Truth be told, visiting an apple orchard remains a wonderful and vibrant way to engage kids and preschoolers in outdoor learning and fun.
Keep in mind that the fresh air, lush apple trees, and exciting fruit provide the ideal background for activities that fuse together education and entertainment.
To ensure kids have good fun as well as gain very insightful knowledge, below are some of the best activities and games to consider.
Best Apple Orchard Activities and Games for Kids and Preschoolers
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Apple Picking
This is one of the activities that comes to mind when considering how kids can have fun in an apple orchard.
Note that apple picking works to ensure that kids understand where food comes from as well as aids them develop fine motor skills.
To make it fun, consider giving each child a small basket and ask them to find apples of specific colors or sizes.
It is also possible to turn it into a scavenger hunt by making available clues such as, “Find the reddest apple on the tree!”
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Apple Sorting and Counting
One good thing about sorting and counting activities is that they work to develop math and organizational skills. This is one of the best options you would want to consider.
Note that once the apples are picked, you will have to ask the kids to sort them by size, color, or type. Aside from that, count the apples together and analyze which group has the most or least.
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Apple-Themed Scavenger Hunt
Another exciting activity kids will love is adding an adventurous element to the visit. To play, you will want to take your time to come up with a list of orchard-related items for kids to find, such as a green apple, a fallen leaf, a squirrel, or even a tiny apple. Hand this list over to them with a crayon to check off their findings.
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Storytime Under the Apple Tree
One good thing about storytimes is that they work to foster imagination as well as a love for reading.
To organize, pick apple-themed books such as “Ten Apples Up On Top” by Dr. Seuss or “Apple Trouble” by Ragnhild Scamell.
Bring the kids together under a shady apple tree and ensure to make it interactive by asking questions about the story.
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Apple-Themed Arts and Crafts
Kids will love this particular activity because aside from encouraging creativity, it also provides a keepsake from the visit.
It is an exciting activity that will keep the kids interested while it lasts. Some of the craft ideas to consider include:
- Apple Stamping: Cut apples in half, dip them in paint, and stamp them onto paper to come up with mind-blowing patterns.
- Leaf Rubbing: This entails leveraging leaves found at the orchard to come up with crayon rubbings.
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Apple Relay Races
Note that physical activities such as relay races work to burn off energy while promoting teamwork.
To play, start by dividing the kids into teams and have them carry apples on spoons to a designated spot.
The team that finishes first without dropping the apples wins. You can also make it more enticing by adding an incentive that will go to the team that wins.
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Taste Testing and Apple Snacks
You can’t afford to not consider this particular option. It is indeed one of the easiest and most exciting ways to introduce kids to new flavors and textures.
It will entail you setting up a tasting station with different apple varieties (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji).
You would also want to discuss the differences in taste, texture, and color. Don’t forget to serve simple snacks such as apple slices with peanut butter or caramel dip.
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Mini Science Experiments
Hands-on experiments work to spark curiosity about how things work. Some good experiments to try out include:
- Floating Apples: This entails testing to see if apples sink or float. You will also have to explain why they float as a result of air pockets.
- Apple Browning: This involves observing how apples turn brown when exposed to air as well as how lemon juice slows the process.
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Orchard Obstacle Course
This is another physical activity to ensure that the kids expunge their energies while having fun. It is without doubt an activity that brings together exercise with fun.
To set up, create obstacles such as weaving through trees, hopping over hay bales, and carrying apples through a path. Make sure to time each child while also cheering them on!
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Nature Walk and Leaf Collection
You can also organize a nature walk that involves leaf collection. One good thing about this activity is that it works to foster an appreciation of the environment.
Give each child a bag to collect interesting leaves, twigs, or other small natural items. Make sure to leverage the items to come up with a nature collage back at home.