We headed to the apple orchard this weekend and had a wonderful time! It was a beautiful day and our first glimpse of the glorious fall weather to come.

We read several picture books in anticipation of our trip to the orchard.

–Apple Picking Time by Michele Benoit Slawson

–How do Apples Grow by Giulio Maestro

–Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh

–The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons

During our journey out to the orchard, we listened to Jim Weiss’s recording of American Tall Tales. It includes an educational and entertaining story about Johnny Appleseed!

At the orchard, we took our time searching for the best apples and enjoying the fresh air. We picked two bags of peaches, a wagon full of apples, and a whole bag full of grapes!

Unfortunately, most of the grapes were consumed at our post-picking celebratory picnic (complete with cheese, crackers, olives, sparkling cider and, of course, the mouth-watering apples, peaches, and grapes).

We managed to get some nature study in at the orchard as well, making observations about the apple and peach trees and the grapes vines.

Back at home, we had a fun afternoon making apple prints. While the boys stamped away, I read aloud the story about finding a hidden star inside of apples sliced horizontally through the middle.

We have mostly been enjoying our crisp, juicy apples straight out of the fruit bowl, or sliced and dipped in caramel, but our oldest son helped me make an apple pie and some baked apples chips before they were all consumed.

Do you have any special end of summer/early fall plans?

Thanks for reading!