There’s A Sunflower Field Blooming In Florida Right Now, And It Looks Like A Storybook
Imagine walking through rows of towering sunflowers, their golden petals catching the Florida sunshine while you snap photos that look straight out of a fairytale. That dream becomes reality at Family Farms in Davie, where seasonal sunflower fields transform this working farm into an enchanting escape from everyday life. Beyond the blooms, this beloved spot offers everything from animal encounters to weekend bonfires, making it the perfect destination for families seeking authentic farm experiences without leaving Broward County.
1. Sunflower Fields That Transport You to Another World
Walking into the sunflower fields at Family Farms feels like stepping through a portal into a pastoral painting. During summer months, these towering beauties stretch toward the sky, creating natural corridors perfect for wandering and wonder. The farm plants these flowers specifically for visitors to enjoy, photograph, and even pick to take home.
Families arrive with cameras ready, knowing the Instagram-worthy potential is off the charts. The contrast between bright yellow petals and Florida’s brilliant blue skies creates photos so stunning your friends might think you traveled out of state. Kids love running between the rows, while adults appreciate the peaceful atmosphere that makes you forget you’re minutes from major highways.
The sunflower season typically runs during warmer months, though exact timing varies based on planting schedules and weather conditions. Smart visitors check the farm’s social media before heading out to confirm the flowers are in full bloom. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best lighting for photos and slightly cooler temperatures.
What makes this experience special is the accessibility—no fancy equipment or professional photography skills needed. Just show up, walk among the flowers, and let the natural beauty do the heavy lifting. The farm encourages visitors to enjoy the blooms respectfully, creating memories without damaging the plants others will enjoy after you leave.
2. Free-Roaming Animals Create Unexpected Encounters
Forget the typical zoo experience where animals stay behind glass. At Family Farms, chickens strut past your feet like they own the place—because honestly, they kind of do. Goats wander freely, hoping you bought a bucket of vegetables at the entrance booth, while bunnies hop around creating squeals of delight from young visitors.
This free-range approach gives kids genuine interactions with farm animals rather than staged encounters. A rooster might photobomb your sunflower pictures. A curious goat could follow your toddler around begging for snacks.
These unscripted moments become the stories families tell for years afterward.
The farm sells mixed vegetable buckets specifically designed for animal feeding, giving visitors hands-on experiences that teach kids where food comes from and how to treat animals gently. Goats are particularly enthusiastic about snack time, while the chickens prefer pecking treats off the ground. Watching a tortoise slowly approach for a nibble teaches patience in our hurried world.
Beyond the petting zoo favorites, the farm houses cows, pigs, and ponies that visitors can observe and sometimes feed during tractor rides. Each animal has its own personality, and repeat visitors often develop favorites they look for during every visit. The staff knows many animals by name and shares fun facts about their quirks and habits.
3. Saturday Night Bonfires Bring Community Together
When the sun starts setting on Saturdays, something magical happens at Family Farms. Staff light a bonfire that becomes the evening’s centerpiece, drawing families into a circle of warmth and conversation. Kids roast marshmallows while parents relax in a way that feels increasingly rare in our screen-dominated world.
The bonfire tradition runs most Saturday evenings, creating a weekly ritual for local families who treat it like their neighborhood gathering spot. Live musicians often perform, adding acoustic guitar or other instruments to the crackling fire soundtrack. The atmosphere feels like summer camp without leaving home, combining nostalgia with new memory-making.
Bringing your own marshmallows and roasting sticks is standard practice, though the farm sometimes provides supplies. Families spread out on blankets or claim picnic tables, creating their own little camps within the larger community. Children run between the fire and nearby play areas while parents actually get to finish conversations.
What makes these bonfires special is the mix of regulars and first-timers, all united by the simple pleasure of fire and fellowship. Strangers become friends over shared s’mores techniques and stories about the animals they fed earlier. The farm’s openness creates an inclusive vibe where everyone feels welcome regardless of how fancy their setup looks.
4. Strawberry Picking Transforms Winter Weekends
While other states shovel snow, Florida families at Family Farms pick strawberries straight from the vine. Winter transforms the property into a you-pick paradise where the simple act of harvesting your own fruit becomes an afternoon adventure. The fields open specifically during strawberry season, typically running from late fall through early spring.
Unlike grocery store berries that traveled hundreds of miles, these strawberries go from plant to bucket to your kitchen within hours. That freshness translates to flavor that makes store-bought versions taste like cardboard in comparison. Kids learn where food actually comes from, getting dirt under their fingernails and sun on their faces in the process.
The farm charges by weight, with staff providing buckets and directing visitors to the best picking spots. Seasoned berry pickers know to arrive earlier in the day when temperatures stay cooler and the best berries haven’t been claimed. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, because kneeling between rows means mud happens, especially after recent rain.
Smart visitors bring coolers to keep their haul fresh during the rest of their farm visit. Some families make strawberry picking their main event, filling multiple buckets to freeze or turn into jams at home. Others grab a quick bucket before exploring the rest of the property, snacking on sun-warmed berries between animal encounters.
