Maryland in autumn is a feast for the senses. The leaves transform into blazing colors, the air takes on its crisp October chill, and farms across the state burst alive with pumpkins, hayrides, and just the right dose of Halloween fun. If you’re planning to pack the kids into the car (or just want a nostalgic pumpkin-patch Instagram photo yourself—no judgment), you’ve landed in the right spot.

I’ve created this mega-list of Maryland’s best family-friendly Halloween attractions for 2025—from classic pumpkin patches and petting zoos to corn mazes and lightly spooky haunts tailored for kids. Each attraction includes what to expect, recommended age groups, and most importantly, direct links to official websites so you can double-check dates, tickets, and pumpkin supply status before you go.

Grab your cozy sweater and an apple cider donut—it’s about to get festive.

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🍁 1. Butler’s Orchard – Germantown, MD

👉 https://www.butlersorchard.com

Why it’s a must-visit: Butler’s Orchard has practically written the playbook on family fall fun in Maryland. Their Pumpkin Festival is legendary and draws families from across the state every October.

Highlights:

• Pumpkin Patch: Pick your own gourds straight from the vine. Size matters here—you’ll see tiny palm-sized pumpkins and ones hefty enough to serve as a workout.
• Hayrides: Scenic hayrides loop around the orchard, giving kids that “farm life” feel without the actual barn chores.
• Corn Maze: Big enough to get lost for a few minutes, but not so intimidating that your toddler will start a rebellion.
• Slides & Playgrounds: Giant slides, pedal tractors, and a “corn box” (think sandbox, but with corn kernels!) are available.
• Food: Don’t miss their apple cider donuts or their farm-fresh kettle corn.

Best for Ages: All ages! This is the perfect “whole family” experience. Younger kids love the activities, while older ones still get a kick out of the maze and farm games.

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🎃 2. Gaver Farm – Mount Airy, MD

👉 https://www.gaverfarm.com

Why it’s a must-visit: If Maryland farms ever held a contest for “Most Fun Per Square Foot,” Gaver Farm would be in the running. Their Fall Fun Festival turns the entire farm into a wonderland of seasonal entertainment.

Highlights:

• Pumpkin Patch: Acres of pumpkins ready to be picked. Pro tip: wagons are provided but limited—snag one early.
• Fall Fun Festival Field: Over 60 attractions including pedal carts, corn bins, giant jumping pillows, a petting zoo, and giant slides.
• Corn Maze: Each year they debut a new themed seven-acre corn maze. Expect to spend 30–45 minutes if you’re ambitious.
• Café & Sweet Treats: Grab some caramel apples or hot cider between activities.

Best for Ages: Children 2–12 will absolutely thrive here, but honestly teens and parents usually end up racing through the pedal carts too.

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🍂 3. Summers Farm – Frederick, MD

👉 https://www.summersfarm.com

Why it’s a must-visit: Summers Farm is like fall’s amusement park—tons of activities, nightly campfires, and a gorgeous pumpkin patch.

Highlights:

• Pumpkin Patch & Wagon Rides: Ride out to their patch and pick the pumpkin that calls your name (yes, pumpkins have personalities).
• Corn Maze: A massive maze features clever riddles and checkpoints to keep you engaged (and less likely to abandon ship halfway through).
• Bonfires & S’mores: Stay in the evening for campfires under the stars—kits available for purchase.
• Attractions: Over 45 activities, including apple cannons, jumping pillows, rope mazes, obstacle courses, and live entertainment on weekends.
• Fireworks Saturday Nights: A spectacular display that adds extra sparkle to your October evenings.

Best for Ages: Great for all ages—toddlers to teens. Evening Fireworks + S’mores are especially teen-approved.

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🌽 4. Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch – Middletown, MD

👉 https://www.jumbos.org

Why it’s a must-visit: A family-run farm since the 1970s, Jumbo’s has grown into one of Maryland’s most beloved pumpkin patches.

Highlights:

• Free Admission & Hayrides: That’s right—admission is free, and so are hayrides to the giant pumpkin patch. The pumpkins themselves? That’s where your wallet gets a workout.
• Pumpkin Patch: Over 30 acres of pick-your-own pumpkins.
• Corn Maze: A fun challenge for kids without being overwhelming.
• Festival Vibes: Craft vendors and food stands make it feel like a community fall fair.

Best for Ages: Perfect for families with multiple kids—toddlers can enjoy the hayrides, while older ones enjoy the corn maze. And parents love the affordability.

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👻 5. Green Meadows Petting Farm – Ijamsville, MD

👉 https://www.greenmeadowsevents.com

Why it’s a must-visit: While many farms focus heavily on pumpkins, Green Meadows leans into hands-on animal experiences, making it extra special for younger kids.

