 to 200 pounds and come in colors such as orange, white, blue, green, pink, and yellow. Besides the many pumpkins for carving, the farm also offers pumpkin varieties specifically grown for seed roasting or pie-making. After picking pumpkins, families can find a variety of other fruits and veggies to pick.

There are so many fun things to do at this pumpkin patch that it's hard to decide where to start. Dig in the giant sandbox, roam the corn maze, ride the barrel train or Ferris Wheel, play tetherball, ride the zipline, enjoy the play barn, and so much more. 

Pumpkin Patches West of Chicago

 
Visit this 40-acre pumpkin patch near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Abbey Farms

11. Abbey Farms - Aurora, IL

Why we love it: Abbey Farms hosts live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in its craft beer and wine tent!

This 40-acre pumpkin farm owned by the monks of Marmion Abbey celebrates Pumpkin Daze from September through late October. Families can pick pumpkins and enjoy Kane County’s largest corn maze, a petting zoo, a log balance beam course, a bouncing cow train, a zip line, potato sack races, a jumping pillow, a tractor, and a hayride wagon, a lasso challenge, and antique tractors.

A little perk for parents: Adults can get a to-go craft beer alongside the family meal from Tumbleweed Grill.

12. Jonamac Orchard- Malta, IL

Why we love it: The recently updated play area has the biggest corn play area we've ever seen!

Along with its reputation for offering a wide variety of apples, this orchard boasts a 12-acre pumpkin patch. Jonamac’s pumpkin patch offers special activities during Harvest Days in September and October. The orchard also has a bounty of activities in its barnyard area, including a new climbing wall, duck races, a trike track, and more. The fun for big kids continues after dark with "The Haunt," a chilling haunted maze adventure, and other activities.

 
No admission fees at Keller's pumpkin patch. Photo courtesy of Keller's Farmstand

13. Keller's Farmstand- Oswego, IL

Why we love it: Keller's has a variety of large play structures, including an ark, a pirate ship, and a castle, plus free wagon rides.

​The Keller family has been growing pumpkins since the 1800s and does not charge admission to enter its pumpkin patch. Keller’s experts can help select the best large pumpkins for jack-o'-lanterns or small pumpkins for making pies at their Oswego farm stand. Pre-picked pumpkins are also available, and don't miss the fall-themed attractions such as hayrides, apple picking, farm animal visits, pedal tractors, and corn play bins.

14. Kuipers Family Farm - Maple Park, IL

Why we love it: A pumpkin is included in your admission fee!

A pumpkin is included in the price of each admission at Kuiper’s Family Farm. Kids and grown-ups can select one from the massive 71-acre pumpkin patch. Admission also includes a corn maze, gourd arbor, hay wagon ride, jumping pillow, petting zoo, pig races, and a tractor train ride. 

15. Sonny Acres farm - West Chicago, IL

Why we love it: Sonny Acres is a shorter drive from the west side and western suburbs than most pumpkin farms.

Take a trip to Sonny Acres Farm for a small, family-owned farm atmosphere. Here, pumpkins from the patch are sold by weight, and kids can enjoy a number of other attractions, including a petting zoo, hayride, pumpkin patch spin ride, photo booth, camel ride, and funhouse. Its fall festival begins in the second half of September.

Older kids will love the "Curse of the Scarecrow Haunted Barn" attraction and haunted hayrides.

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Fest is stroller and wagon-friendly.

Pumpkin Patches Southwest of Chicago

16. Bengston's Pumpkin Fest- Homer Glen, IL

Why we love it: There are 14 mechanical rides, including roller coasters, at this fall fun farm.

Bengtson’s 40-year-old southwest suburban pumpkin patch offers a stroller- and wagon-friendly environment for little kids and their families. Jack-o'-lantern pumpkins straight from the vine are priced by the pound, or pie pumpkins can be picked for a set price. Wheelbarrows are available to rent for families looking for big loads of pumpkins.

After picking their pumpkins, kids can enjoy hayrides, a tractor town, mega slides, a gemstone and arrowhead mining sluice, pony rides, a petting zoo, and even a roller coaster that coasts in and out of a barn! 

