Each year, as summer approaches, our family loves to start thinking about when and where we'd like to go strawberry picking. What's better than being caught "red-handed" in the berry patch, chowing down on those juicy red "candies."
I definitely prefer the organic ones since you know that your kids are probably going to popping these berries straight into their mouths. They'll might eat some dirt along with the berries, but at least they won't be consuming any harmful pesticides as well.
Here's a list of u-pick farms that go all out for kids. I've also tried to note which ones are use organic farming methods.
234 Ball Street
Northborough, Massachusetts
Comment:
Strawberry Season: Early June to Mid-July.
reviewed on: May 05 2009
This is a great farm to take the kids anytime from June through October. They've got something to pick whether it's strawberries or apples or a pumpkin for Halloween.
When the kids were younger with a shorter attention span, the playground with the antique tractor and barnyard animals were fun to watch. They've got goats, pigs, ducks, and more.
677 NC Hwy 98E
Bunn, North Carolina
Comment:
Organic farm. Strawberry Season: April through early June.
reviewed on: May 05 2009
Beyond the delicious organically grown strawberries at Vollmer Farm, there's a homemade ice cream parlor, a tractor-pulled barrel rides, baby goats, an airplane to climb around in and a couple of swings for kids to play on.
The BackForty Playground is open from September through October and we got to visit last fall. They have a huge blob that the kids and adults can jump on that's really fun. I think I burned a good 5 pounds trying to jump up and down on that thing without sliding off. For the $15 admission, there's a lot to do. Admission is free for kids under 2 since many of them might be afraid of the rides and games. A great place to come and enjoy the autumn season with the kids.
750 Wiltsie Bridge Rd.
Ancram, New York
Comment:
Organic farm 2 hours north of NYC. Strawberry season: second week of June through the second week of July.
3012 Route 213
Stone Ridge, New York
Comment:
Organic farm. Strawberry season: June-September. About 2 hours north of NYC.
812 Sound Avenue
Wading River, New York
Comment:
Strawberry Season: July. 1st pick your own farm on Long Island. About 1.5 hours east of NYC.
reviewed on: June 07 2009
We've come to Lewin Farms with the kids in the past and they love it! The strawberries are delicious and super juicy. Your kids will certainly leave "red-handed" and with reminders of their fun on their clothes (so don't have them wear anything that can't handle a stain or two).
The farm stand has water, other drinks and snacks. If you have younger children, I would recommend bringing a lunch, so you don't have to hunt for a restaurant afterwards and deal with cranky hungry kids.
The farm also has peach, apple and other fruit orchards, so you'll definitely have an excuse to come here more than once a year.
Strawberries are great for smaller kids (under 5) since they are on the ground. When apple picking, the trees usually have lower branches with some apples at just the right height for your four foot preschoolers. You should easily be able to pick a bag's worth of crisp apples for home.
14466 S. Military Trail
Delray Beach, Florida
Comment:
Hydroponic farm. Strawberry season: Through July.
18780 Foggy Bottom Road
Bluemont, Virginia
Comment:
Strawberry Season: mid-May to mid-June
reviewed on: May 05 2009
"Great outdoor day trip from DC for the kids"
If your kids get tired of seeing all the monuments and museums in DC, you might want to give them a break and take them on a fruit picking excursion.
Great Country Farms has a variety of fruits and vegetables to pick from asparagus to potatoes, peaches to strawberries. They've got great events like the family harvest in the fall. Our kids loved the pig racing event.
We don't buy a lot since we're usually just visiting the area, but it's always a fun way to add some fresh fruit that's picked by your own hands into the usual burgers and fries travel menu.
2331 Country Road 4
Carlton, Minnesota
Comment:
Organic farm. Strawberry season: July.
6837 Elder Lane
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Comment:
Organic farm. Strawberry season: Late June.
25 Swanton Road
Davenport, California
Comment:
Organic farm. Strawberry Season: June through October from 8am-6pm
Between San Francisco and Santa Cruz
40 Zils Rd Watsonville
Watsonville, California
Comment:
Organic farm. Strawberry season: March to October
Near Santa Cruz
2500b Walnut Blvd. Brentwood
Brentwood, California
Comment:
Season: April through July
Near San Francisco
20872 County Road 99
Woodland, California
Comment:
Small organic farm. Strawberry season: April-July.
Near Sacramento.
6700 General Beale Road
Bakersfield, California
Comment:
Strawberry season: April and May
Near Bakersfield.
Cannon Road and Paseo del Norte
just east of I-5 Carlsbad, California
Comment:
Strawberry Season: April through June
Near San Diego.
5380 3/4 University Dr
Irvine, California
Comment:
Season: March-June
Organic farm with strawberry tours for kids. Not a full U-pick farm, but there's a little picking and eating at the end of the tour. Near Los Angeles
23135 SW Jaquith Road
Newberg, Oregon
Comment:
Strawberry Season: Late May - Early July
412 Robinson Street
Everson, Washington
Comment:
Organic Farm. Strawberry Season: June- Mid July, Mid Aug - September
U-pick by appointment only on Sun 1-6pm. Call 360-966-4939
4520 River Road
Tacoma, Washington
Comment:
Organic Farm. Strawberry season: June- Mid July.
14003 Smokey Point Blvd
Marysville, Washington
Comment:
Strawberry season: June-early July.
27010 78th Ave. S
Kent, Washington
Comment:
Strawberry season: June-early July.
27405 78th Ave. S
Kent, Washington
Comment:
Strawberry season: June-early July.
19818 NW Sauvie Island Road
Portland, Oregon
Comment:
Strawberry season: June-early July.
16205 NW Gillihan rd
Portland, Oregon
Comment:
Organic Farm. Strawberry season: June-September
21024 N. W. Gillihan Road
Portland, Oregon