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Enjoy some live music on weekends at the stage outside the Alstede Farms store.

Top Things To Do at Alstede Farms with Kids

1. The Farm Store

We went to the shop at Alstede Farms first, just in case we were too tired to visit later. It carries a large variety of fresh items and a lot of little house trinkets. Freshly picked fruits and vegetables are available, plus homemade products like jam, pico de gallo, apple cider doughnuts, and more. There is even a wine corner if you are an enthusiast. We got some obligatory honey sticks and a lot of quarters to prep for our next stop: feeding the furry farm animals.

2. The Farm Animals

What's a visit to the farm without some furry and feathered face time? Horses, chickens, sheep, and goats all awaited eager kids who were ready to feed them. Lots of little animals ran around with all the kids trying to anxiously feed them.

3. Farm Fun Activities

Alstede is well-known for its "agritainment," which extends well beyond the picking fields. Though we petered out before we got to experience all the fun, plan to purchase your Farm Fun tickets before visiting, which grant kids pony rides, a tractor-pulled wagon ride, and access to the bounce house. Though tickets are available on-site, the lines are long! So avoid a meltdown and purchase in advance.

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No matter the season, there's always something fresh to pick in Alstede Farms fields with kids.

4. Pick-Your-Own Fields

What's a farm trip without freshly picked produce? From May through November there's always something fresh to pick at Alstede Farms, including popular crops like strawberries, apples, and pumpkins, plus lesser-known goodies like corn and dig-your-own potatoes. It's also a spectacular spot for sunflower picking come fall. Currently, pick-your-own admission requires advance ticket purchase.

5. The Corn Maze

We wanted to visit the corn maze after our pick-your-own adventure, but we were worn out from our other adventures. We had great fun losing track of time and spending hours walking around the pasture. Still, the corn maze, sunflower trail, and evergreen maze are worth adding to your list for your Alstede Farms visit—and tops on our list of things to do when we return.

6. Special Events

From farm-to-table holiday brunches to harvest moon night hayrides and breakfast with Santa, there's always something special happening at Alstede Farms. Keep an eye on our Family Activity Calendar to see what special seasonal events you can enjoy.

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Alstede Farms serves a delightful array of homemade soft-serve flavors. Good luck keeping yours to yourself.

Eating at Alstede Farms

Though there's no outside food allowed at Alstede Farms, there are plenty of fresh options to choose from, including purchasing snacks like buttered corn on the cob from the shop. We had some tasty food followed by the most delicious homemade ice cream. You can also enjoy wine tasting if you're not driving. There's a huge picnic table grove where you can take a break and enjoy your fresh from-the-farm treats.

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A trip to Alstede Farms left us with a little extra pep in our step!

Know Before You Go to Alstede Farms

• Alstede Farms is open daily for pick your own during the harvest season.
• Be sure to visit the picking schedule and book your timed-entry tickets before heading out. Pick-your-own admission includes some activities, like admission to the mazes, a hayride around the farm, and access to the hay pyramid.
• Farm Fun activities, like pony rides and the bouncy house, require a separate ticket add-on. Purchase in advance to avoid the lines when you arrive.
• Kids are welcome and encouraged. Bathrooms are equipped with changing tables and strollers are allowed in some parts of the farm—though you'll have to leave them behind when you visit the picking fields, so plan to bring a carrier for babies.
• There's little shade, so come prepared with hats and sunscreen if you're visiting during the summer! Dress for rugged terrain if you're planning to pick; closed toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty are a must.
• Enjoy live entertainment on weekend afternoons.
• Got a kid who is farm crazy? Consider booking a birthday party package at Alstede Farms, with options ranging from pick-your-own to pot-a-plant, animals and activities, and more.
• If you're traveling from the city, Alstede offers a courtesy shuttle from the Chester train station on weekends. Call in advance to book your ride!

All photos by author