Kool for Momz N Dadz

Take a trip to the farm…

Fall is such a great opportunity to get together with family and friends for a little family fun.  One of our favorite activities is an annual trip to a local farm for pumpkin and apple picking.  We have a few favorite spots located in Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties in New York State… [Ed. ~1 hour from NYC]

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Road
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Website: http://www.wilkensfarm.com/
Directions
This is a great family-run and friendly place in Northern Westchester.  My daughter and I went on an elementary school trip there several years ago and we really enjoyed it.  The visit included a short lesson on growing apples and a discussion about the many different types.  Each child had the opportunity to pick apples and take one home with them.

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Outhouse Orchard
Hardscrabble Road
Croton Falls, NY 10519
Directions
Located in Putnam County, this farm is also a great spot for kids.  Ours have always enjoyed the pony and hay rides they offer.  We have also taken some great pictures in front of an enormous blow up pumpkin set up in the field.  They also have a terrific country shop featuring an assortment of jellies, jams, and pies.

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Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Lane
Poughquag, NY 12570
Website: www.bartonorchards.com
Directions
A little further north, in Dutchess County, Barton Orchards offers a wide variety of fun farm activites for the entire family.  This place is huge, with expansive grounds.  In addition to apple orchards and pumpkin patches, they also grow several other types of seasonal fruits.  Additionally, they have pony and hay rides, a bouncy castle/recreation area for kids, a haunted house, petting zoo and lots of yummy goodies for sale.  I seem to remember fresh donuts and lemonade being the big favorites.

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At-home fun for after the farm visit…After picking the fresh apples and an assortment of pumpkins varying in size, we look forward to plenty of activities at home.  There are so many things that can be done with the harvest!  But first, we like to pop some spooky Halloween music into our CD player to set the mood.

Pumpkin Fun

It is always fun to use pumpkins that vary in size.  We’ve come up with some fun ideas for activities though the possibilities are endless here.

• Predict which ones will weigh more or less.
• Guess the weights, weigh them and compare results.
• Make charts representing the difference in guessed and actual weights.
• Paint the pumpkins.
• Carve the pumpkins and make jack-o-lanterns.
• Play hot potato with the small pumpkins.

Apple Fun

• Go Apple Bobbing: Set up a shallow bowl or tub with water on the bottom.  Everyone takes a turn trying to bite into an apple to pick it up - No hands allowed!
• Pass the Apple: Here’s the tricky part.  Place the apple between your chin and neck.  Then, pass it to the next person in between his/her chin and neck.  Try setting up teams and see which team can finish passing the apple to each of its players first.
• Try a great and easy applesauce recipe.

12 apples

(I like MacIntosh but you can substitute Gala, Empire or Romes if you like.)

Steam the apples for about 10-12 minutes.  When they pierce easily, they are cooked.  Set apples aside and reserve liquid to cool.  Once cooled, peel off skin, remove seeds and core, and chop the apple.  Puree the fruit, adding reserve liquid as needed to adjust consistency.  Enjoy!

By: Toni Ann Malandruccolo