Sweet Eastside Farms and Gardens for Springtime Fun

Aerial view of Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center in Carnation, Wash., near Seattle, among sweet farms to visit with kids

Photo:

Aerial view of Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center. Image courtesy of Oxbow Farm

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center, Carnation

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center might not qualify as under-the-radar: Families may know it because of its fantastic Oxtober Fall Festival and popular summer camps. But Oxbow is also a great place to take the kids in the spring.

The minute you arrive at the farm, you will feel like you are miles away from Eastside hustle and bustle. Gardeners diligently work on site year-round, and there is always something to see in the fields or the greenhouses.

What to do?

This beautiful farm is situated in a picturesque setting, and visitors are welcome to park their car and walk around the farm for free. (No dogs are allowed, as it is a certified organic farm.)

A young girl holds a scavenger hunt sheet for exploring Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center in Carnation near Seattle — Pick up a guide to all of the seasonal sights at Oxbow Farm. Credit: Vicky McDonald

Check in at the farm shop to pick up a map and a list of things to find around the farm for a scavenger hunt. This should keep the kids busy while you soak up the sights and the sounds of this bucolic wonderland. You can walk the fields and see all of the crops. Oxbow produce is sold at the farm stand and in farm share boxes, and native plants are grown on site for local nurseries such as Molbaks.

The main focal point for the kids is the big old yellow-and-blue tractor, which is ideal for clambering on. This year, Oxbow has added some fairy houses, so be sure to look out for these on your walk.

A young girl stands next to the farm stand selling fresh produce at Oxbow Farm near Seattle — Stock up on the freshest possible produce at Oxbow’s farm stand. Credit: Vicky McDonald

As the farm is on a floodplain, the farm stand sometimes has to close due to flooding. Check the farm’s Facebook page before visiting. Bring a snack to enjoy at one of the picnic tables that dot around the farm. We supplemented our picnic with some produce from the farm stand, which also sells a small variety of snack items and beverages.

Cost: It’s free to wander about the farm and watch the gardeners at their work.

Hours: The farm is open for visitors Wednesday–Friday, 2–6 p.m.; and Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Farm stand hours are the same.

Find it: 10819 Carnation–Duvall Rd. N.E., Carnation

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