Summer is here, and if you are looking for a fresh and fun idea for something to do with your toddler, why not visit a pick – your – own farm or orchard. The selection of fruits or vegetables that are available will, of course, depend upon where you live. Right now in Vermont, strawberries are ripe for the picking, as are some raspberries. Blueberries are almost ready too.
There’s nothing like watching your toddler gleefully enjoy a bounty of berries as you try to fill a container without him eating them all. Berries are fun to find among the leaves. They are fun to pick. They are also fun to eat and fun to squish. Fresh fruits like berries have lots of vitamins in them, and they also contain water to help you and your toddler stay hydrated in the summer heat. Your toddler can even help you cook with the fruit that you pick. Imagine her delight as she serves friends and family muffins made with the blueberries that she picked herself.
When you go out for your pick – your – own adventure, be sure to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. It can be hot out there, so don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty of water. Also, pack plenty of baby wipes for berry – stained hands and faces. Eat a nutritious meal or snack before heading to the farm to keep your toddler from overindulging as she picks. Too much fruit can sometimes cause a tummy ache.
Dylan and I have not yet visited a pick – your – own farm. Last week, we discovered the raspberry bushes in the neighbor’s yard. Much to Dylan’s delight, the berries were ripe. He enjoyed finding the ripe berries among the leaves. We did not fill up a container, but he did eat quite a few berries. I was impressed by how careful he was not to touch the thorns, even being as excited as he was. We plan to go blueberry picking in about a week or so, and I am very excited about that too.