What better way to teach your children where food comes from and spend a fun fall day together than to take a trip to a Pick Your Own apple orchard? Plan your visit beforehand, though, so you don't waste time and money.
When Should You Go to Pick Apples?
- Think about what you plan to use the apples for (baking, snacking, etc.), and research which varieties of apples are best for each purpose and when these kinds are ripe to pick.
- Arrive first thing in the morning to avoid long lines.
- Go early in the season before all the trees have been picked clean.
Where Is the Best Place to Go to Pick Your Own Apples?
Consider the following questions:
- How far can you travel? Many of the best farms are an hour or more outside of cities, and younger children might not always be up for longer drives.
- Why are you picking your own apples? Do you want to save money, to stock up on particular kinds of apples, to have a fun experience, or all of the above? Remember that many family-owned farms have the public come pick apples to make money, not to sell their crop wholesale. The good news is that when you visit such farms, you are not only educating and entertaining your children, you are also providing a much-needed source of income to a family farm.
- Are there activities beyond apple-picking that your children would like to do? Many farms offer agritainment (agriculture + entertainment) such as petting zoos, tours of fields or cider mills, tractor rides, hayrides, wagon rides, train rides, pony rides, live music, moon bounces, play areas, corn mazes, hay bale mazes, or face-painting.
- Do you want to pick and/or purchase crops other than apples?
Once you have a general idea what kind of experience you are looking for, locate the orchards nearest you. Then visit websites for the different farms, get recommendations from friends, and read online reviews of other people's experiences. One farm might prove to have a reputation for unfriendly service, another might not offer good quality produce, and a third might be too expensive.
What Should You Do Once You Have Picked an Apple Orchard Farm to Visit?
- Call ahead to make sure it is still in business.
- Confirm the admission price, the per pound pricing, and the minimum amount of apples customers are required to purchase.
- Print out clear directions and a map to the farm.
- Prepare children for the visit by teaching them about apple orchards and explaining how they should behave at one.
What Should You Bring to Pick Apples?
Remember, your hands will be full of apples (and possibly tired children), so don't bring any more than you have to! But do bring:
- Cash! Many farms do not take credit cards.
- Bags? Check the farm's policy. They may offer bags if you forget to bring them, and some farms require you to purchase specific bags of a certain size.
- Sunscreen, sunhats, and bug spray
- A camera
- Wet wipes for cleaning up grubby hands
- Play clothes and comfortable play shoes
- A wagon? Usually you can rent one there.
- A stroller? Its wheels may not work well over rough ground, so a sling or baby carrier might be a better option.
With a little planning and preparation, your family can spend a day gathering memories to last for a lifetime and apples to last for at least a couple of months!
Renee Carver - Renée Carver has an Elementary Education degree and over ten years of experience writing and editing children's educational products.
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