17. Dollinger Family Farm- Channahon, IL

Why we love it: In addition to pumpkin picking, kids can enjoy free events like farm story times and meet and greets with wildlife experts and favorite characters.

Whether your family is looking for a pumpkin to carve, decorate, or bake in a pie, you can find it at Dollinger. The pumpkin prices vary by size. The farm features pumpkins in a variety of colors, sizes, and textures. Families can also enjoy refreshments from Grandpa John’s Donuts or Grandma Dollinger’s Fudge. Work your way through the corn maze, play on the farm-themed playground, and visit with farm animals.

RELATED: Best Farms for Family Fun and Entertainment in Chicago

As the name implies, Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm is home to some giants. 

18. Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm- Minooka, IL

Why we love it: If you like big pumpkins and you cannot lie, go to Heap's.

​The “giant” in this farm’s name describes the pumpkins, one of which, in 2013, grew to more than 730 pounds! The farm boasts 90 varieties in different textures and colors. Admission to the farm is FREE, and for a fee, families can enjoy a fun barn, home cooking, a corn maze, and fall decorations for purchase.

19. Johansen Farms - Bolingbrook, IL

Why we love it: Johansen Farms hosts fun kids' events, like trick-or-treating at the petting zoo and scout nights.

More than 25,000 pumpkins are available for picking at Johansen Farms and Children’s Zoo. For a single admission fee, families can see animals, ride ponies, enjoy a hayride, slide down huge slides, play mini-golf, and more. Pie and donuts are also available for purchase. 

 
This pumpkin patch near Chicago is full of photo ops. Photo courtesy of Odyssey Fun Farm

20. Odyssey Fun Farm - Tinley Park, IL

Why we love it: You can follow the Yellow Brick Road to all of the attractions!

Families can select the perfect pumpkin from thousands in Odyssey Fun Farm’s pumpkin patch. Wagons are available to rent to haul especially large pumpkins to the car. A pumpkin house makes a perfect backdrop for fall family pictures. Kids can enjoy hayrides, a corn maze, corn cannons, and a kids zone with inflatables and a carousel. 

21. Siegel's Cottonwood Farm - Lockport, IL

Why we love it: A whopping 45 attractions are included in the admission price.

Dozens of attractions accompany the U-Pick pumpkin patch at Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm. After selecting a pumpkin off the vine, kids can enjoy visits with pumpkin princesses, play in a corn crib, and take pony and camel rides. You can also play pumpkin checkers or tic-tac-toe, climb aboard a grain train, visit an authentic Native American tipi, and play in kid-sized birdhouses. 

Pumpkin Patches in Wisconsin

Take a road trip to Lake Geneva and hit this pumpkin patch at the same time. Photo courtesy of Pearce's Farm Stand

22. Pearce's Farm Stand-Walworth, WI

Why we love it: This is a great place to stop on the way back from a weekend trip to Wisconsin.

You'll find Pearce's Farm Stand near Lake Geneva, just over the Wisconsin state line. Pearce's offers U-pick pumpkins, and wagons full of pre-picked large and small pumpkins in different varieties. Grab a wagon and choose your pumpkin or take a free hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick your own. In addition to pumpkin picking, Pearce's offers a hay barrel maze for kids to jump and climb on.

There's live music, a corn maze, a tractor slide, and a play area. There are cute pumpkin photo opportunities on the farm stand and in the pumpkin patch and corn maze. You'll find plenty to eat with pumpkin treats, apple cider, concessions, fresh vegetables, and more. Pumpkin Fest takes place one weekend in October, so if you do go that weekend, get ready for all things pumpkin. 

Pumpkin Patches in Indiana

23. County Line Orchard - Hobart, IN

Why we love it: Kids can learn about pollination at the Bee Yurts!

Families can cross the state line into Indiana for U-Pick pumpkins at County Line Orchard. A pumpkin house in the middle of the patch offers a great opportunity for pictures. The orchard also has apples, bee yurts, sunflowers, a corn maze, and barnyard jams on the weekend. Families can book a campfire for s’mores near the apples and pumpkins on the weekends. 

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the farms