Last Updated on September 2, 2026
Magic Of Sunflowers At Taves Family Farms In Abbotsford
Surrounded by rows of golden sunflowers stretching toward the sky, it’s hard not to slow down and take it all in.
Maybe it’s the sheer number of golden blooms stretching across the farm. Maybe it’s the way the flowers seem to glow in the sunshine. Or maybe it’s simply that sunflowers have a way of making everything feel a little more cheerful.
Whatever the reason, sunflower season is one of those short-lived summer traditions we try not to miss.
This year, we headed to Taves Family Farms (formerly known as Applebarn Pumpkin Farm) in Abbotsford for the Magic of Sunflowers, expecting a pretty afternoon wandering through the sunflower garden. What we also knew though, was how much there would be for the kids to do once we arrived.
Because this isn’t just a sunflower field.
At Taves, you can wander through the flowers, visit farm animals, explore mazes, race pedal karts, bounce on giant jumping pillows, take a hayride and—if your kids are anything like mine—spend a ridiculous amount of time going down a 150-foot slide.
If you’re searching for things to do in Abbotsford with kids, looking for a sunflower farm near Vancouver, or planning a Fraser Valley day trip, the Magic of Sunflowers is worth putting on your summer-to-fall bucket list.
Magic Of Sunflowers At Taves Family Farms
The Magic of Sunflowers is Taves Family Farms’ annual late-summer celebration of—you guessed it—sunflowers.
The 2026 experience runs from August 20 through September 6, while the sunflower blooms last. It’s one of those seasonal experiences that you really do need to catch at the right time because once the blooms are gone, the magic of the sunflower garden is gone with them.
And that’s part of what makes it special.
There’s a very small window each year when you can walk through a Fraser Valley farm surrounded by towering sunflowers with summer still in the air and fall just starting to peek around the corner.
It also happens to be a fantastic time to visit Taves Family Farms because the farm is transitioning toward its famous fall season. Apples are beginning to make an appearance, the Country Store is full of farm goodies, and you can already feel that cozy autumn energy starting to creep in.
The Magical Sunflower Garden
Of course, we came for the sunflowers.
And they did not disappoint.
The Magical Sunflower Garden is exactly the kind of place that makes you want to pull out your camera immediately. Rows of bright yellow flowers create a maze of sorts, with paths allowing you to wander through the blooms and see them from different angles.
It’s beautiful for photos, but I think it’s even better when you give yourself permission to put the camera down for a few minutes.
Walk slowly. Look at the flowers. Let the kids explore. And enjoy the fact that you’re standing in the middle of a giant field of sunshine.
Taves has also added whimsical elements throughout the experience, giving the garden a little bit of a storybook feel. You’ll find magical displays and the homes of the farm’s resident gnomes, Merlin and Marisol, tucked throughout the experience.
It gives kids something to look for as they explore rather than simply walking from one end of the sunflower field to the other. And when you reach the end of the sunflowers, instead of exiting, look for the entrance to the corn maze.
Get your tickets to Taves Family Farms here.
Mystical Meadow And The 150-Foot Rainbow Slide
Here’s where Taves goes from pretty sunflower farm to full-on kid adventure.
The upgraded Mystical Meadow has several attractions that are included with admission, and the newest addition is hard to miss: a massive 150-foot slide.
And when I say massive, I mean the kind of slide that kids spot from across the farm and immediately start asking when they can go.
The slide quickly became one of the highlights of our visit.
If you purchase the FUN Pass, you get one ride on the Mystical Slide. Upgrade to the SuperFUN Pass and you can ride it as many times as you want.
For families with kids who consider “one ride” an unacceptable concept, the SuperFUN Pass is probably going to make a lot of sense.
Because there is no such thing as one slide ride.
There is the first ride. Then the “one more.” Then the “but I barely got to go.” Then the “everyone else is going again.”
And suddenly you’ve spent half an hour watching the same child disappear down a slide.
Beyond the slide, Mystical Meadow also has pedal karts and giant jumping pillows, giving kids plenty of ways to burn off some energy.
This is one of the things I really like about Taves. The kids aren’t expected to quietly admire the scenery. They can actually interact with the farm and play.
