By Charlie Nardozzi

 

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Fall is apple time in much of the country. One of the most popular outdoor activities to do with your kids is to go to the local orchard and pick apples. This is also a great time to talk about apple trees and do some fun apple activities. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Learn about Johnny Appleseed. Kids are probably familiar with Johnny Appleseed, but if not, tell them the story and use Johnny as a way to teach about geography and folklore. Ask kids if they know of any apple trees in their neighborhood. Talk about how wild trees often grow from seeds that animals or birds spread. Have older kids trace where in the country Johnny traveled, and teach young kids the Johnny Appleseed song.
  • Sample different apples. At the orchard, have kids pick as many different varieties of apples as possible. Talk about why apples will be crisp or soft depending on the variety and when you pick them. Ask kids to taste the different varieties and see which they prefer and why. At home or in school, prepare some apple recipes such as applesauce. Experiment with different varieties of apples from the orchard, and do a blind taste test to see which apple varieties the kids like best.
  • Make wrinkled apple doll faces. Older kids can make apple doll faces, following these steps. Select a crisp apple. Peel it and carve a face in it. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of lemon juice, and soak the apple in the mixture for