Where We Spent a Wake Window: Maplewood Farm
Location & Parking:
Getting There from Vancouver: It took us about 35 minutes to drive from Kitsilano.
Traffic Alert: I've learned that traffic from North Van back to Kits is worse in the afternoon, so I'd highly suggest this as a morning activity
First-Timer Tip: The farm is in a residential-looking area. Don't worry, you haven't made a wrong turn! Just keep an eye out for the clear signage.
Set your GPS to: 405 Seymour River Pl, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1S6, Canada
Official info: https://maplewoodfarm.bc.ca/
The Damage Report ($):
Pricing: Varies depending on the time of year, so be sure to check their website.
Breakdown: Adult tickets were around $13, while kids (19 months - 16 years old) were $8.50. Little ones under 18 months are free.
Tip: If you have more than one child or plan to visit often, the annual family membership looks like it might be a great deal
Wheely Friendly?
Yes! The paths around Maplewood Farm are easy to push a stroller on.
Our Reality: We did bring our stroller, but Yuyu was more interested in running around to see the animals. It mainly served as Gabe’s ride and my trusty diaper bag carrier.
Enjoying a packed lunch on the picnic tables.
The Snack Situation:
This is a perfect place to pack a picnic.
DIY Picnic: The farm is family-friendly and encourages you to bring your own food and drinks.
Our Lunch: I packed a picnic lunch for Yuyu, which we ate at one of the farm's picnic tables. She loved taking one bite then running around to befriend the ducks roaming around.
Heads Up: There is no food available for purchase on the farm, so come prepared.
Potty Proximity:
Accessible on-site bathrooms and change tables are available.
Hand Hygiene: With all the animal petting, the farm puts a big emphasis on hand hygiene. Multiple hand-washing stations are conveniently located throughout the farm for little ones.
Mum Musings:
We've visited Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver a few times - what I love is that it's open all year round. The trick is just dressing for the weather (I highly recommend washable boots/shoes for the inevitable mud/dust). One time it even started to rain, and the farm lent us umbrellas, which was a nice touch. (To be honest, I used the umbrella, Yuyu just ran around happily in the rain!)
Gabe hoping to see all the animals.
A Blessing for Early Risers:
My absolute favorite part of the farm? Their weekend operating times (March - September) when they open at 8:30 AM! When Yuyu's eyes popped open at 5 AM on a Saturday, I felt like I had already put in a full day's parenting shift by 7am. Spending the rest of the long morning at the farm was a lifeline.
Exploring the Farm:
Yuyu loved visiting the rabbits in the "Rabbitat" (love the smart name). It’s an enclosed area, so you have to take turns, but we went in multiple times.
You'll find all the farm animal heavy hitters here - cows, sheep, goats (that you can pet), chickens, pigs, and more.
We saw a birthday party in the common room, which looked fun! Yuyu kept trying to join in, and I was telling her, “in due time” you’re too young to gatecrash parties…yet. All this to say, check them out as a potential party venue for your kid.
You can also book pony rides if your child is older (3+ years old). Just make sure to do it in advance.
Toddler Tolerance Level:
2-3 hours. It's not a huge farm, but the ability to pet and feed some of the animals makes it a full wake-window activity.
Nap Roulette Options?
There's so much to do in North Van! We've made two stops after our visits to the farm.
Stop 1: On one visit, we drove 8 minutes away to Earnest Ice Cream in North Vancouver. Truthfully, this was more for me than Yuyu (I'm obsessed with their sundaes), though she was delighted to have a scoop.
Stop 2: On another trip, we headed to the kids' play area right near the Maplewood farm parking lot. It's a great place to burn off any last bit of energy before a great nap.
Yuyu loved spending time in the Rabbitat
Author
I’m Mimi, the writer behind Mi & Yu. This blog was born out of a year spent exploring Vancouver with my toddler Yuyu and newborn son Gabe while my husband Jamie worked through a demanding fellowship.
What started as a way to survive the newborn phase turned into a collection of tried-and-tested family adventures, real reviews, tested logistics, and the occasional toddler meltdown included. Now back home in Newfoundland, I’m sharing those adventures so other parents can skip the decision fatigue and get straight to the fun part.