Meet The Animals At The Petting Barn
If your kids love animals, make sure you leave plenty of time for the Petting Barn.
Taves has goats and bunnies to interact with in the petting area and don’t miss the very chatty turkey in the Mystical Meadow.
The goats, naturally, have their own agenda. They are curious, enthusiastic and very interested in whether you happen to have anything edible nearby.
The animal area adds another dimension to the visit, especially for younger kids who might not be quite as impressed by a field of flowers as the adults are.
You can go from taking sunflower photos to feeding or petting a goat within minutes, which is a pretty good way to keep everyone happy.
Merlin’s Maze And Other Farm Fun
There are also mazes to explore throughout the farm.
During the Magic Of Sunflowers, Merlin’s Maze adds a little scavenger-hunt adventure to the experience. Kids can search for hidden chalk stations featuring magical animals and colors as they make their way through.
It’s a fun way to get everyone exploring rather than simply following Mom and Dad around.
And if you have competitive kids, expect the usual argument about who found the way out first.
Honestly, I love attractions like this for family outings because they give kids something to do while the adults get to enjoy the setting.
It’s a win-win.
Don’t Skip The Hayride
If you choose the SuperFun Pass, you’ll also get access to the hayride.
There’s something about a hayride that immediately makes a farm visit feel like fall, even when you’re still surrounded by sunflowers and enjoying summer weather.
It’s also a nice change of pace after the kids have spent the last hour racing around.
Sit down. Take a breath. Look around at the farm. Let someone else do the driving for a few minutes.
You know you’re getting old when a hayride starts sounding like a luxury spa treatment.
What About Apple Picking At Taves?
This is where Taves Family Farms really shines as a seasonal destination.
Although the Magic of Sunflowers is the main attraction during late August and early September, apple picking is another big reason families visit Taves.
Taves is a working farm with extensive orchards, and as the apple varieties ripen throughout the season, the farm opens up its U-pick opportunities.
If you’re visiting during sunflower season and hoping to pick apples, be sure to check what’s currently available before you go. Apple varieties ripen at different times, and U-pick availability can change depending on conditions.
Apple picking is an additional cost, and fruit is purchased separately from your admission.
This makes it easy to combine experiences into one Fraser Valley day trip—especially if you’re trying to squeeze the last bits of summer out of August before the school-year calendar takes over again.
And if you’re not quite ready to pick your own apples yet, you can still stop by the Country Store for farm products and treats.
Don’t Leave Without Trying The Food
We weren’t expecting the food to become one of our favorite parts of the day, but here we are.
The fresh roasted Mexican corn was fantastic. And the black currant chiller was exactly what we wanted to quench our thirst after walking around the farm.
Or maybe we’re simply hungry after chasing kids around all afternoon. Either way, both were big wins for us.
If you visit, don’t rush straight from the sunflower field to the parking lot. Take some time to check out the food and farm treats available during your visit.
How Long Do You Need At Taves Family Farms?
This is not a quick “stop for 30 minutes, take a photo and leave” kind of place.
You could visit just for the sunflower garden, but if you’re bringing kids, I’d plan for several hours.
We found ourselves moving between the sunflower garden, attractions, animals and food rather than following a strict itinerary.
That’s probably the best way to experience Taves.
Let the kids choose an attraction. Go explore the flowers. Visit the animals. Get something to eat. Go down the slide again.
Then realize it’s somehow already been three hours.
The farm has enough going on that you can easily turn the Magic of Sunflowers into a half-day family outing. Our family can easily arrive at opening and stay until closing time.
What Pass Should You Get?
Taves offers different admission options depending on how much of the farm you want to experience.
The Fun Pass gives you access to the sunflower garden and many of the farm attractions, including Mystical Meadow, pedal karts, farm animals, jumping pillows, a corn maze and one ride on the Mystical Slide.
The SuperFun Pass adds unlimited Mystical Slide rides and the hayride.
For our family, I would lean toward the SuperFun Pass if your kids are old enough to take advantage of the slide and attractions.
If you’re mainly interested in the sunflower garden and taking photos, the basic option may be enough.
And remember that apple picking is extra, so budget for that separately if you plan to pick fruit.
When Is the Best Time To Visit?
