These 3 family-friendly farms in greater Vancouver are all less than an hour’s drive away from downtown Vancouver. They’re a fun day out for families with young children, a romantic idea for a special date, a sweet alternative to brunch with friends, and ideal for creating cute content for social media.
The best part about the 3 farms on this list of family-friendly farms in greater Vancouver is that each of them include a free gift with the ticket/entrance fee to the farm’s fields. Not all of these photogenic farms are U-pick (pick-your-own) but you will leave each of them with something amazing to commemorate the day.
Sometimes I feel limited by the size of the city of Vancouver compared to London, where I previously lived, but then I remember the uniquely marvellous thing about living in Vancouver which is that it’s both city and rural and all that really stands in your way is some variable traffic over a bridge. Greater Vancouver, an area not unlike the English countryside where I grew up (minus the mountains), allows you to step away from city life and into a wholesome world of farmland and nature.
I have chosen the following 3 family-friendly farms not only because they offer free gifts with the ticket cost but they also cover all three key seasons for visiting farms: spring, summer and autumn/fall:
1. Lavender field
2. Berry farm
3. Pumpkin patch
Read on for my list of seasonal, family-friendly farms in greater Vancouver with free gifts included with the entrance fee.
1. Lavenderland
Lavenderland is a small field of lavender, south of Vancouver, that’s open seasonally to paying visitors. It was the first lavender field in greater Vancouver and is actually part of the estate gardens belonging to the Graceland-esque home which makes for a cute backdrop.
Does it compare to the rolling lavender hills of England or Provence, unfortunately not, but its heavenly scent will still smell as sweet and it definitely scratches an itch for frolicking amongst luscious rows of lavender in the summertime.
As with all lavender, expect bees and move around cautiously and respectfully.
Spend an hour or so playing with children, take a stroll with your lover, take some cute photos for Instagram or TikTok or simply go for a moment’s peace and take a deep inhale for an immediate hit of stress-relieving perfumed air.
Is the $28 ticket cost for general admission to Lavenderland crazy expensive? Yes. Especially when you compare it to the £4 ($6 CAD) for Hitchin Lavender and when that includes being able to pick a whole bag of lavender to take home. Where the ticket cost redeems itself (partly) is the complimentary gift of a 500ml bottle of Lavender Hydrosol worth $20.
Lavenderlands Lavender Hydrosol can be used as a toner, a room spray, a linen spray, a body spray and can be added to bath water. I’ve bought lavender linen sprays from every lavender farm shop I’ve been to and it usually costs about £10 ($15 CAD) for ⅕ of the size that Lavenderland gives away for free with the general admission tickets.
Where is Lavenderland?
Lavenderland is located in Richmond which is a half an hour drive from downtown Vancouver.
8460 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC V7A 1M3
Parking is complimentary.
When is the best time to visit Lavenderland?
The lavender at Lavenderland is open to visitors from mid June – the end of September.
The best time to visit any lavender field is July and August or mid-late summer if you’re in the southern hemisphere.
Lavenderland on Instagram
Ticket costs for Lavenderland
General Admission tickets are $28 CAD plus GST.
Child (aged 4-12) and Senior (65|+) tickets are $15 CAD plus GST.
Family (2 adults & 3 children aged 4-12) tickets are $68 CAD plus GST.
Children under 4 go free.
Pets are not allowed within the field.
What free gift is included with the ticket to Lavenderland?
Each General Admission ticket includes a complimentary Lavender Hydrosol 500ml & travel spray bottle.
Each Child and Senior ticket includes a complimentary Lavenderland Hand Cleansing Spray (worth $9.99).
Each Family ticket includes a complimentary Lavenderland Hand Cleansing Spray (worth $9.99).
The complimentary gifts are available to pick up with proof of your ticket from the gift store which doubles as the ticket office next to the car park.
Gifts are given whilst stock lasts.
Where to eat at Lavenderland
Grab a Lavender ice cream at the gift shop on your way out of Lavenderland.
1. Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery
Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery has been family owned and operated since 1974. They take a “green farming” approach to their produce and are committed to growing the best quality berries combining traditional methods with innovative techniques.
Visiting Krause Berry Farms & Estate during blueberry season was one of the most special days out in greater Vancouver in our first summer in Canada. We spent the morning picking blueberries and taking photos in the field before treating ourselves to fresh, delicious waffles topped with whipped cream and the biggest and juiciest blueberries I’ve ever seen.
Spending time in the U-pick blueberry farm was such a delight. We went early enough in the day that some of the field was still shaded by the surrounding trees and it wasn’t too busy. Sounds of children’s laughter spilled over the neighbouring rows and cheeky grins could be spotted by those who sneaked a few berries to eat straight from the bushes.
Krause Berry Farms U-pick fields is a great place to take children so they can run around and play but also find a sense of accomplishment in the task of picking their own berries – even if they don’t know the word accomplishment itself.
On weekends the local musicians take to the stage at the Waffle Bar and cover a variety of popular hits loved by both adults and children. Check out the line-up on their events page.
The farm is also a gorgeous place to go on a date day or create content for a blog, Instagram or TikTok. Cottagecore eat your heart out!
