Apple Orchard Kit Play & Books

Pinch of Play
Aug 27, 2024
3 min read

Happy almost fall! Read below to see our Apple Orchard Kit Play Shelf, Book Recommendations, and more!

Apple Orchard Kit

Apple Orchard Play Shelf

Apple Orchard Play Shelf

(check out how we set up this shelf by clicking the photo or clicking here).

Items We Used on the Play Shelf:

*These items can be used again on other shelves or are used in previous Play Shelves!

*Clear Bins

Red Baskets - the ones pictured are from the dollar store, but we love these from Amazon.

Kids' Apron and Chef Hat

Rolling Pin

*Cash Register

*Phone

*Ingredient Jars - there is a spice container in your kit with interchangeable labels for sugar and flour. On our Shelf we used jars like these for extra pretend play. We filled the jars with tan paper shred (nutmeg), white tulle (sugar/flour), and red paper shred (apple pie spice).

Faux Apples - Red, Green, Yellow or we found this multipack.

Flowers and *Vases - both of these we got from the Dollar Store, but we found these on Amazon that are similar.

Apple Orchard Books

Here are the books we recommend including on your Apple Orchard Play Shelf or reading with the Apple Orchard Kit.

Click on a book for the link and more information.

Apple Orchard Kit Play Extensions

Here are some extra activity/play ideas to go with your Apple Orchard Activity Kit!

Apple Stamping from Friends Art Lab. Our kiddos love apple stamping! We recommend using a popsicle stick (pictured) or a fork in each apple to help little hands!

Apple Pie Scented Play Dough from Baugh Family Blog. Our house smelled amazing after this sensory activity!

The laminated apple tree in your kit can serve as a Play Dough mat!

The book Ten Apples Up on Top has so many play and math extension options! We like this felt activity, but you could also draw numbered baskets and your child can place pom poms (included in kit) on top or dot paint the correct quantities. You could also print a picture of your child and have them place the pom poms or dot paint on top (in place of the felt).

Another option is to have your child throw the correct number of pom poms into a basket with a sticky note number on it. Set out a basket, stick a sticky note with a number you are working on, then have your child toss pom poms until they've scored the correct number. We recommend borrowing your catapult from your Castles Kit to launch "apples" (red pom poms in kit).

Visit a real Apple Orchard! While this may only be possible depending on where you live, a visit to an apple orchard will help vocabulary, real world play, and make some great memories!

Make an easy apple tree from Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails. You'll need a TP roll, red paint, green paper and scissors. Your child can practice their cutting/hand strength by cutting the tree outline. Then, you can either fingerpaint the red apples or use the provided clothespin and pompom to paint/dot apples!