Thinking of taking your kids strawberry picking this season? Go ahead! Berry picking makes a warm family memory and is something you will likely want to repeat every year. But steer clear of berry patch pitfalls that can sour a sweet excursion. Here’s a roundup of helpful reminders before you hop in the car and go. If you set your expectations ahead of time, your family will enjoy their outing to the fullest.
Go Early In The Season. Strawberry seasons vary by region, and your season start will be affected by weather. So keep your eyes peeled for announcements about nearby field openings. You want your berries to be ready to pick without too many unripe berries slowing down your productivity. A week or two after the season opens in your area is a good time to go. But if you have an early hot snap, go as close to opening as you can.
Call Ahead. There are a few things you want to know before you arrive at the berry patch. First of all, do they only take cash or will they take a card? If only cash, be sure to bring a bit more than you think you will need. Do you bring your own containers or will they provide containers? Some may allow both, but be prepared if the farm does not provide any. If not, bring a bucket with a handle for each child. If you are short on buckets, swing by the dollar store on your way. Finally, does the patch provide wagons or may you bring your own? Pick a sturdy wagon and tag it with your name so other pickers don’t borrow it.
Arrive In The Morning. Strawberry fields are chosen for full, all-day sun. By going earlier in the day, you can steer clear of afternoon crowds and avoid sunburns. Be sure to apply sunscreen before you go, no matter what time of day you decide to pick. Once the sun comes out, expect the temperature to surge.
Wear Your Grubbies. Expect kids to get filthy when you go to the strawberry patch and you won’t be disappointed afterwards. Hands and faces will likely be stained with strawberry juice, clothes will be splattered with red stains, and everything will be smudged with dirt. Plan a run through the sprinkler when you get home, if it’s warm enough, or have more outdoor playtime in the yard before a nice, long bath.
Don Sturdy Shoes. Rows of berries are planted close together to maximize berry output. Pickers are expected to tightrope walk narrow rows of uneven dirt sometimes far out into the fields. Therefore make sure each person in the family wears their sturdiest shoes. Wearing sandals and flip-flops may result in twisted ankles. Fields may be muddy from rain or watering, so leave dressy shoes at home. Whatever sturdy shoes you have that are stain-proof make a good choice.
Divide Up Your Charges. If you are taking a group of young children picking, you will face some challenges. To keep everyone orderly, partner school-age children with toddlers and pre-schoolers. Consider inviting other families to come with you and share supervision responsibilities. A baby can be carried, if it’s not too hot. But if you have an uncooperative toddler, who does not appreciate new adventures, maybe let that child stay home with a sitter and pick with the rest of your kids. Or consider bringing a tween or teen to supervise a toddler on the edge of the field so everyone else can enjoy picking.
Set Ground Rules. Strawberry fields are typically larger than a football field, and kids can spread out quickly, so expect everyone to stick together. Once you find a spot with ample berries, you should not have to walk very far to fill up your baskets. But that’s early in the season. Expect to walk further and further as the season progresses. Decide how many berries each child can eat while picking, taking farm rules into consideration. No matter how tempting, do not allow your kids to have berry fights, which will not be appreciated by other pickers or your hosts.
Don’t Bring Rover. Strawberry fields do not allow dogs to step even one paw near the fields because of strict farming rules. Strawberry field parking is typically in full sun, which means you won’t be able to leave your beloved pet in the car. So reconcile yourself to leaving dogs at home before you leave to go picking and avoid unnecessary upsets.
Discuss & Demonstrate. Talk about the most effective ways to pick berries before you get to the field. Place berries gently into the bucket rather than tossing them. A bucket full of berries with stems attached will hold up longer than berries without stems. Bright red berries are just right, whereas blackish-red berries are too ripe. Leave whitish, unripe berries in the field to continue to ripen. Once you arrive at your picking spot, demonstrate the way to pick. Encircle the entire berry with the whole hand, grabbing the stem with the thumb and forefinger, pinching and twisting the stem about a half-inch above the berry until the stem breaks. If children manhandle their berries, consume the most bruised berries first. They will still taste delicious.
Eat Before You Go. If the berries you are picking are not organic, you may want to limit eating until after they are rinsed. Bring a gallon of water with you in the car, and rinse a couple of pints off after purchase. Put a colander in your car to make this job easier. You may also wish to bring hand wipes, water to drink, and a few rags to dust yourselves off with before you get back in the car. For muddy, early spring days, bring beach towels to cover car seats for the ride home. These can also protect your car interior from berry juice stains, if you have children eating berries all the way home.
44 Recipes to Try
- Applesauce
- Brownies
- Butter
- Cake
- Cheesecake
- Cheese Pie
- Chocolate-covered
- Cobbler
- Coffee Cake
- Cookies
- Cream Cheese
- Cream Puffs
- Crisp
- Crumb Bars
- Cupcakes
- Doughnuts
- Freezer Pops
- Frosting
- Frozen Yogurt
- Fruit Roll-up
- Gummies
- Ice Cream
- Jam
- Jello
- Julius
- Lemonade
- Limeade
- Milkshake
- Muffins
- Parfaits
- Pie
- Popsicles
- Pudding
- Salad
- Salad Dressing
- Sauce
- Scones
- Slushie
- Smoothie
- Sorbet
- Spring Rolls
- Toaster Pastries
- Trifle
- Truffles
Serve Strawberries With
- Angel Food Cake
- Cereal
- Chocolate
- Crepes
- Doughnuts
- French Toast
- Fondue
- Half & Half
- Ice Cream
- Oatmeal
- Pancakes
- Poundcake
- Shortcake
- Waffles
- Whipped Cream
Pair Strawberries With
- Bacon
- Bananas
- Balsamic vinegar
- Basil
- Butter
- Cream
- Cream Cheese
- Maple Syrup
- Lettuce
- Rosemary
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