Take the complimentary shuttle bus over to their larger fields where you’ll have much more space. Perfect for little ones to run around and a better chance of a photo without anyone in the background.
Where is Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery?
Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery is located in Langley which is a 45 minute drive from downtown Vancouver.
6179 248 St, Langley Twp, BC V4W 1C3
Parking is complimentary.
When is the best time to visit Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery?
The Krause Berry Farms U-pick fields are seasonal (summer and autumn) but the Waffle Bar and winery are open all year on select days.
Berry season begins in May and summer is the most exciting time of year to visit Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery as U-pick berry farms are not only a gorgeous photo opportunity but it means you can go home with so much fruit. Two small punnets of blueberries kept in the freezer made daily smoothies for two months plus the odd crumble and muffin fillings.
In the autumn months the U-pick pumpkin patch is open Wednesday to Sunday 9.30-5pm.
The weekends are the busiest time to visit Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery so if you can, go on a week day. Mornings are always best because the U-pick farms, when open, are quieter.
Krause Berry Farms on Instagram
Ticket costs for Krause Berry Farms
Entrance to Krause’s U-pick berry fields starts from $5. Instead of charging by the age range of visitors, Krause Berry Farms charges based on your choice of the size of their U-pick containers.
A punnet is $5 which can collect about 1.5lbs of fruit.
A 4 litre basket is $18 which can collect about 5.5lbs of fruit.
Everyone must pay for a punnet, basket or bucket to enter the field but you can fill it with as many berries as it can carry – don’t be afraid to pile it high!
The Krause Berry Farms U-pick pumpkin patch is free to enter and pumpkins are priced individually based on type and size. Prices range from $1.50 – $30.
What free gift is included with the ticket to Krause Berry Farms?
I like to think as the rules are you have to purchase a container to enter Krause Berry Farms’ U-pick fields, the berries are your gift.
The berries are fresh, delicious, free from harmful chemicals and pesticides and are so much cheaper than from the grocery store plus you get such a fun, family-friendly day out.
Where to eat at Krause Berry Farms
Krause Berry Farms has the most incredible Waffle Bar. The waffles, made fresh to order, are topped with whipped cream and whichever fruit is in season. This could be blueberries, blackberries or strawberries in spring and baked apples in autumn/fall.
There’s even pumpkin waffles in autumn/fall!
Vegan and Gluten free waffles and Dairy-free whipped cream alternatives are available.
3. Richmond Country Farms pumpkin patch
Richmond Country Farms has been a family owned and operated farm since 1978.
With bright red barns, a saloon and cowboys that sing to you, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a trip to the Wild West by visiting Richmond Country Farm in autumn/fall.
Each ticket to the Pumpkin Festival includes a complimentary hayride to the pumpkin patch which is an adventure in itself. Hop aboad a tractor-drawn trailer, take a seat upon a hay bale and enjoy a little sing-a-long as your guide plays popular country hits on their guitar or mandolin – they might even throw a little Baby Shark in there for the little ones. Don’t forget to pick up your free apple when you get off the hayride at the end!
There’s two main pumpkin patches to explore, another two little ones with the teeny, tiniest pumpkins (great for photos) and a corn maize to run amok in. Then as a treat for 2022, there’s rows upon rows of dahlias as they bloomed later than expected due to the late summer we experienced in British Columbia.
Richmond Country Farms is going single-use plastic free and encourage you to bring your own bag to carry your pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.
In summer Richmond Country Farms is also home to the annual Richmond Sunflower Festival where you can frolic amongst 20 different types of sunflowers.
Where is Richmond Country Farms?
Richmond Country Farms pumpkin patch is located in Richmond which is about a 25 minute drive from downtown Vancouver.
12900 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC V6W 1A3
Parking is complimentary.
When is the best time to visit Richmond Country Farms?
The Richmond Country Farms pumpkin patch is open throughout the whole month of October from 9am-4pm on weekdays and 10am-4.30pm on weekends.
Weekdays are not only quieter but they’re also cheaper. If Raincouver weather permits, aim for a dry day as the field can become slippery but of course don’t let the rain ruin your fun if it can’t be helped.
There’s plenty of room within their x2 main patches and more pumpkins than in your wildest dreams. The only thing that can get really busy is the queue for the hayride wagons that take you to and from the pumpkin patches.
Richmond Country Farms on Instagram
Ticket costs for Richmond Country Farms
On weekdays tickets are $12 ($13 if you purchase them after the 15th of October) and on weekends they’re $15 ($16 if you purchase after the 15th).
Children under the age of 3 (they count 3 as a ticketed age) go free.
What free gift is included with the ticket to Richmond Country Farms?
Each ticket includes a complimentary wagon ride to the pumpkin patch and a free pumpkin! Why get yours from the store when you can have the fun of picking your own?
Where to eat at Richmond Country Farms
There are numerous food trucks serving the likes of hot dogs and hot donuts plus there’s a little saloon-looking shack selling baked goods.
You can find these food vendors between the main entrance and the pick-up/drop-off point for the hayride to the pumpkin patches.
Have you been to any farms near Vancouver that give you a free gift with your ticket?
If you know of any other photogenic farms near Vancouver that are perfect for a family day out or for content creators then drop them in the comments below.
Do more on & for the planet, Gabriella
