Apple picking is a great fall activity for families with young children. Preschoolers can walk between the trees, choose an apple they want to try, and enjoy plenty of room outdoors. Parents also get an outing that can be as short or as full as the day allows.
Families around Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Hopkins have several orchards within reach, but each one offers a different experience. Some feel like a full fall festival, while others make it easier to focus on picking apples and enjoying the natural surroundings.
Apple orchards near Minnetonka to consider this fall:
- Everly Farms in Minnetrista for a classic orchard visit close to Lake Minnetonka
- LuceLine Orchard in Watertown for room to roam and a wide choice of activities
- Fall Harvest Orchard near Delano for a full fall-festival experience
- Deardorff Orchards in Waconia for an outing centered on Minnesota apples
Everly Farms in Minnetrista
Formerly known as Minnetonka Orchards, Everly Farms remains one of the most convenient choices for families near Minnetonka. Its 43-acre fall experience includes pick-your-own apples when varieties are ripe, hayrides, an animal barn, a corn pit, playgrounds, pumpkins, and apple donuts.
Everly Farms offers different schedules throughout the week. There are generally more activities on weekends, while weekday visits focus on the retail barn and U-pick orchard. That distinction may help parents choose between a quieter apple-picking trip and a busier day with entertainment.
LuceLine Orchard in Watertown
LuceLine Orchard covers 155 acres along the Luce Line State Trail. The orchard has nearly 10,000 apple trees, a nature trail, farm animals, a playground, and seasonal food. Its 2026 season begins August 29.
General admission and parking are free, although several attractions require a wristband or individual ticket. Families can decide how much they want to add to the day instead of paying for every activity automatically. The playground and other free areas also give preschoolers something to do when they need a break from picking.
Fall Harvest Orchard Near Delano
Families looking for a bigger outing may prefer Fall Harvest Orchard. The orchard offers more than 20 apple varieties through pre-picked and U-pick options, along with pumpkins and numerous farm attractions. Its 2026 season is scheduled to begin September 5.
Parking and admission are free, and families may purchase optional wristbands for additional activities. With more than 55 attractions advertised for the season, this stop makes the most sense when parents have several hours available. Preschoolers may not need to experience everything for the trip to feel complete.
Deardorff Orchards in Waconia
Deardorff Orchards sits on a historic farm near Lake Waconia and Carver Park Reserve. More than 3,000 trees produce Minnesota varieties including Zestar, SweeTango, Honeycrisp, and Haralson.
This orchard is a good option for families who want apples to remain the main event. Parents can talk with children about color, size, taste, and how fruit grows while moving through the orchard together. Since varieties ripen at different times, check the current picking information before leaving home.
Make Apple Picking Easier With Preschoolers
A visit to one of these orchards can take just a couple of hours or become more of a full-day activity, depending on the location. Choose one or two priorities before arriving, whether that means picking a small bag of apples, taking a hayride, or spending time near the animals. Young children may be ready to leave long before the rest of the activities are finished.
Dress for changing fall weather and bring water, wipes, and a change of clothes. Check each orchard’s website on the day of the visit for available apple varieties, hours, admission details, and weather-related changes. U-pick availability can change quickly as fruit ripens and fields are picked.
“Apple picking gives young children a chance to make choices and take part in a family tradition they can understand,” said Heather Larson, School Director of The Gardner School of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie. “They may remember their parents lifting them up to pick a favorite apple, riding on a wagon hayride, or tasting a warm donut. It’s a great opportunity for quality family time!”
Bring a Little of the Orchard Home
Part of the fun of visiting an orchard is making tasty treats at home afterward. Preschoolers can help wash apples, count them, arrange them by color, or choose which one to eat at snack time. Older preschoolers may enjoy helping with applesauce or another simple recipe.
Families looking for more seasonal ideas can also explore these fall activities for Minneapolis families. Keeping the plan simple makes it easier to enjoy the season without asking young children to follow a packed itinerary.
Fall Family Activities at The Gardner School of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie
At The Gardner School of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie, children learn through a combination of teacher-guided lessons, open-ended play, and enrichment activities. Seasonal classroom experiences give preschoolers more ways to explore the colors, textures, foods, and changes they notice during a Minnesota fall.
Whether your family chooses a quick weekday visit or a full festival day, an apple orchard offers plenty for preschoolers to see and do at their own pace.
