Ask any kid what happens in the Fall and they’ll most likely tell you that the leaves change colors and fall off the trees. What many kids may not know is that Autumn also signals the beginning of the apple season! Pumpkin gets all the attention as a Fall crop, but apples are also a great seasonal fruit. If you’ve already taken your kids to a pumpkin patch and are in search for another fun Fall activity, round up the crew and head out to an apple orchard for the day! We’ve got tips for making the day a harvest of happiness.
Do Your Research
Before heading out, spend a bit of time looking up local orchards near you. Several orchards have seasonal attractions like corn mazes, hay rides and pumpkin patches. Make a day of it by taking in all the orchard has to offer. Before packing the car, check your orchard’s policy on pets and picnics to make sure you don’t show up with anything you shouldn’t.
Pick Carefully
Apple picking is an art, not a science. When selecting your apple for picking, gently twist and pull the apple away from the branch. If it comes off easily, your apple is ripe. The orchard you visit will definitely have tips for successful apple picking and can point you in the direction of the riper trees. When picking apples, stay away from the apples on the ground- although they’re within reach of little hands, they’re overripe and as the saying goes, “one rotten apple ruins the bunch.” (It’s true, one bruised apple in your bag will rot the fastest and speed up the ripening process for the other apples).
Be Recipe Ready
Maybe you got carried away at the orchard and came home with more apples than you intended. That’s okay- there’s no shortage of delicious Fall recipes that call for apples. Apple is a surprisingly versatile ingredient; from pies to ice cream, soups to pork chops, your freshly picked apples can take your cooking to the next level.
Take Photos!
Remember to document your family’s experience, whether it’s your first time at the orchard or your kids are apple-picking pros. The fall scenery can’t be beat, with rows and rows of apple trees in bloom, leaves changing colors and your family in the middle of it all. Take advantage of the opportunity to update the frames on the mantle with gorgeous fall colors! If show and tell is coming up, your child can bring in a few photos and some apples to share their apple-picking experience with their friends and teacher.
Filed under: Family Activities, Family Fun, Holiday, Just for Fun Tagged: | Activities, apple, apple orchard, apple picking, apple tree, apples, Autumn, fall, fall activity, Kids, orchard, Parents and Kids, pumpkin, seasonal, trees
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