We all know that kids need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. And the reason… We know it too well. Let’s just repeat it to make sure.
We start from the beginning as they bite into it. Yes! Good for your child’s teeth (we had to say it).
Most of the vitamins and minerals children need to develop, grow, think and fight disease are found in fruits and vegetables. The challenge is how to avoid all that nagging about healthy food and creating a negative experience at the dinner table.
Did you ever hear about picking your own fruits? It’s just an amazing fun activity for entire family. Not only you get to enjoy picking your own fruits right from the trees and bushes, you’ll teach your child that they don’t grow in supermarkets. One more fact that any adult will appreciate: “You’ll actually burn calories picking fruits!”.
There are many farms you can go to that are nearby. To find a farm near you visit the Pick Your Own website.
We particularly like to got to Monmouth County in New Jersey. It is very close by to our Dental Office in Staten Island. There is a farm we like called Battleview Orchards. This place is famous for their Apple Cider Donuts. If you like sweets… Oh My God!!! They are sweet!!!
Here are some tips:
- Take the camera. You want some memory to go back to, especially if you climb that tree to reach for sun bathing peaches.
Arrive early. You’ll be surprised to find out that many fields are emptied by noon.- Make sure to apply sunscreen. Even walking between trees will not help you hide away from sun rays.
- When you arrive at the farm, take some time at the beginning to explain to your kids on how to identify and pick ripe fruit. You’ll be surprised to find out that you may not know it all yourselves. Did you know that Peaches are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs? You have to pick them when the ground color changes from green to yellow. The skin of yellow-fleshed varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed varieties changes from greenish to yellow-white.
- Don’t forget your wallet. You’ll have to pay for all the fruits you picked. Excluding what you ate while on the tree (Shh).
Your kids will love it, remember it and they’ll have the fruit of their efforts – literally – to take home as a reward.
Don’t stop there. Spend some extra time and make a jam out of your harvest with kids. That would be an experience of a life time.
