Pack up the kids and head to pumpkin patch for some photo-worthy fun

COMPILED BY ANNIE ALLEMAN | FOR SUN-TIMES MEDIA

Fall, to many of us, is hands-down, the best time of the year.

And one key ingredient in your recipe for a picture-perfect autumn is visiting a pumpkin farm. There are many in the area to choose from, and most all of them offer additional amenities that make them October destinations.

Because it’s not just about picking out a pumpkin. It’s about winding your way through a corn maze, checking out the animals in the petting zoo, jumping on the inflatables and Instagraming pics of the kids on a hay rack ride.

Here’s a roundup of area pumpkin farms. Make sure you check the farm’s website — many offer coupons, and also spell out the rules on pets, strollers, credit cards and outside food.

Abbey Farms of Marmion Abbey: open to Oct. 28, 850 Butterfield Road, Aurora. (630) 897-6936, Abbeyfarms.org.

All Seasons Apple Orchard: open to Nov. 2, 14510 Illinois Route 176, Woodstock. (815) 338-5637, visit Allseasonsorchard.com.

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm: open to Oct. 30, 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen. (708) 301-3276, visit pumpkinfarm.com.

The Children’s Farm at the Center: Pumpkin Days activities weekends only to Oct. 26, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park. (708) 361-3650, visit Thecenterpalos.org.

Didier Farms: open to Oct. 31, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. (847) 634-3291, visit Didierfarms.com.

Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm: open to Oct. 31, 42W813 Reinking Road, Hampshire. (847) 464-5952, visit Pumpkinfarms.com.

Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm: open to Oct. 31, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, (847) 428-6727. Pumpkinfarms.com.

Johansen Farms: open to Oct. 31, 710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. (630) 759-8711, visit Johansenfarms.com.

Keller’s Farmstand: weekends only to Oct. 26, 2500 Johnson Road, Oswego. (630) 554-1325, visit Kellersfarmstand.com.

Konow’s Corn Maze: open to Oct. 31, 16849 S. Cedar Road, Homer Glen. (708) 301-8845, visit Konowscornmaze.com.

Kuipers Family Farm: open to Oct. 31, 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park. (815) 827-5200, visit Kuipersfamilyfarm.com.

Larson’s Family Farm: open weekends to Oct. 26, 4404 Somonauk Road, Sandwich. (815) 786-2249. Larsonfamilyfarm.com.

Norton’s Hollow: open to Oct. 31, 39W369 Illinois Highway 64, St. Charles. (630) 377-8118, visit Nortonsproduce.com.

Odyssey Fun Farm: open to Nov. 1, 19112 S Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park. (708) 429-3800, visit Odysseyfunfarm.com.

Pumpkin Patch at Lincoln Park: Oct. 4, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago. (312) 742-7726, visit Chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/october2014.

Pumpkin Patch at Indian Boundary Park: Oct. 5, 2500 W. Lunt Ave., Chicago. (773) 764-0338, visit Chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/october2014.

Pumpkin Patch at Skinner Park: Oct. 18, 1331 W. Monroe St., Chicago. (312) 746-5560, visit Chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/october2014.

Pumpkin Patch at Shabbona Park: Oct. 19, 6935 W. Addison St., Chicago. (773) 685-6205, visit Chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/october2014.

Pumpkin Patch at Gage Park: Oct. 19, 2411 W. 55th St. Chicago. (312) 747-6147, visit Chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/october2014.

Pumpkin Patch at Horner Park: Oct. 25, 2741 W. Montrose Ave. Chicago. (773) 478-3499, visit Chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/october2014.

Pumpkin Patch at Hayes Park: Oct. 25, 2936 W. 85th St. Chicago. (312) 747-6177, visit Chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/october2014.

Pumpkin Patch at Portage Park: Oct. 26, 4100 N. Long Ave., Chicago. (773) 685-7235, visit Chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/october2014.

Siegel’s Cottonwood Farms: open to Nov. 1, 17250 S. Weber Road, Crest Hill. (800) 304-3276, visit ourpumpkinfarm.com.

Sonny Acres Farm: open to Oct. 31, 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago. (630) 231-3859, visit Sonnyacres.com.

Windy Acres Farmstand: open to Nov. 2, 37W446 Fabyan Parkway, Geneva. (630) 232-6429, visit Windyacresfarmstand.com.

Annie Alleman is a local freelance writer.