Berry Picking with Toddlers

As soon as the weather starts teasing me with warmth I start planning our Spring berry picking trip. The sunshine, blue sky, fresh air and juicy berries – it’s always one of my favorite field trips of the year.

This is one of our favorite Spring and Summer activities. We have gone several times, the first was when our twin toddlers were about 15 months old.

We went blueberry picking at a cute little farm near our home at the time in Baraboo, WI.

I wasn’t sure how this would go with two tiny tots, but we had a blast. We came home with a pint of blueberries and a ton more blueberries in our bellies.

4 Tips for Berry Picking with Toddlers

1. Call Beforehand

Berries are unpredictable. Just because strawberry season is usually in June does not promise that because you show up at a strawberry farm in June that there will be strawberries to pick. It is always a good idea to call the farm ahead of time to ensure a successful trip and this is even more important when you are heading their will less patient children.

2. Lower Your Expectations

Later when our kids are older I am sure that they will be helpful berry pickers. As tiny toddlers they are going to eat more berries than they are going to put in the basket. They are going to have trouble differentiating between the good ones and the ones that are not quite ripe. Remind yourself of your goals – to learn about blueberries? to have fun? to bring a small number home? Focus on those and relax.

also read: 16 summer adventures with free bingo printable

3. Explain Ripe vs. Not Ripe

It is a hard concept for young kids that some berries are not ready to be eaten. In their world, berries are yummy. I explained it to our twins by telling them that green ones were a no and blue ones were a yes, but we still had some sour blueberries consumed and added to our basket. As with all things toddler, repeat your message calmly and as often as needed.

4. Dress Weather Appropriate

Sunscreen and weather appropriate clothes are important. You are going to be out in a field with no shade. If you can talk your kids into wearing sun hats I highly recommend those as well – clearly I failed on this front.

A blueberry is something yummy you eat and there are books, like Blueberries for Sal, that can describe a little about where blueberries come from. However, the real experience of picking blueberries gives children a deeper understanding.

Read Also: How to Use Emergent Curriculum with Toddlers

They start to learn where blueberries come from and how they end up on the table.

They are introduced to the concept of ripe and develop fine motor skills.

And if your child has zero interest in the blueberries and instead plays in the dirt or wandered off to watch a tractor – that’s an experience to and help you know something about what they want to learn right now.

For more walk ideas and other adventures for toddlers, check out my book Little Walks Big Adventures!