Host the Best Apple Picking Party
This fall season will be so memorable hosting an apple picking party!
For one, this is a unique party idea based on a popular fall activity, apple picking.
Instead of just ending the day after apple picking, include your friends and family for some apple party fun!
This is a great way to not only use the apples you picked (before they go bad!) but also to make a great memory for years to come.
Another great benefit is that you can save money at the apple picking farm. Many farms have fall harvests this time of year and they really get you with the cost of food!
Just pay for the apples (and the fun experience picking them) and bring them back home to whip up your favorite foods and play games without the crowds!
You will have a full day of fun with your party guests.
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How the Apple Picking Party Works
This may sound like an overwhelming day, but, while it is certainly filled with fun, the tasks are all divided up and meant to be fun!
The apple picking party should have party decor, games and/or activities, and food.
The host(s) should be the one to decorate the party in advance. The morning of will be the apple picking party outing which the host(s) will attend so everything needs to be decorated to return back to after picking.
Everyone can pitch in to wash apples – some will use the suds, some will rinse, and some will dry!
Those who are mechanical can set up the games, or, if using an apple press, the apple cider press station.
Those who love to cook can cook lunch and/or dinner and those who love to bake can whip up the dessert.
The whole idea is to have everyone contribute so that there’s time for everyone to relax and play before the day is over!
How to Set up an Apple Washing Station
This is so easy to DIY in an outdoor set up!
You will need:
- a large bucket filled with produce wash (or vinegar) & water
- a large bucket filled with water
- large dish drying rack(s) or towels
- large table
Simply dilute the produce wash (or vinegar) in a bucket of water and add the apples.
Transfer the apples to the bucket of fresh water to rinse. If needed, have another bucket of water to do a second rinse. The second rinse may be necessary if using produce wash but not if you are using vinegar.
Place the apples to dry on the dish drying racks or towels spread out over a table.
This is surprisingly a fun activity to do as a group.
You can save the buckets and the table for apple games/activities as well!
Apple Drinks
Fresh Apple Cider
If you can manage it, I highly recommend getting an apple press for fresh apple cider. Apple cider just screams fall and is perfect for an apple picking party.
I went to an apple cider pressing party when I was a kid and I still have great memories of it. The crisp fall air filled with the scent of apple cinnamon was a highlight. Of course, it’s fun to watch the machines work, too!
You will need to get a fruit crusher and a press.
Make sure to chop up the apples after washing them if you do decide to go the apple cider way.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a great guide on how to make apple cider at home.
Those in warmer climates can turn their freshly made apple cider into a delicious fall punch using Quiche My Grit’s easy recipe.
For a cozy apple cider, you will have to try this aromatic mulled apple cider recipe by Vegan Huggs.
Fresh Pressed Apple Juice
Another great refreshment at an apple picking party is fresh apple juice. You will need a juicer (see if a party guest has one if you don’t!) and some cups!
Alcoholic Beverages
Hard cider is a popular drink choice this time of year. While you won’t be brewing up a batch of hard cider with your apples you picked this morning, you can serve these ready-made drinks and no one will think anything of it.
If you made your own apple cider or apple juice, you can quickly create some fun cocktails with it!
Here are some ideas:
xoxoBella shares a highly rated maple apple whiskey sour, perfect for your fresh apple cider!
This orange apple cider cocktail by Whole Made Living goes great with either bourbon or vodka, a perfect drink for your freshly made apple cider.
Quick Apple Lunches and Side Dishes
Refresh My Health has a simple yet flavorful quick apple fruit bowl that will certainly have your party guests raving!
This apple yogurt salad by Blend with Spices is a delicious side dish and a great way to use up a lot of your freshly picked apples!
For a refreshing and light lunch, this Korean chicken salad with fresh apple by Beyond Kimchee is a must-have!
This apple and cilantro coleslaw by Living Chirpy is the perfect side dish, complimenting many main lunch dishes.
I love bruschetta and this apple bacon bruschetta by A Cowboy’s Life combines all the best flavors onto a piece of crispy bread.
These savory apple cheddar scones by Life Around the Table are a great option to serve with lunch.
With a delicious maple vinaigrette, this apple and shaved brussels sprouts salad by The Food Blog will impress your party guests!
For those looking for a more filling salad, this autumn pasta salad by Nuts and Twigs is perfect to serve for lunch.
Apple pairs extremely well with fennel in this apple fennel chicken salad recipe by Sweet and Savory Meals. A great tip from the recipe creator, use canned chicken to make a quick lunch!
Is it really the fall apple season without Waldorf salad? Happy Kitchen has a delicious vegan twist on the classic Waldorf salad you’ll love.
Apple Dinner Recipes
If you decided to make your own apple cider, this apple cider smoked chicken by Out Grilling is the perfect addition to the apple picking party.
Have you ever put apple on pizza? This pulled pork and apple pizza by Erica’s Recipes is a winner you do not want to miss!
These pork and apple burgers by Recipe This come together quickly in the air fryer, perfect for winding down near the end of the apple picking party!
You haven’t seen sweet potatoes like this! Amy Casey Cooks has a delicious apple and bacon stuffed sweet potato recipe that your party guests will be begging you for the recipe.
What goes better than apple with pork?! These apple raisin smothered pork chops by Inspiring Savings will be loved by your apple picking party guests.
With salty pancetta and tart apples, this sheet pan salmon recipe by Natalie Marble Cooks is a delicious way to wind down the evening!
This rosemary apple cider chicken by Britney Breaks Bread is not only beautiful and delicious but the smell of rosemary and apples in the oven will certainly draw your guests to the dinner table.
For the perfect fall soup, you must make this amazing apple butternut squash soup by The Suburban Soapbox.
