Strawberry picking has become one of those summer traditions that I look forward to every year. There is something special about spending a few hours outside, letting the kids run around, and coming home with fresh strawberries that they picked themselves. This year, I went to Ferme Marineau in Laval with my sister, her three kids, and three of my kids. That meant two adults, four older kids, and two toddlers under the age of three. Since I don’t drive, I wanted to share the full experience, including how we got there, what we spent, and whether I think it was worth it.

Strawberry Picking at Ferme Marineau in Laval: What We Loved, What We’d Skip, and What It Actually Cost Us

A Little About Ferme Marineau

Located in Laval, Ferme Marineau is a family farm that has been welcoming visitors for generations. What started as a traditional agricultural operation has grown into a popular family destination where people can enjoy seasonal activities, including strawberry picking, a farm market, food options, a playground, and animals.

It is the kind of place where you can easily spend a few hours. The kids can pick strawberries, play, enjoy a treat, and experience a little bit of farm life without having to travel far from the city.

Getting There Without a Car

One reason I wanted to share this visit is that many family-outing reviews assume everyone has a vehicle. Since I don’t drive, transportation is always something I have to consider when planning activities.

Getting to Ferme Marineau was actually very easy. We took an Uber from our home, and it was about a 19-minute ride. Since we went on a Sunday, traffic was not bad at all.

Our Uber cost:

$16 to get there (before tip)
$16 to get home (before tip)

For us, the convenience was worth it. It saved us from having to coordinate rides or rent a vehicle, and it made this outing accessible.

How Much Did Strawberry Picking Cost for Our Family?

Here’s exactly what we spent:

Uber there: $16
Uber home: $16
Admission for 6 people over the age of 3: approximately $21
Two 4L baskets of strawberries: $39.98
Six ice creams and one fruit slushie: $27
Tomato pizza, one artisanal spicy sausage, and two mint plants: $30

Total spent: $149.98

For our group of eight (two adults, four older kids, and two toddlers under three who were free), this worked out to about $18.75 per person.

Considering this included transportation, admission, 8 litres of fresh strawberries, dessert, and a couple of plants to bring home, I thought it was a pretty reasonable summer outing.

Things We Loved About Ferme Marineau

The kids had so much fun

The biggest win was seeing the kids enjoy themselves. Strawberry picking is such a simple activity, but there is something about letting them fill their own baskets that makes it feel special. It was my two nephews’ first time going strawberry picking, and I’m so glad I was there to witness this special moment.

It’s more than just strawberry picking

What I liked about Ferme Marineau is that the outing didn’t end once we filled our baskets. The kids enjoyed the other activities available, and treats on-site made it easy to stay longer.

It’s close to Montreal

For families in the Montreal area, the location is convenient. Even without a car, it was an easy trip for us.

Fresh strawberries are always worth it

There is nothing like eating strawberries that were picked the same day. We brought home 8 litres, and they were enjoyed fresh and will also be used for baking and freezing.

Things to Keep in Mind (The Cons)

The cost can add up quickly

The admission and strawberries were expected, but adding lunch, drinks, ice cream, and market purchases can quickly increase your total. If you’re trying to keep the outing budget-friendly, I would recommend bringing your own lunch and setting expectations with the kids before arriving.

The minimum strawberry purchase

Because we had six paying visitors, we needed to purchase a minimum amount of strawberries. We decided to get two 4L baskets (8L total), which worked well for our family, but it is something to know before going if you only want to pick a small amount.

It can be a lot with toddlers

The farm is very family-friendly, but if you have younger kids, be prepared. Between walking, carrying baskets, and keeping everyone together, it definitely requires some planning.

How We Could Save Money Next Time

Would we go back? Yes. But there are a few things I would do differently to save money:

Pack a picnic lunch instead of buying pizza.
Bring water bottles and snacks from home.
Decide ahead of time if we are buying treats like ice cream.
Bring a cooler bag for strawberries so we can stay longer without worrying about them getting warm.
Avoid extra purchases unless they are things we really want (although the mint plants were a fun addition!).

Skipping lunch and some treats could easily bring this outing closer to the $100-$120 range.

PIN IT!!

Would We Go Back?

Yes, I would. Ferme Marineau was a fun, easy summer outing that worked well for our big group. The kids enjoyed picking strawberries, running around, and of course, getting ice cream afterward.

As someone who doesn’t drive, I especially appreciated that it was close enough for an affordable Uber ride. Family outings can sometimes feel complicated when you don’t have a car, so finding places that are accessible and enjoyable makes a big difference.

We came home with fresh strawberries, two mint plants, full bellies, and a really nice summer memory. That’s a win in my book.

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