5. Tractor Rides Offer Behind-the-Scenes Farm Tours
Climb aboard the hay wagon and suddenly you’re touring parts of the farm most visitors never see on foot. The tractor ride bumps along dirt paths, offering close encounters with cows that approach the fence hoping for treats. This isn’t a sanitized theme park version of farm life—it’s the real deal, complete with authentic smells and sounds.
Guides share information about the animals and crops while navigating the property, answering questions from curious kids and adults alike. The ride typically includes stops where passengers can feed cows directly, creating those magical moments when a giant bovine tongue wraps around a carrot in your hand. City kids especially love these up-close interactions with animals they’ve only seen in books.
The wagon accommodates groups, making it perfect for birthday parties or family reunions wanting a shared experience. Benches line both sides of the trailer, and while there’s no air conditioning, the breeze from movement keeps things comfortable. Duration varies but expect roughly fifteen to twenty minutes of touring and feeding time.
Photography enthusiasts appreciate the unique vantage points the ride provides, capturing angles impossible from ground level. The elevated perspective shows the farm’s full scope, from animal enclosures to crop fields to the main activity areas. Some visitors time their rides for golden hour, when late afternoon light makes everything glow.
6. Birthday Party Packages Create Unforgettable Celebrations
Forget renting another sterile party room at a franchise restaurant. Family Farms offers birthday packages that turn celebrations into adventures kids talk about for months. The farm provides dedicated party spaces, including their newer barn that customers rave about for its cleanliness and size.
Tables fit easily alongside bounce houses or soft play areas families bring themselves.
What sets these parties apart is the built-in entertainment that doesn’t require hiring separate vendors. Your party package includes activities like hay rides, pony rides, and animal feeding that keep kids engaged for hours. No frantic parent needs to worry about filling time or hearing “I’m bored” because the farm environment naturally captivates young imaginations.
Staff members assist with logistics, from setting up tables to coordinating ride times so your whole group experiences things together. This support means hosts actually get to enjoy the party rather than spending it stressed about timing and organization. The farm’s flexibility regarding decorations and outside food makes personalizing celebrations easy without breaking rules at every turn.
Parking right next to your party barn eliminates the hassle of hauling supplies across massive parking lots. Parents appreciate this convenience when unloading cakes, gifts, and coolers. The outdoor setting means noise levels don’t matter—kids can be as loud and energetic as birthday excitement demands without disturbing anyone.
7. Weekend Food Vendors Serve Authentic Farm-Fresh Flavors
The smell hits you before you see the grills—smoky, savory aromas of ribs and sausages cooking over open flames. Weekend visits to Family Farms include access to rotating food vendors serving everything from classic BBQ to Latin American specialties like cachapas and carne en vara. This isn’t standard fair food; it’s the real stuff cooked by people who care about flavor.
Reviewers consistently mention the quality, with burgers and churros earning special praise from families who tried them. The casual outdoor dining setup means grabbing food and eating at picnic tables scattered around the property, creating a festival atmosphere without festival prices. Kids can run off to play between bites while parents relax with their meals.
Fresh sugar cane juice sometimes appears among vendor offerings, providing hydration with a side of education about crops grown in Florida. These authentic touches separate Family Farms from corporate entertainment venues where everything tastes mass-produced and forgettable. The food becomes part of the experience rather than an afterthought.
Saturday evenings bring expanded food options to complement the bonfire, with some vendors staying open later than typical farm hours. Families make entire evenings out of the combination—arriving for afternoon activities, grabbing dinner from vendors, then settling in for marshmallow roasting and live music. The all-in-one convenience means no need to leave and find restaurants, keeping the relaxed farm vibe intact throughout your visit.
8. Seasonal Events Keep Every Visit Feeling Fresh
Family Farms doesn’t coast on being just another petting zoo. Throughout the year, they transform the property for seasonal celebrations that give repeat visitors new reasons to return. Halloween brings corn mazes and spooky decorations, while Christmas features Santa storytelling sessions where kids receive cookies and milk before hayrides filled with carol singing.
These events show the farm’s commitment to creating community traditions rather than one-time visits. Local families mark their calendars for specific celebrations, building annual rituals around strawberry season kickoffs or holiday light displays. The consistency of quality events builds trust that whatever the farm advertises will deliver on its promises.
Summer camps provide extended experiences for kids wanting more than day visits, teaching agricultural basics while keeping children entertained during school breaks. The hands-on learning approach beats screen time, giving kids stories about real experiences with animals and plants. Parents appreciate programs that tire kids out in healthy ways while teaching responsibility and nature appreciation.
Valentine’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July—the farm finds ways to celebrate most major occasions with special activities or extended hours. This adaptability keeps the property relevant year-round rather than being a single-season destination. Checking their website or social media before visiting reveals what special programming might be happening, potentially turning a standard farm day into something extraordinary you hadn’t anticipated.
