Guide to Sunflower Farm Adventures (2025)

There's something magical about stepping into a field of towering sunflowers with your kids—their faces lighting up as they're dwarfed by golden blooms stretching toward the sky. As summer reaches its peak in Wisconsin, sunflower farms offer families the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, photo opportunities, and hands-on learning that creates memories to last a lifetime.

Planning Your Sunflower Adventure

Wisconsin's sunflower season is beautifully brief, typically running from late July through early September. The peak bloom for any single field lasts just one to three weeks, making timing absolutely crucial for your family outing.

Pro Parent Tip: Always check the farm's Facebook page or website before heading out. Weather patterns and planting schedules can shift bloom times, and you don't want to arrive with excited kids only to find bare fields!

Lannon Sunflower Farm (Menomonee Falls)

Best for: Active families with kids who love mazes

Just a short drive from the North Shore, this farm is a family favorite for good reason. Beyond the stunning sunflower fields, kids will love navigating the corn maze and exploring the wildflower gardens. The farm welcomes leashed dogs, making it perfect for families with furry members too.

• Admission: $20 per vehicle (includes 12 u-pick sunflowers)

• Payment: Cash only—stop at the ATM first!

• Season: Mid-July to mid-September

• Hours: Typically 10am-7pm, Wed-Sun

Thompson Farm (Bristol)

Best for: Families wanting a full adventure experience

This "adventure farm" is designed with kids in mind, featuring multiple photo opportunities with props like vintage tractors and even a piano in the fields. The farm offers different experiences throughout the week:

• Weekday Sunflower Stroll (Wed-Fri): Perfect for peaceful family time

• Weekend Sunflower Festival (Sat-Sun): Live entertainment and kids' activities

• Weekend Sunset in the Sunflowers (Sat-Sun evenings): Magical golden hour photos

Family Bonus: Each child's admission includes a shaved ice treat!

Basse's Taste of Country (Colgate)

Best for: Families who love fall festivities

While their sunflowers bloom later in September, this farm combines sunflower mazes with their Apple & Sunflower Fest, plus zinnia fields and grain train rides. It's cashless, so no need to worry about having exact change.

Skelly's Farm Market (Janesville)

Best for: Photography-loving families and sunflower variety enthusiasts

While a bit further from the North Shore (about 1.5 hours), Skelly's offers a truly unique experience with their 5-acre sunflower field featuring 20 different varieties of sunflowers. The farm is thoughtfully designed with three distinct zones: a walking area for leisurely strolls, a cutting area for u-pick flowers, and a specialty flower area showcasing the incredible diversity of sunflower types. They also offer corn maze adventures in the fall.

What makes Skelly's special for families is their attention to photo opportunities—multiple "prop stops" with straw bales and ladders, plus viewing platforms that give kids (and parents!) elevated views of the expansive fields. It's like a sunflower education and photography workshop combined!

Making It Fun for Kids of All Ages

For Toddlers (Ages 3-5):

• Let them help carry the flower container

• Point out bees and butterflies in the fields

• Create a simple scavenger hunt (find the tallest sunflower, spot a bee, etc.)

• Bring a wagon for tired little legs

For Elementary Age (Ages 6-11):

• Teach them about how sunflowers follow the sun

• Let them be the family photographer with a kid-friendly camera

• Challenge them to find different types of flowers

• Bring a nature journal for sketching

For Tweens/Teens (Ages 12+):

• Put them in charge of the family's social media posts

• Let them plan photo compositions and poses

• Discuss the agricultural science behind farming

• Give them their own flower-cutting responsibilities

Essential Family Packing List

Must-Haves:

• Water bottles for everyone (fields get hot!)

• Sunscreen and hats

• Bug spray (trust us on this one)

• Sharp scissors or clippers for flower cutting

• Clean mason jars or containers with water for your flowers

• Cash AND cards (payment policies vary)

• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes that can get dirty

Nice-to-Haves:

• Picnic lunch for a field feast

• Wet wipes for sticky fingers

• Small backpack for carrying supplies

• Portable phone charger for all those photos

Photography Tips for Families

Golden Hour Magic: Visit one hour before sunset for the most stunning photos. The soft light eliminates harsh shadows and creates that Instagram-worthy glow.

Get Creative with Angles: Don't just stand in front of the flowers. Try:

• Lying on the ground and shooting up at your kids and the sunflowers

• Close-ups of little hands holding flower stems

• Action shots of kids running through the rows

• Silhouettes against the evening sky

Clothing That Pops: Solid, bright colors photograph beautifully against sunflowers. Avoid busy patterns or large logos that can be distracting.

Farm Etiquette for Families

Teaching kids proper farm etiquette is part of the learning experience:

• Stay on designated paths to protect the crops

• Only pick flowers in u-pick areas and follow farm rules

• Clean up after yourselves and any pets

• Be respectful of other families sharing the space

• Ask permission before touching any farm equipment or decorations

Making the Most of Your Visit

Plan for 2-3 Hours: This gives you time to explore, pick flowers, take photos, and maybe enjoy a snack without rushing.

Bring Learning Opportunities: Discuss how sunflowers grow, why they face the sun, and what farmers do to care for their crops.

Create Traditions: Consider making sunflower farm visits an annual family tradition. Kids love returning to favorite spots and seeing how they've grown from year to year.

Budget-Friendly Tips

• Many farms charge per vehicle rather than per person, making it economical for larger families

• Pack your own lunch and drinks

• Bring your own cutting tools to avoid purchase fees

• Look for weekday rates, which are sometimes lower than weekend prices

After Your Visit

Don't let the fun end when you leave the farm! Once you're home:

• Arrange your flowers in vases around the house

• Press some petals in books for future crafts

• Create a photo album or scrapbook of your adventure

• Plan your next visit to a different farm

Safety Reminders

• Stay hydrated in the summer heat

• Watch for uneven ground and holes in fields

• Be aware of bees and other beneficial insects (they're usually harmless if left alone)

• Apply sunscreen regularly during your visit

Final Thoughts

A sunflower farm adventure offers families the perfect combination of outdoor fun, educational opportunities, and memory-making moments. Whether you're seeking the perfect family photo, wanting to teach kids about agriculture, or simply looking for a unique way to spend time together, Wisconsin's sunflower farms provide an experience that will have everyone beaming as brightly as the flowers themselves.

Remember to check each farm's current status before you go, bring your sense of adventure, and prepare to create golden memories that will last long after the flowers have faded.

Happy sunflower hunting, North Shore families!