As the leaves start to turn and the air gets that crisp, golden feel, one classic fall tradition comes back into focus: apple picking season! Whether you head out to a local orchard or stock up on fresh apples at the market, this is the perfect time to get your kids excited about all things apple.
But instead of just tossing a few apples into their lunchbox and calling it a day, why not turn the season into a fun, sensory-filled experience that celebrates curiosity, creativity, and connection?
Here are 5 playful and memorable ways to get your kids pumped about apples this fall — and maybe even sneak in a little learning along the way!
1. Make a DIY Apple Taste Test Station
Not all apples are created equal—and kids will love discovering that for themselves. Set up a mini “apple lab” at home where they can explore different varieties.
Here’s how:
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Buy 4–6 different types of apples (like Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Red Delicious).
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Slice them up and number each type.
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Provide a chart or simple sheet of paper where kids can rate each apple for taste, texture, juiciness, and sweetness.
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Encourage descriptive words like “crunchy,” “sour,” or “super sweet.”
Add a magnifying glass and some apple facts to take it even further! Bonus points if you turn it into a blindfolded taste test—they’ll love the challenge.
2. Use Apples in a Kid-Friendly Recipe
One of the best ways to get kids involved with food is to let them make it! Apples are super versatile, and there are tons of easy, no-fuss recipes that kids can help with.
A few fun ideas:
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Apple Nachos – Slice apples thin, then drizzle with peanut butter, sprinkle with granola, raisins, chocolate chips, or shredded coconut.
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Mini Apple Pies – Use pre-made dough and a muffin tin to make bite-sized pies they can fill and decorate themselves.
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Homemade Applesauce – Peel and chop apples, simmer with cinnamon and a little water, then mash or blend. Let your child be the official taste tester.
When kids help make the recipe, they’re more excited to eat the end result—and maybe even try new apple varieties in the process.
3. Turn Apple Picking into a Scavenger Hunt
Heading to the orchard? Turn it into an adventure with a simple apple picking scavenger hunt. Create a list of fun things to find or do:
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A red apple and a green apple
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The smallest apple you can find
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A leaf with changing colors
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A wormhole (bonus science talk!)
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A branch full of apples
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Someone climbing a ladder (safely!)
Give your child a clipboard, checkboxes, and maybe even a little magnifying glass or pretend “explorer kit.” It keeps them engaged, adds some learning, and makes the experience even more interactive.
4. Get Crafty with Apple Art Projects
If you’ve got more apples than you know what to do with—or some that are too bruised to eat—use them for art!
Some kid-favorite apple crafts:
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Apple Stamps – Cut an apple in half, dip in paint, and stamp onto paper. Add a little stem and leaf for a finished look.
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Apple Suncatchers – Use tissue paper, contact paper, and construction paper to create colorful apple designs to hang in the window.
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Apple Faces – Glue on googly eyes, yarn hair, and pipe cleaner smiles to give apples a silly personality before they become snack time stars.
These projects are great for little hands and offer a wonderful way to tie creativity into the fall season.
5. Learn with Apple-Themed Books and Stories
Books can build excitement and set the stage for seasonal traditions. Choose a few apple-themed stories to read before your trip to the orchard or while snacking on apple slices.
Here are a few favorites:
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Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins (great for counting and rhythm)
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The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall (teaches about the seasons and life cycle)
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Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace (fun facts and a fictional storyline)
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How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro (great for older kids curious about science)
You can also write your own story together! Let your child create a tale about an apple that went on an adventure—add drawings and staple the pages together to make a DIY book.
Apples are more than just a snack—they're an opportunity for discovery, connection, and creativity. Whether you’re crafting, cooking, exploring, or reading, this fruit-filled season can offer so many chances to build memories with your kids.
So grab a basket, head to the orchard, and try out one (or all!) of these fun ideas. You’ll not only get your kids excited about apples—you’ll also create the kind of autumn magic that stays with them long after the last leaf falls.
🍎 Happy apple picking!
