I love a good pumpkin patch. There’s a personal element to picking from a patch rather than a pile at the grocery store; you can compare for size, colour, shape, and I look forward to visiting a new farm each year.

Fortunately, there are many pumpkin patches and farms to choose from in Metro Vancouver, and each one offers a slightly different experience. My kids are small, so we prefer to stay close to home to maximize our outing time and we particularly love the hidden gem that is Meadows Family Farm. Situated in Maple Ridge, Meadows Family Farm is our go-to farm for a visit every few months to feed the animals and take a ride on the tractor train.

Last Saturday, we attended the opening day of their pumpkin patch, and it was an incredible day. We pre-booked tickets the night before, which is required for weekends during October, and arranged to arrive at the farm shortly after opening. There was hardly anyone there when we arrived and the Autumn and Halloween decor was perfectly placed throughout the farm. Meadows Family Farm is great for all ages but is especially perfect for toddlers and children under 10 because of the size, the layout, and the activities offered.

A unique activity Harvest activity this year was the corn pit. I have never seen a pit of corn, but it was a lot of fun to walk around and feel the kernels run through our fingers. Nearby the corn pit was an area with inflatable animals to bounce on, and an adorable rubber duck racing station that really added to the festive ambiance.

We made the most of our day at the farm and managed to do every activity available. We tried out the zip-line, played in the bouncy castle and on the jumping pillow, took a tractor train ride, and wandered through the corn maze. We played on the playground, zipped around on the bikes and push cars on the peddle track and played in the giant sandbox. One thing I love about visiting Meadows Family Farm is that no two visits are ever the same; each time we have been, there have been new activities and experiences.

After exploring the main area for the better part of the morning, we found a picnic table in the shade to have lunch. There are plenty of tables available close to the building or out near the playground. We packed lunch for the kids but opted to purchase lunch for ourselves. The little store offers hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream, and refreshments, which was perfect for us, but something to consider if you have dietary needs or want a larger meal.

After lunch, we decided to explore the pumpkin patch. To get there, we took a wagon hay ride, which dropped us off at the start of a gravel path. As we walked down the path, expansive rows of pumpkins came into view, along with multiple setups for photographs to capture the memories.  We finished the day by picking flowers at the U-Pick Flower Garden and came home with beautiful bouquets to arrange near our pumpkins. There were so many activities to do that we easily could have stayed all day.

Know Before You Go:

  • Weekend tickets must be purchased online ahead of time. Weekday walk-ins are fine.
  • The parking lot is super close to the entrance, so you can leave a lunch bag in your car until you’re ready to eat.
  • The farm is stroller/wagon friendly, and there are wagons to borrow at the entrance.
  • Cups of feed are $3 and a scoop is given to feed the animals.
  • Train rides are $3 and run daily unless it is raining heavily.
  • Tractor-pulled wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch is free with admission
  • There is a handwashing station and portable toilets on site, but no indoor bathrooms.
  • Go early if you can; birthday parties started showing up around 11 am and it was quite a bit busier, although there was still plenty of space to wander and participate in the activities.

Meadows Family Farm

When: Open daily, Fall Fun activities on until the end of October
Hours: 10am-5pm (Weekdays) 9am-5pm (Weekends)
Address: 12377 248th St, Maple Ridge
Website: www.meadowsfamilyfarm.ca