This year, the Magic of Sunflowers runs from August 20 through September 6, 2026, while the blooms last.
If you’re primarily visiting for the flowers and photography, I’d check the current bloom conditions before heading out.
For a quieter experience, consider going earlier in the day on a weekday if your schedule allows.
If you’re hoping for beautiful golden light, Taves also has select Golden Hour evenings when the farm stays open later.
The warm evening light can be especially beautiful across the sunflower fields.
Of course, weekends are also popular, so expect more families and more activity.
Tips For Visiting Taves Family Farms
Wear comfortable shoes because you’re going to be walking—and your kids are probably going to be running.
Bring a camera because the sunflower garden is one of those places where you’ll inevitably want more photos than you planned to take.
Give yourself more time than you think you need. There are enough attractions that rushing through the farm would be a shame.
If you’re bringing younger kids, check the attraction requirements ahead of time so you know what they can participate in.
And if you plan to apple pick, check the farm’s current U-pick information before your visit because availability changes throughout the season.
Most importantly, don’t treat this like a quick sunflower-field photo stop.
That’s how you end up staying for hours.
Is Taves Family Farms Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
What I like most about Taves Family Farms is that it gives everyone in the family something to look forward to.
The adults get the beautiful sunflower fields.
The kids get a 150-foot rainbow slide.
Someone gets excited about the animals.
Someone else wants to race the pedal karts.
Then everyone gets hungry and suddenly the roasted corn becomes the highlight of the day.
That’s what makes Taves more than just a sunflower farm near Vancouver. It’s an experience.
It’s a place where you can spend a few hours outside, let the kids run wild, take way too many photos, eat something delicious and come home with a camera roll full of golden flowers.
And there’s something especially nice about visiting at this time of year. Summer isn’t quite over, but fall is starting to show up.
The sunflowers are blooming, the apples are coming in and the Fraser Valley is about to enter one of its busiest—and most beautiful—seasons.
If you’re looking for a family day trip from Vancouver, a fun Abbotsford activity with kids, or simply somewhere to soak up the last bit of summer, add Taves Family Farms to your list.
Come for the sunflowers. Stay for the slide. And maybe, if you’re lucky, leave with some apples, a full belly and a few new family memories.
That’s a pretty good day out.
Quick Details: Magic Of Sunflowers At Taves Family Farms
The 2026 Magic of Sunflowers runs from August 20 to September 6, 2026, while the sunflower blooms last.
Taves Family Farms is located at 333 Gladwin Road in Abbotsford, British Columbia, making it an easy destination for families looking for a Fraser Valley day trip.
Advance online tickets are recommended, and prices are higher at the gate. The farm’s current schedule, ticket options, bloom updates and attraction information are available directly through Taves Family Farms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Taves Family Farms?
Taves Family Farms is located at 333 Gladwin Road in Abbotsford, BC.
When is the Magic of Sunflowers at Taves?
For 2026, the Magic of Sunflowers runs from August 20 through September 6, while the sunflower blooms last.
Can you pick apples at Taves Family Farms?
Yes. Apple U-pick is available seasonally, depending on apple variety and ripeness. Apple picking is an additional cost and the bag of apples are not included in the sunflower admission.
Is Taves Family Farms good for toddlers and younger kids?
Yes. The farm has attractions and experiences suitable for a range of ages, including animals, jumping pillows, pedal karts and the sunflower garden. Some attractions may have specific height or age requirements, so check before visiting.
What is the 150-foot slide at Taves Family Farms?
The Mystical Slide is a 150-foot rainbow slide located in the Mystical Meadow. The Fun Pass includes one ride, while the SuperFun Pass includes unlimited rides.
How long should you spend at Taves Family Farms?
I’d plan for at least three hours if you’re visiting with kids and want to experience the sunflower garden, animals and attractions. Families could easily spend longer depending on how many activities they want to do.
Is Taves Family Farms worth the drive from Vancouver?
For families who enjoy farm experiences, seasonal festivals and outdoor attractions, Taves makes a great Fraser Valley day trip from Vancouver. The combination of the sunflower garden, farm animals, kid-friendly attractions, food and seasonal U-pick activities makes it more than just a quick photo stop.
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