Going to an orchard to pick apples is a wonderful fall activity for kids and families. This apple orchard field trip guide for kids contains everything you need to know to enjoy harvesting apples this autumn. Below you will find links to a harvesting guide, how to find apple orchards and “pick your own” farms in your area, apple activities, apple book recommendations, and a bunch of awesome apple recipes so you can enjoy the fruits of your labors!
Go on a field trip to an apple orchard this autumn for a class field trip or a fun homeschool family adventure! Going to an orchard to pick apples is a fun activity for kids and families to try in the fall.
Even though we have a few of our own apple trees on our property, our family likes to visit an apple orchard each fall as a part of our daughter’s education.
For more fall field trip ideas check out Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Ideas and Corn Maze Field Trip Ideas!
Related: Fall Bucket List Family Guide for the Best Autumn Ever!
The Best Apple Orchard Field Trip Ideas for Kids and Families
Visit a pick your own apple orchard this fall! Use these handy tips to make a plan to take your family or class apple picking this harvest.
Apples are typically ripe for the picking from Mid-June to Mid-November depending on the variety of apple. The most common varieties are just beginning to ripen at this time of year.
The post is a part of the Get Outside and Connect Series. Click on the link to learn more about it.
Related: Signs of Autumn Fall Scavenger Hunt for Kids
How to Find an Apple Orchard Near You
Organic apple orchards are recommended, but harder to find. Check your local newspaper, family resource guide, or do a Google search for a “Pick Your Own” apple farm near you!
Make sure you call the apple orchard to ask:
- When the smallest crowd is expected.
- If the branches are low enough for small children to pick. Odds are you won’t want to be holding your child up all day or hauling a ladder around with you.
- Do they have wagons available or if they allow you to bring your own.
- Is there is food available for purchase or if they have a place to sit and eat if you bring your own picnic.
Related: How to Sew a Button Apple Tree
Apple Orchard Field Trip Ideas: Bring Your Own Apple Picking Basket
The apple orchard will most likely have bags available for picking, but we recommend bringing your own baskets and/or reusable bags. My favorite free trade baskets for farmers markets, and pick your own farms can be found at the following affiliate link.
Apple Activities for kids
Before and after you go to the apple orchard you can extend your child’s learning by trying some of these fun autumn apple activities!
- Teach your children about the parts of an apple; Core, seeds, flesh, skin, stem, and leaf.
- Lay an apple on its side and cut into thin sections. Show the child the star in the center of the apple around the core.
- Peel apples for many of the recipes found below using an easy countertop apple peeler and corer
. Peeling and coring apples is a wonderful practical life activity for food preparation that kids LOVE! - Print out this Apple Life Cycle Printable by The Stay at Home Educator.
- Learn how an apple grows with this Preschool Apple Science Activity from Little Bins for Little Hands.
- Try this easy Apple Science Experiment by Pre-K Pages.
. Peeling and coring apples is a wonderful practical life activity for food preparation that kids LOVE!Apple Crafts for Kids
Try your hand at a few apple crafts this fall!
- Make an Apple Hedgehog using a real apple. Using toothpicks to make a hedgehog is an easy fine motor apple activity for kids.
- Craft a Clove Apple Pomander from Crafting a Green World.
- Make an Oak Apple Nature Craft
- Try your hand at a few apple crafts. Craft an apple button tree (with glue) or sew your own apple button tree. Click on the links to learn more!
- Weave an apple onto a paper plate using this fun apple craft idea from Easy Crafts for Kids.
- Try apple stamping art. Cut apples in half and dip them in tempura paint to make apple prints!
- You can find a few more apple crafts HERE.
Awesome Apple Recipes
Wondering what you’re going to do with all those apples?
Below you will find several awesome apple recipes to enjoy the fruits of your labor. I highly recommend making some applesauce or apple butter as a part of your apple activities. A countertop apple peeler 
makes it easy!
- Apple Pie Oatmeal Breakfast Recipe
- The Magic of Caramel Apples | Inspiring NH Kids
- Apple Crisp (Substitute Apples and add a teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/3 cup of OJ to this gluten-free recipe)
- Easy Recipe for Applesauce | Teaching 2 and 3-Year-Olds
- Cinnamon Apple Zucchini Muffins | Arts and Crackers
- Apple Squash Bread | Sunny Day Family
- Baked Apples with Walnuts | Totally the Bomb
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter (No sugar added!) | Bakerita
- Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips | Sally’s Baking Addiction
- Apple Fritter Monkey Bread | Bren Did
Related: Low Fat Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
Related: Human Sundial Shadow Science Experiment
Apple Book Recommendations
To extend learning you can read some of these books with your children both before and after you go to an apple orchard. Click on the (affiliate link) images below to learn more about each book.
For more of our fall favorites check out Autumn Stories Children LOVE!
- Apples for Everyone
- Apples
- How Do Apples Grow?
- Apple Picking Time
- Johnny Appleseed
- The Apple Pie Tree
- Fall Apples
- The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree
- Apples and Pumpkins
Related: Books That Teach Children Important Life Lessons
The Best Apple Learning Toys and Games for Children
Related: The Best Toys for Open-Ended Play
Apple Orchard Field Trip Ideas for Kids
An outing to an apple orchard can be the beginning of a wonderful autumn harvest celebration for both schools and families. Visiting an apple farm is a fun activity for a class field trip or a family adventure whether you homeschool or not.
You may also like our Fall Bucket List for the Best Autumn Ever!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
Such a cute article!
Thanks, Lisa! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!