It’s the tastiest time of year, maple syrup season! The sap is flowing and so will the kids as they head off on March Break adventures. If you’re looking for fun things to do this March Break, York Durham Headwaters has oodles of places and activities that the whole family will love. And one of the sweetest things to do is enjoy one of the many maple syrup experiences across the region.
A lovely spot in York Region to visit during March Break is Willowgrove Farm. Since 1968, Willowgrove Farm has been a staple in the community. Set on 100-acres of the Greenbelt in Stouffville, this working farm has always had a mission to help kids and families develop a solid connection to the community, land, as well as to personal growth.
Along with being a popular field trip destination for Toronto and area schools, Willowgrove runs a variety of programs, camps, and events throughout the year. They focus on outdoor education to create a strong appreciation for the natural world.
During March Break you can take part in Willowgrove Farm’s ‘A True Canadian Experience’! This is what they’ve affectionately dubbed their maple syrup experience. The sweet interactive tour shares the history of maple syrup production and brings guests through the process of how it’s made. Plus, you’ll get to take part in it too!
Discover how to identify a maple tree in the winter. Then learn and participate in the art of tapping a tree, from hand drilling a hole to installing a tap. Your hard work will be rewarded with a sweet tasting of maple syrup at their sugar shack. First try a drop of the fresh sap straight from the tree. Then enjoy a cup of the finished product. You’ll be wowed by the difference! And this is only the tip of the proverbial maple taffy stick of fun to be found on Willowgrove Farm’s March Break maple syrup tour!
The maple syrup experience at Willowgrove Farm runs Saturday 9th and 16th as well as 11th to 15th during March Break. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online before they arrive, as there are limited available in person.
Before you leave stop by their Pop-Up Market for some farm fresh goodies to bring home! The market sells a variety of items including Willowgrove honey and apple cider, as well as fun camp mugs.
Beyond the March Break maple syrup tours there are so many more wonderful things to do at Willowgrove Farm! Along with the maple tours, Willowgrove hosts a number of seasonal events throughout the year, like Christmas on the Farm. Plus, you’ll also find a list of workshops on their website as well as Indigenous education programing.
One of their most popular programs is their camps. They run a day camp for kids at their Stouffville location and an overnight camp at their site in Brancroft. In addition, Willowgrove is home to a nature-based school called Take Root Nature School. This is the perfect supplement with traditional schooling to teach your children about a wide array of nature-based topics like agriculture, the environment, and more!
Willowgrove Farm is a fun place to visit for all ages in the late summer and fall too! Visit the orchard and pick your own apples or pop by the pumpkin patch to choose the perfect gourd!
With its close proximity to the city, Willowgrove Farm is a wonderful place to visit on a day trip from Toronto and the GTA. It’s ideal for families looking for fun things to do for March Break in southern Ontario. Plus, with tons of events and activities, Willowgrove Farm is the ideal year-round family destination.
By Stephanie Mayo from The World As I See It – travel blog
Download your very own maple syrup map below!
