Get the Kids Outside Picking Their Own Snacks This Summer!
Get the Kids Outside Picking Their Own Snacks This Summer!
Looking for a fun, healthy, and screen-free way to keep the kids busy this summer? Take them to a pick-your-own (PYO) farm! All across Ontario, local farms offer fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables that kids can harvest themselves—turning snack time into an unforgettable adventure.
Whether you live in the city or the countryside, there’s likely a farm just a short drive away. Use www.pickyourownontario.ca to find a PYO farm near you and make this summer one to remember.
Why Picking Your Own Snacks Is Great for Kids
- Fresh air and exercise: Kids get moving outdoors instead of staring at screens.
- Hands-on learning: They learn where food comes from and how it grows.
- Healthy eating habits: They’re more likely to eat fruits and veggies they picked themselves.
- Family bonding: It’s a simple way to spend meaningful time together in nature.
What’s In Season This Summer?
Ontario’s growing season offers plenty of snack-worthy produce to pick from June through August:
- Strawberry Farms – Early to mid-June
- Raspberry Farms – Late June to July
- Blueberry Farms – July to August
- Cherry Farms – Late June to early July
- Peach Farms – August
- Apple Farms – Late August and into fall
- Sweet corn, peas, beans and more! – Throughout the summer
Visit pickyourownontario.ca to find what’s ripe in your area!
Farms Across Ontario
From Northern towns to Southern Ontario farmland, the province is bursting with family-friendly farms that welcome visitors for PYO experiences. A few highlights:
- Central Ontario: Berry farms in Simcoe County and Kawartha Lakes.
- Eastern Ontario: Apple orchards and berry patches near Ottawa and Kingston.
- Southwestern Ontario: Strawberries, blueberries, and peaches galore near London, Windsor, and Niagara.
- Northern Ontario: Seasonal farms near Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and beyond offering berries and hardy vegetables.
Use the interactive farm map to search by county and crop!
Tips for a Smooth PYO Trip
- Call ahead: Farm hours and crop availability change with weather and demand.
- Dress appropriately: Hats, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.
- Bring containers: Some farms provide them; others ask you to bring your own.
- Pack water and snacks: Ironically, picking your snacks can make you hungry!
- Teach picking etiquette: Only pick what you plan to buy, and be gentle with the plants.
After the Picking
Keep the fun going at home! Let the kids help wash and sort their harvest, then make something simple and delicious like:
- Yogurt parfaits with fresh berries
- Homemade strawberry jam
- Blueberry muffins or smoothies
- Fruit salad or peach cobbler
You can even freeze extras for back-to-school snacks in the fall.
Start Your Summer Adventure
Visit www.pickyourownontario.ca to:
- Search farms by location or crop
- See what’s in season
- Get picking tips through our blog!
Let Them Pick, Taste, and Learn
Getting kids outside and letting them pick their own food is more than just a day trip—it’s a connection to the land, to the seasons, and to their own well-being. It’s fun, it’s delicious, and it’s only available for a short time each summer.
So don’t wait—find a PYO farm near you and plan a snack-filled summer adventure the whole family will love!