Maplewood Farm
Family of 4
$25-30 CAD (~$18-22 USD)
Duration
1.5-2 hours
Best Ages
1-8 years
About
Maplewood Farm is the last remaining farm on Vancouver's North Shore, and it's a treasure. This five-acre petting zoo and working farm in North Vancouver is home to over 200 animals and birds, and it's been a beloved family destination for decades.
The experience is refreshingly simple: you walk around the farm, meet animals, and let your kids connect with creatures they usually only see in books. Goats in the petting area are gentle and curious, nudging tiny hands looking for food. Rabbits can be fed with special food purchased at the entrance.
Chickens strut around with impressive confidence. Pigs wallow in mud. Donkeys bray.
Cows chew cud and stare at you with those big brown eyes.
For toddlers and preschoolers, Maplewood Farm is magic. The farm is small enough that little legs can handle it without a stroller (though strollers are welcome on the paths). Everything is at kid-height and accessible.
There are no overwhelming crowds or long walks between attractions. The staff and volunteers are genuinely warm and happy to answer kids' endless questions about why the pig is making that noise or what the chickens eat.
Special events throughout the year add extra appeal: sheep shearing in spring, Country Fair in September, and holiday-themed activities in December. Birthday parties can be booked here too.
The practical side: admission is extremely affordable (about $7.55 for adults, $4.55 for kids), making this one of the best-value family outings in the Vancouver area. Parking is free. There's no on-site food service, so bring a packed lunch — there are picnic tables in a pleasant outdoor area. Handwashing stations are available throughout, but bringing your own sanitizer and wipes is wise.
The farm is open daily from April through October, and Tuesday through Sunday from November through March (closed Mondays in winter). It's best for families with kids roughly ages 1-8 — older kids may find it too simple, but younger ones will want to come back again and again.
Maplewood Farm pairs well with other North Shore attractions. It's about 15 minutes from the Capilano Suspension Bridge and 20 minutes from Deep Cove, so you can build a North Shore day trip.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
partial
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings when animals are most active and crowds are lightest. Feeding times mid-morning are the best time to see animal interaction.
Wait Times
No wait for entry; minimal waits throughout
Nearby Food
There's no on-site restaurant. Dollarton Highway nearby has a few casual options. The Shipyards at Lower Lonsdale (15-minute drive) has many family restaurants. Pack a picnic to eat at the farm's outdoor tables.
Why Kids Love It
Maplewood Farm is the kind of place where a two-year-old meets a goat for the first time and it becomes the highlight of their entire month. This five-acre working farm in North Vancouver is home to over 200 animals — goats, rabbits, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, donkeys, and ponies — and kids can get genuinely close to most of them. The petting area with the goats is pure chaos in the best way, with gentle goats nudging little hands for food.
Feeding the rabbits with special bunny food from the entrance is a hit with toddlers who are still mastering their motor skills. The farm feels small and manageable, which is actually a huge plus with little kids — you can see everything without anyone melting down from exhaustion. The barn cats, the noisy roosters, the pig wallowing in mud — it's all incredibly real and tactile in a way that picture books can't replicate.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Buy animal food at the entrance — kids love feeding the rabbits and ducks
- Arrive mid-morning to catch feeding times when animals are most active and approachable
- Wear rubber boots or shoes you don't mind getting dirty — it's a real farm
- The farm is open daily April-October but closed Mondays November-March
- Bring wipes and hand sanitizer — there are handwashing stations but lines can form
What to Bring
- Rubber boots or old shoes (it's a working farm with muddy spots)
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Sunscreen and hats (limited shade)
- A picnic lunch (no food service on-site but picnic areas available)
- Camera — the photo ops with goats and rabbits are adorable
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$25-30 CAD (~$18-22 USD)
Tips to Save
- Pricing is very affordable already.
- Buy bunny food at the entrance ($2).
- Free parking.
- Annual family memberships are a deal if you'll visit 3+ times.
- Check for special event days with included activities.