Want to take kids to pick apples near Pittsburgh? Head to these 7 orchards

Photo above by Summer Stock.

So many kids and their grownups love apples. They’re portable and packable, they keep fresh longer than many fruits and they’re filled with nutritious benefits, including plenty of fiber, antioxidants and water to keep kids hydrated. What’s not to love?

Pennsylvania produces more apples than nearly every other state in the country (we rank fourth, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center), with more than 5,000 orchards harvesting about 240 million bushels of apples each year.

Happily, a number of those apple orchards are within easy reach of Pittsburgh families, who can fill baskets with apples they’ve picked themselves. The farm-to-table experience teaches kids where food comes from, and many farms entertain kids with special activities on-site.

Here’s a tip, if you’re new to apple picking: Before you arrive, teach kids that the best way to pick an apple is to roll it upwards toward the branch and give it a little twist, so that it pops off easily. That works much better than trying to pull an apple straight off the branch. Also, if the apple doesn’t come off easily, it’s not ripe enough. Move onto another. And place your picked apples gently in a basket or bag to prevent bruising. Then head home to enjoy the fruit of your labor!

Here are details on seven orchards where kids and grownups are welcome:

Simmons Farm, McMurray

Apple picking is underway at Simmons Farm with Gala and Ginger Gold currently at their peak. A wide variety of other apples – from Jonagold to Granny Smith — are available throughout the orchard. Looking for a favorite? Call ahead (724-941-1490) or check the farm’s website or Facebook page to confirm what’s available on a given day. A minimum of ½ peck (about 6 pounds) is required for purchase for those over age 16. Hours vary and include some evening hours. Times are dependent on weather and apple availability. Keep an eye on social media for updates.

While you’re at Simmons Farm, don’t miss the flower fields for pick-your-own flowers.  For a flat rate, kids will get a bucket and scissors to fill with as many stems as they can fit. Tentative hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, weather permitting.

Kids will also get a kick out of the petting zoo where they can visit with goats, sheep, ducks and chickens. Make a day out of your visit and pack a lunch to enjoy at picnic tables or under the pavilion.

Triple B Farms, Monongahela

Pop’s Funyard is a big attraction at Triple B Farms. The massive playground re-opens Labor Day weekend and continues entertaining kids on weekends through the fall. Giggle with the cackling Chicken Show, zoom around on a Scootin’ Scooter, bounce on the Jumping Pillows and zip down the Squirrel Hill and Liberty tunnel slides. Admission is $7.

Of course, the main reason for your trip is picking apples, which is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Times depend on crop availability and weather, so check updates on Triple B’s Facebook page before departing. Gala and Honeycrisp are being harvested now. A total of 15 varieties, from Ginger Gold and Sweet Zinger to Ludacrisp and Somerset make their way onto the crop calendar. Apple picking is set at a minimum of 1 bag (about 15-20 apples) per two adults priced at $20 per peck (about 12 pounds).

Pick-your-own extends to the flowerbeds, too, where you can snip a gorgeous bouquet of posies — zinnias, cosmos, celosia, ageratum, rudbeckia and sunflowers — from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. daily.  Flowers are $25 per vase or return your vase for a $15 refill.

Soergel Orchards, Wexford

Six generations of the Soergel family operate six regional farms. Soergel Orchards in Wexford is the original homestead and orchard where pick-your-own farm visits started about 30 years ago. Seasonal visits have become a tradition for many Pittsburgh families.

The Soergel family welcomes farm visitors to their Wexford orchard for apple picking beginning Sept. 14 with the opening of its Fall Festival. The festival runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. Apple picking, pumpkin picking and kids activities are included in the fun.

The annual visit to Soergel’s delights kids beyond the fields and orchard. They can explore Tiny Town and the petting zoo. Soergel’s Scoops adds a sweet spot for a break with a cone of Perry’s Ice Cream in flavors like Super Hero and Graham Canyon. Soergel’s campus is a shopper’s paradise with the farm market, gift barn, garden center and wine shop.

Visit the farm’s Facebook page for schedule updates.

Shenot Farm, Wexford

The Shenot family has been farming in Wexford for six generations, reaching back to 1854. Shenot Farm’s apple orchard grows 25 varieties growing across 15 acres. Apple lovers will find a variety for their every need: cooking or crunching raw.  Trees are renewed on a continuous basis to allow the introduction of new apples along with favorites. You will find everything from old-school McIntosh and Red Delicious to exotically named Crimson Topaz and Nova Spy.

Visit the market and fill your basket with fresh-picked corn, award-winning apple cider and a variety of colorful vegetables. A highlight of your visit will be the Fudge Room. You might lose all sense of time deciding your favorite among the 50-plus flavors of small-batch fudge.

Join the email list and follow the farm’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates on pick-your-own dates and upcoming events.

Half Crown Hill Orchard and Apiary, McDonald

Half Crown Hill is the type of orchard little kids love: The dwarf apple trees are low enough for them to reach the branches and pluck fruit easily. The farm grows 17 varieties on 1,300 trees within its four acres.

Buckeye Gold, Blondee, Gale Gala and Ginger Gold are the first apples ready to pick in late August. Apple ripening continues into October with varieties like Hampshire Mac, Snapp Stayman and Smokehouse. Pick-your-own is offered from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting.

Kids will find more fun beyond apple picking. They can take turns shooting the Apple Slingshot, blowing giant bubbles and meeting the Nigerian dwarf goats. The farm’s observational beehive will give a nature lesson in making honey. Be sure to stop in the market for fresh-pressed apple cider, apple butter and baked goods. Orchard Hill’s honey collection includes specialty items like hot honey, creamed honey, lemon-ginger creamed honey, chocolate creamed honey and raspberry-lemon creamed honey. Great for adding to a buttered biscuit or as an ice cream topping.

Check Facebook, Instagram or call 412-913-4981 for the most updated pick-your-own information.

Apple Castle, New Wilmington

The name alone is appealing. Apple Castle has been a part of the agricultural community in Western Pennsylvania for over 160 years. About 50 varieties of apples are grown here, along with peaches, nectarines, sweet corn, berries, asparagus and pumpkins.

The farm’s pick-your-own-apple sessions start on Labor Day from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and continue on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through October. Picking is also open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Oct. 14.

While you’re there, plan a visit to the market bakery. Don’t miss the apple spice donuts, which have enticed customers for more than 30 years. This signature donut is made from Appel Castle cider and comes with all sorts of tasty toppings. Other specialty seasonal donuts are created every Friday and Saturday.

Follow Apple Castle’s Facebook page for updates on pick-your-own dates.

Norman’s Orchard, Frazer Township

Norman’s Orchard plans on opening pick-your-own apples on Friday, Aug. 30. Families can pick from the orchard’s 31 varieties of apples, and also harvest Concord grapes and five varieties of pears.

The Norman family started production at their farm in 1958. Heirloom apple varieties are the specialty here. You won’t find the same sorts of kids’ entertainment at Norman’s that some orchards offer. But families head to this orchard for its unique specialty fruit that can’t be found in stores.

Antique varieties include Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple, Esopus Spitzenburg, discovered in the early 1700s. The Roxbury Russet dates to 1635 and is the oldest apple native to North America. The Grimes Golden, parent to the Golden Delicious, was discovered in Virginia in 1804.

Call ahead at 724-224-9491 or check Norman’s Orchard’s Facebook page for dates and availability.

Note: This farm operates on a cash-only basis.