8 Family-Friendly Farms Within 90 Minutes of Vancouver

A farm day with kids works when there's enough on-site to keep five-year-olds and nine-year-olds happy at the same time. These eight all clear that bar: they have animals, space to run, and food you don't have to pack.

Maan Farms — Abbotsford

Probably the busiest agritourism farm in the Lower Mainland. In summer it's u-pick strawberries and raspberries; in fall it pivots to the corn maze and pumpkin patch with a haunted barn that's genuinely scary for kids over eight (and a daytime version that isn't). The farm store sells homemade berry pies and the kids' kitchen does meal-prep classes on weekends.

Good for: ages 3–12. Plan three to four hours. Book online for peak weekends.

Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery — Langley

The Langley original. Pick-your-own berries in summer, mini-donut bar year-round, a big picnic field, and a tractor train that does laps. Parents can sneak a wine tasting at the estate winery while older kids play.

Good for: ages 2–10. The mini donuts alone are worth the drive.

Aldor Acres — Langley

A working farm that opens up September and October for pumpkin patch season. Hay rides, a goat-feeding pen, baby animals (lambs, calves), and a small playground. It's lower-key than Maan or Krause — better for kids under six who'd find the big-farm chaos overwhelming.

Good for: ages 1–7. Mid-week is calm.

Applebarn — Abbotsford

Apples and pumpkins in September–October, with a barnyard play area and a corn-pit (think ball pit, but corn kernels). The cider donuts come hot out of the fryer.

Good for: ages 3–10. Pair with a stop at the Cascade Falls trail nearby.

Westham Island Herb Farm — Delta

Quieter and more pastoral than the Langley/Abbotsford operations. The farm sits at the end of the island past the Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Lavender fields in July, pumpkin patch in October, a small farm store with herbs and preserves. Bring binoculars — the bird sanctuary next door is one of the best in the Lower Mainland.

Good for: ages 5+ who can handle a quieter day. Pair with the sanctuary for a full day.

Granny's Pumpkin Patch — Maple Ridge

A fall-only operation that nails the format: hay maze, pumpkin tossing, animals to feed, a small train ride, and decent farm food. Lower price point than the bigger operations. Open mid-September through Halloween.

Good for: ages 2–8. The lineup at the entrance is shortest before 11 am.

Laity Pioneer Farm — Maple Ridge

A heritage-style farm with vintage tractors, antique barns to explore, and a strong educational angle — staff narrate the hay rides with actual local history. Less flash, more substance.

Good for: ages 6+ who like to ask questions. Combine with a hike at Golden Ears for a real outdoor day.

Secret Garden Farm — Pemberton (just past the 90-minute mark, worth the cheat)

OK, it's 110 minutes from Vancouver, but the drive up the Sea-to-Sky is half the trip. Lavender and sunflower fields, a u-pick berry patch in summer, and a market garden you can wander. The Pemberton valley views are part of the experience.

Good for: ages 5+ on a bluebird day. Pack the bathing suits — the Pemberton lakes are nearby.

What to bring on any farm day

• Closed-toe shoes for the kids — open sandals and farms don't mix well • Cash and card (some farms are card-only now, some still cash-only) • Sunscreen, even on cloudy days • Wet wipes • A change of clothes in the car (someone will fall in a puddle) • Snacks for the drive home — kids crash on the way back

When to go

Weekdays are noticeably calmer than weekends. If you're going on a Saturday or Sunday, aim to arrive at opening (usually 10 am) and plan to leave by 1 pm — that's when the crowds peak. Mid-week, you can stay all day and the staff have time to chat.

October weekends sell out the corn-maze farms a week in advance. Book online if there's a reservation option; show up before 10 am if there isn't.