Visiting Butler’s Orchard is one of our favorite kid’s activities in Maryland, near Washington DC.  Just about 30 minutes from DC, Butler’s Orchard has so many fun things to kids to do and so many pick your own fruits that we never get tired of coming here.  

From early summer all the way into late fall there’s plenty of kid-friendly activities on this farm near DC for your entire family.  

Tip for Visiting Butler’s Orchard

• $3 entrance fee per person over 24 months
• Opening Days and Hour:
  • Spring:  Tuesday – Sunday 9:30am – 6:00pm
  • Summer:   Tuesday – Friday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm (Farm and Fields close at 5:30 pm)
  •                   Saturday & Sunday 8:30 – 5:30 (Farm and Fields close at 4:30 pm)
  • Fall:   Tuesday – Sunday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm (Farm and Fields close at 5:00 pm)
• Parking is free
• Porta-Potties are available at the Farm Park and a Baby Changing Station
• Outside food and drinks are allowed (non-alcoholic)
• Bring plenty of water as it gets really hot during summer
• There is a Concession that sells food and drinks 

Pick Strawberries at Butler’s Orchard

Butler’s Orchard is definitely our favorite place to pick strawberries near Washington DC in June. They have more than one variety of strawberries and we found our favorite to be the small ones. This is probably our daughter’s favorite activity.  We’ve taken her to Butler’s a few times already and she’s usually more into strawberry eating than picking!  But don’t worry the staff are really friendly and don’t really mind!

You can bring your own container for picking strawberries at Butler’s or buy paper cartons at the entrance to strawberry picking.

Remember to wear sunscreen and a hat when strawberry picking because there is little shade in the fields.

Butler’s has strawberries available for picking from mid-May to June.

Butler’s Orchard Blueberry Picking

Last year was the first time we made it here to pick blueberries!  I’ve never picked blueberries before and really wanted to check it out at Butler’s Orchard.  And boy am I glad we did.  The blueberries here are so plump and delicious.  

Also, I can’t believe how satisfying it is to find a giant clump ripe blueberries.  I really thought it would be hard to find and pick blueberries but it really wasn’t at all.  And our pre-schooler absolutely loved it!  Just like with the strawberries, she definitely ate more blueberries than she picked.

You can pick blueberries at Butler’s Orchard from late June to early August.

Pick Flowers at Mrs. Butler’s Flower Garden

If you’ve followed my blog for a while you know I’m completely obsessed with flower fields of any sort near Washington DC.  So when I learned you can pick your own bouquet here, I was sold!  Their pick your own flower field isn’t big but it’s definitely a pretty way to spend an afternoon.  Butler’s Orchard has flowers for picking from July through September.  

Visit the Sunflower Field

If you miss the sunflower field at McKee Beshers, Butler’s Orchard also has a sunflower field that blooms later in August.  This sunflower field in Maryland is extensive and very pretty and just 30 minutes from Washington DC.  I’ve only had the chance to drive by it, but even from the road, it looked stunning! 

Have a Slide

One of our daughter’s favorite activities at Butler’s Orchard is definitely playing on their slides!  They have a really big one 2 smaller ones for younger children.  After picking fruit we always stop by the slides for some fun!  And yes you will have a hard time getting your kids to leave once they start sliding.

Feed the Animals

There are quite a few animals at Butler’s including pigs, goats, and donkeys.  You can buy feed from the feed machines for a quarter.  

Eat Kettle Corn

There’s no mistaking the smell, it’s Butler’s kettle corn.  Every time we come to Butler’s we always buy some kettle corn at the concession to eat at the picnic tables and enjoy at home!

Pick Apples

A classic fall activity in the Washington DC area is picking apples!  We’ve not picked apples at Butler’s yet but we’ve driven by their orchards on a hayride over to pick berries.  The orchards are gorgeous and I’m sure the apples are delicious.  You can pick apples at Butler’s Orchard from September to mid-October. Here are a few other farms in Maryland to pick apples.

Visit the Epic Playground at Butler’s Orchard

The playground at Butler’s Orchard is pretty epic.  There are so many play structures including a 2 level castle and a pirate ship!  Our daughter absolutely loves playing here.

Check out the Pumpkin Festival

Starting at the end of September Butler’s has its Pumpkin Festival running to the beginning of November.  During the Pumpkin Festival admission is $13-$15 depending on when you go.  

The fun activities included in the Pumpkin Festival:

• Hayrides
• Hilltop Hop Jump Pad
• Jump in the hayloft
• Visit Barnyard Buddies
• Twisted Corn Maze
• Playground
• Spiderweb
• Play in the Corn Box
• Straw Maze
• Swoop down the Giant Slides
• Corn Hole Games
• Pedal Tractors