Highlights:

• Petting Zoo: Cows, goats, pigs, sheep, and exotic animals like llamas—your kids will be in heaven hugging wooly and whiskered friends.
• Pumpkin Picking: Admission often includes one pumpkin to take home per child.
• Hayrides: Gentle and scenic rides around the farm.
• Educational Programs: Staff teach kids about farm life, making this secretly educational (shhh, don’t tell them).

Best for Ages: Especially great for children under 10 who adore animals.

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🎃 6. Knightongale Farm – Harwood, MD

👉 https://www.knightongalefarm.com

Why it’s a must-visit: A charming family-run farm in Anne Arundel County, offering intimate pumpkin patch experiences and classic fall activities.

Highlights:

• Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins
• Corn Maze & Hayrides
• Petting Zoo & Pony Rides (weekends)
• Seasonal Produce Stand: Locally grown veggies, mums, and homemade jams.

Best for Ages: All ages, but particularly preschool through middle school. It’s a smaller farm, so less overwhelming for little ones compared to the mega-attractions.

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🍬 7. Crumland Farms – Frederick, MD

👉 https://www.crumland.com

Why it’s a must-visit: Famous for both its family fun and its haunted attractions (don’t worry, the scarier stuff is clearly separated), Crumland is a two-in-one destination depending on your kids’ scare tolerance.

Highlights (Family-Friendly Side):

• Hayrides to pumpkin patches
• Kiddie corn maze
• Fresh apple cider and donuts
• Fall market with local treats

For Older Kids/Teens: Their haunted attractions are well-known, but check age restrictions carefully. Generally recommended 12+.

Best for Ages: Anyone looking for that “family-friendly by day, spooky by night” vibe. Best for mixed-age groups.

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🕸️ 8. Maryland Corn Maze – Gambrills, MD

👉 https://www.mdcornmaze.com

Why it’s a must-visit: This is the official Maryland corn maze and it leans fully into the fun. Each year they design a brand-new giant maze theme—think superheroes, fairy tales, or farm life.

Highlights:

• Giant 8-acre corn maze
• Hayrides
• Pumpkin patch
• Pedal carts, petting zoo, slides, and play areas
• Corn pits (yes, kids basically swim in dried corn—just hand them a broom at the end).

Best for Ages: All school-aged kids, but older children (8+) really enjoy the puzzle-solving nature of the giant maze.

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🎃 9. Sharps at Waterford Farm – Brookeville, MD

👉 https://www.sharpsfarm.com

Why it’s a must-visit: Sharps Farm offers an authentic educational farm experience. They host countless school groups but also open to families during fall weekends.

Highlights:

• Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins
• Educational Hayrides: Tour guides teach kids about farming traditions.
• Corn Maze: Moderate-sized and themed.
• Farm Animals: Chickens, cows, and sheep.

Best for Ages: Elementary-aged kids who enjoy hands-on learning with their fun.

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🦇 10. Clark’s Elioak Farm – Ellicott City, MD

👉 https://www.clarklandfarm.com

Why it’s a must-visit: Clark’s Elioak combines pumpkin patches with a literal fairy tale forest—including whimsical structures saved from the historic Enchanted Forest amusement park.

Highlights:

• Fairy Tale Forest Play Areas: Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage, the Old Woman’s Shoe, and castle play structures.
• Pumpkins & Hayrides
• Petting Farm: Wide selection of farm animals.
• Pony Rides & Gem Mining (extra cost).

Best for Ages: 2–10. It’s cartwheeling distance into magical territory for little ones.

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🌌 Bonus for Older Kids & Teens: Bennett’s Curse Haunted House – Dundalk, MD

👉 https://www.bennettscurse.com

Why it’s here: Okay, this one is NOT toddler-approved. But for families with thrill-seeking teens, Bennett’s Curse is Maryland’s most cinematic haunted attraction, boasting Hollywood-quality sets.

Best for Ages: 13+. Consider this the “edgy sibling” of the pumpkin patches.

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🎃 Tips for Maximizing Your Maryland Halloween Experience

• Buy Tickets Online Early: Many places now require timed entry to control crowds.
• Dress for Mud: Fall in Maryland can mean glorious leaf crunch OR knee-deep mud near a pumpkin patch. Boots = sanity.
• Bring Cash: Especially for small vendors or farm stands. Apple cider donuts taste better crisp and fresh than waiting behind a chip reader.
• Eat the Donuts Immediately: Never (and I mean never) “save them for later.” Trust me.

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wrapping It All Up

Halloween in Maryland is the definition of cozy family bonding. From enormous pumpkin patches in Frederick to whimsical fairy-tale forests in Ellicott City, there’s something for every kind of family. Whether you want gentle Halloween whimsy or teenage-appropriate frights, Maryland’s farms and attractions put on some of the best fall festivities in the Mid-Atlantic.

So, grab your scarves, gather the kiddos (or a group of pumpkin-obsessed friends), and start mapping your route. By the end of October 2025, you’ll have a car full of gourds, cider-scented clothes, and memories that smell faintly of kettle corn.