Quick Apple Desserts
One of the best desserts is so simple to make it’s a must at an apple picking party, Little Sunny Kitchen’s cinnamon baked apple slices.
In case you didn’t know, Snickers and apples go amazingly well together and Crayons and Cravings has the best Snickers apple salad recipe.
Rose Bakes has a super quick yet delicious apple pie egg roll recipe that you can make in the air fryer!
Of course caramel apples are a must at an apple picking party! Recipes From a Pantry has you covered with the easy recipe for caramel apples!
Another delicious air fryer recipe comes from Cents for Cookery who shares an easy apple cinnamon biscuit roll recipe.
If you haven’t tried apple fries, now is the time! That Girl Cooks Healthy has a delicious apple fry recipe you don’t want to miss!
For a quick dessert dip for your freshly picked apples, check out this yummy caramel apple dip by Organically Addison!
For a five-minute apple dessert that is way too good for easy it is to prepare are these loaded apple nachos by Less With Laur.
Baked Apple Desserts
If the party is all day, you will have plenty of time to get into the kitchen and bake some delicious apple desserts. As mentioned above, divide up the tasks in the recipe and have fun baking together!
Combining two favorite apple desserts, this caramel apple crisp cheesecake by Baking Beauty takes a few hours to prepare (but it’s worth it!) so start this one early.
For a stunning dessert that shows off your fresh picked apples, check out this rosemary almond apple galette by Live to Sweet.
The Peasant’s Daughter has a delicious fresh apple cake that bakes for about 50 minutes in a Bundt cake pan, making it a relatively quick baked apple dessert.
Cookies are a quick baked dessert and these caramel apple cookies by The Benson Street will be so worth the short wait to whip them up!
These apple spice cookies by The Cookin’ Chicks are so fun and only need to chill for an hour prior to baking.
A perfect way to use up six apples is making these delicious apple turnovers by Marcellina In Cucina. Using premade puff pastry makes these a quick apple picking party dessert.
Spoonful of Flavor has an amazing caramel apple cake which comes together quickly due to not needing any frosting. Don’t worry, the caramel sauce won’t have you missing the frosting!
Who can say ‘no’ to an apple cookie bar? These cookie bars by Two Kids And a Coupon are perfect for fresh apple baking!
You’ve likely heard of pineapple upside down cake, but have you tried an apple upside down cake? This apple upside down cake by I Heart Eating is the perfect way to use some of your fresh picked apples.
I love an apple streusel and these cinnamon apple streusel muffins by An Edible Mosaic are so perfect for the apple picking party!
For an easy apple pie, check out Chenée Today’s easy apple pie using a premade graham cracker crust!
You will have to make this unique French apple cake by The Happier Homemaker. The cake has a creamy, custard-like base and a fluffy top layer, and filled with plenty of apples, of course.
Apple Picking Games
When I think of party games with apples, I think of apple bobbing. It’s not all that sanitary so here are some other fun games you can play with apples!
- Apple relay race, three options:
- Use large kitchen spoons to carry your apples from person to person relay race style. Just divide groups of people into different teams and each team will try to beat the other teams.
- Another option is to have apples at each leg of the relay. Participates have to carry the apple with their mouth to the next leg where the next person then needs to bite into their apple and carry it to the next leg.
- Lastly, have people balance apples on their heads as they move through the relay race.
- Guess the apple: This game involves different varieties of apples so if your apple picking orchard didn’t have a few different kinds you’ll want to skip it. But the general idea is to slice up apples and whoever can guess the most amount of apple varieties wins.
- Apple bow and arrow game: Arrange apples onto a table and have participants shoot arrows at the apples. Whoever gets the most apples wins.
- Apple Elephants: Place an apple into one leg of a pair of pantyhose. Place the pantyhose on top of the participant’s head. The participant then has to try to hit as many cups laid out on the ground using the apple/pantyhose/elephant trunk contraption. The player who knocks over the most cups in a minute wins.
- Apple basket game: Place buckets or baskets spread out on the ground or on a table. Have participants shoot apples into the buckets. Whoever shoots the most apples wins. (Use the bruised apples to make apple cider!)
- Apple stacking game: Have participants stack apples on top of each other. The player with the most apples stacked after a minute wins.
- Apple bowling: Set up pins and have participants roll apples. Whoever knocks over the most pins wins.
- Apple rolling race: Draw a large maze type of path on to a paper table cloth. This works best if the maze is straightforward rather than having dead ends. Time participants rolling an apple with their nose through the maze. Whoever gets through the maze the quickest wins.
- Apple painting contest: Have participants paint and decorate apples. Then, have everyone vote for their favorite (you can’t vote for your own!) and the winner gets a prize.
- Backyard apple football: Everyone’s favorite fall game – have participants divide into two teams to play football, this time with an apple! I’ll leave it to your family to choose tackle or flag football!
Apple Picking Party Decorations
Hosting an apple picking party means the decorations are just part of the fun! I don’t know about you but I love decorating for parties.
Here are some great apple party decorations to get your own creative design ideas flowing!
Paper Event has these super cute embossed apple napkins that come in 26 color options.
How cute is this felt apple garland by Wool Jamboree?
I love having confetti on tables to fill in empty space and add a fun touch of theme decor. New Creations Co has these super cute apple confetti pieces!
Once you have your apple picking party menu finalized, you will have to get these customizable food cards designed by KK Party Designs.
I love this apple table runner by The Kitchen Artist. It would be so cute at the apple picking party!
Save the Guide for The Best Apple Picking Party Ideas
If you are planning an apple picking party this fall, make sure to pin one of these images to your party board on Pinterest. Alternately, use any of the social sharing buttons at the top of the post to share to your favorite site.
