How to Build a Corn Maze

Both corn and mazes have been around for many years. Someone combined them to form the corn maze. People love challenges so it's no wonder that many enjoy corn mazes. If you're a farmer or own a cornfield, you might think about building a corn maze to attract paying customers. Here's what you'll need to know if you'd like to build a corn maze.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Corn Maze Preparation

1. Decide the purpose for the corn maze. Most people build corn mazes for profit but some build them to raise money for various charities.

2. Choose an admission price, if applicable. The price usually depends on whether the corn maze is for profit or not. Research other corn mazes to see what they charge and try to remain competitive.

3. Call the local chamber of commerce to make sure no laws exist against building a corn maze. If you need a permit, find out what steps you'll need to take to build a legal corn maze.

4. Ask your insurance agent about liability insurance and if it's necessary to insure your corn maze since it will attract many people and increase your liability.

5. Hire an expert in corn maze building. Find a local corn maze and ask if they offer corn maze building services. They may not offer services but they may offer tips to building a corn maze.

6. Grow corn to the full height of 5 to 6 feet tall before you build the corn maze.

Build the Corn Maze

7. Use you imagination to select a theme and sketch a layout of the corn maze. Many people choose themes that are relevant to season, such as a pumpkin. Visit the Maize website or Farmworks Software website for more ideas for your corn maze. There are links to these websites in Resources.

8. Locate and assemble the equipment to build the corn maze. Use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, if cost isn't a factor, to help you build the corn maze. The GPS technology allows you to figure out where to start and where to build the corn maze using satellites. Using GPS for a larger corn maze helps you keep the corn maze aligned and errors to a minimum.

9. Borrow, rent or use tractors to help flatten the corn to form the maze. Many tractor supply companies rent large field tractors. Ask a local farmer to help.

10. Hire workers or ask for volunteers. If you're building the maze for profit, you'll have to hire workers; if it's a charity event, ask for volunteers.

11. Have each family sign a disclaimer and take a head count as people line up to enter the maze. Then mark them off the list as they exit so you'll know if someone is lost in your corn maze.

12. Give prizes to those who find their way out. Post maze guides and maps showing "You are here" along the way to help stragglers locate the exit.

Tips & Warnings

• Hire a company to take a picture of your maze from the air so you can create interest and promote your corn maze in regional newspapers, television stations and on the radio.

Resources

• The Maize website has pictures of corn maze ideas.
• Farmworks Software has corn maze kits available.

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on 11/13/2008 Corn Mazes America offers a how-to book that goes into detail about how to make a corn maze without needing to purchase GPS equipment. This is a good investment for anyone wanting to build a corn maze. You can buy it at http://www.cornmazesamerica.com/corn_maze_book.htm.