Where to Go Strawberry Picking with Kids in the Midwest
Omg, how is strawberry picking season already here? Don't know about you, but one of our family's favorite ways to kick off summer is by visiting local farms, indulging in some fresh u-pick strawberries, and even snagging a little ice cream on the way home (if we don't fill up on strawberry shortcake at the farm store first!)
Two of our favorite local spots in Indiana are Beasley's Orchard in Danville and Spencer Farm of Noblesville because both offer fun activities for the whole family and acres of land to explore more than just the strawberry fields while you visit! If you're searching for the best place to take the kids strawberry picking, we've created a whole list of strawberry farms divided by Midwest state below.
Learn the Best Midwest Locations for Strawberry Picking:
When is strawberry season in the Midwest?
The peak season for fresh berries varies by region and climate. In the Midwest, the best time to visit strawberry fields is from the end of May to around June 15th, right before early summer.
The prime time can vary depending on your location in the Midwest and the weather conditions. For example, Mother Nature is unpredictable in Northwest Indiana, and it can experience an unseasonably warm spring in late April, leading a few strawberry patches to begin sprouting in mid May, when normally these wouldn't blossom until late May around Memorial Day.
It's always a good idea to check the opening date with your local farms or u-pick fields before making the car ride out. Most post daily updates either on their website or social media pages.
Are all strawberry picking farms u-pick?
Not necessarily. Some farms will offer pre-picked strawberries for sale. It’s still their own fresh fruit, but they do the picking for you. And others may offer limited u-pick fields that once crop availability is gone, close for the season (sometimes earlier than expected!), so again, it's a good idea to check a farm's Facebook page or other contact sites for info before you get too excited about picking strawberries.
**If a farm is closed, come back and reference this list for more options near you!
PLANNING YOUR NEXT FAMILY TRIP?
Other things to know before you go strawberry picking
Most u-pick fields and farms charge based on the weight of the produce you pick. Typically, they will provide bags to fill with your own strawberries or boxes to drop your goods in, but you may want to bring your own buckets for easy transport home.
Some locations that sell fresh strawberries might not accept credit cards (we know of a couple offhand!), so check the website before you go to determine if an ATM stop is needed.
Also while many farms don't charge an admission fee like they would for say a Fall festival - there might be other activities onsite like train rides or barnyard games that do require an extra cost.
And lastly, before you go on your strawberry-picking adventure, know that farms can have acres of strawberries, but they can also sell out! The best way to guarantee getting your berries is to double check the picking conditions before you go. Often websites or Facebook pages will provide a handy guide for all you need to know. OR, if worse comes to worse, you can settle for some pre-picked berries when you arrive and just indulge in a day at the farm doing other fun activities!
Where to go strawberry picking with the kids in the Midwest...
We love us a local, family-owned farm, and we have so many suggestions to choose from! Go to your Midwest state below and take a peek! (psst...if you go to a local strawberry festival in early June, you can scope out great options for local farms there, too!)
Illinois Strawberry Picking
Braffet Berry Farm & Orchard, Carlock
Donahues Sunshine Farm, Collinsville
Eckert's Family Farm, Belleville
Hallsberry Farms, Buncombe
Heider's Berry Farm, Woodstock
Jefferies Orchard, Springfield
Just Berries, Stewardson
McLaughlin Strawberry Farm, Murphysboro
Olive Berry Acres, Mazon
Scharf Farm, Millstadt
Stade’s Farm & Market, McHenry
Indiana Strawberry Picking
Beasley's Orchard, Danville
Bell's Strawberry Farm, Hagerstown
Driving Wind Farm, Indianapolis
Hilger Family Farm, Fort Wayne
Johnson's Farm Produce, Hobart
Landess Farm, Daleville
Smith Farms, Frankfort
Spencer Farm, Noblesville
Waterman's Family Farm, Indianapolis
Jones Family Farms, Milton
Michigan Strawberry Picking
Bird Berry Farm, Belding
Calvin Lutz Farms, Kaleva
Kohler Strawberry Farm, Jerome
Middleton Berry Farm, Ortonville
Rowe's Produce Farm & Corn Maze, Ypsilanti
Minnesota Strawberry Picking
D Round Barn Berries, St. Michael
Little Hill Berry Farm, Northfield
Miracle Strawberry Farm, Dodge Center
The Berry Patch, Forest Lake
The Strawberry Basket, Monticello
YOUR NEXT READ:
Ohio Strawberry Picking
Aufdenkampe Family Farm, Vermillion
Blooms & Berries Farm Market, Loveland
Hann Farms, Columbus
Lynd Fruit Farm, Pataskala
Mitchell's Berries & Blooms, Plain City
Rainbow Farms, Madison
Stevens Gardens, Monclova
Stokes Berry Farm, Wilmington
The Berry Farm, Richwood
Wisconsin Strawberry Picking
Barthel Fruit Farm, Mequon
Blue Clay Berry Farm, Delavan
Bures Berry Patch, Barneveld
Carandale Farm, Oregon
Fideler Farm, Kewaskum
Furger Family Strawberry Farm, Lodi
Rocky Acres Berry Farm, Bayfield
Wilfert Farms, Two Rivers
