Strawberries U Pick taste so much sweeter, don’t they? Because strawberry picking is so much fun and can even be very educational for the kids too. My two kids absolutely loved it and didn’t even realize that they were learning too. We talked about the life cycle of a strawberry, how it grows as well as learning about what plants need in order to grow. At the strawberry picking farm we chose just outside of Orlando, Oak Haven Farms, there was also so many things to do for kids that we had a full day of fun.

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Strawberry Picking

Strawberry Picking Farm

Oak Haven Farms

Address: 32418 Avington Road - Sorrento, Florida 32776

Cost: Free

There is no entrance fee, and you only pay for the strawberries u pick. Many of the fun things for kids to do are also free. I think we paid $1 for the tractor ride. Everything else was free of charge. They had a little shop on the premises for already picked strawberries, local jams and preserves, as well as an area to purchase some food and snacks. The food was not gluten free or dairy free friendly. And the farm was also located quite a way from any large town, so there is no place to go nearby to pick up food either. I packed a lunch and would recommend doing the same. You will likely be there for a while strawberry picking as well as with so many other things to do for kids too.

Strawberry Picking Orlando

This is the reason why I love Central Florida! There is so much to do here besides just theme parks. Now, don’t get me wrong I love my Disney and wrote about Topolino’s Terrace, Fort Wilderness, and Old Key West (so far ). But there are so many ways to see the real Florida, and this is one of them. Did you know that Florida is ranked second in the United States for its value of production of strawberries? (Per the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for 2019) We have so many u-pick farms to choose from that we’ve also done blueberry picking, blackberry picking, and pumpkin picking here too.

Strawberry Picking Florida

While strawberry picking here in Florida, there are some helpful tips as well as supplies to bring with you to make your day go smoothly. Firstly, wear comfortable shoes or boots and preferably ones that can get dirty. Secondly, the main three staples to any outdoor Florida adventure, sunglasses, sunscreen and bug spray. Thirdly, cold water. Here is my favorite water bottle, it literally keeps ice cubes for an entire day! A necessity in the Florida heat. You can also check out my blog post with all my favorite kids travel accessories, or subscribe for my full printable packing list. Lastly and totally up to you, but you can also sport all your favorite strawberry clothes. Like these women’s t-shirts, little girl dresses, and little kid t-shirts.

When is Strawberry Season?

Strawberry season can vary in different parts of the country. Here in Florida, because we have so many very hot months in our year, our strawberries tend to do better when planted in the fall. This means that the best time for strawberry picking is usually from early December through March or even May at the latest.

Strawberry Picking Season

Pick Your Own Strawberries

Oak Haven Farms is available to pick your own strawberries mainly on the weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) with random offerings throughout the week. Call Oak Haven Farms at 352-735-1996 or check out their Facebook page for details on days and times for the u-pick strawberries. The hours and times may change depending on the day and weather. Whichever day you choose to go, I always recommend going when they first open. You will literally get the pick of the crop and it is usually the time when it’s least crowded. In addition, for Florida, that’s typically the coolest time of the day as well, so being outside for a couple hours is much more tolerable.

U-Pick Strawberries

How to Pick a Strawberry?

There is no special art form to strawberry picking, but here’s a couple of helpful tips to make the most of the experience.  I like to think of the strawberry life cycle in terms of colors which will help you pick the right ones. Firstly, is green. Strawberries start out as pretty white flowers which then grow to look like the strawberry is only made up of a clump of all the outer seeds. Secondly, is white. Strawberries are usually white as they grow beyond just the outer seeds. Thirdly, is red. Once the strawberry is ripe, it will be completely red. Lastly, is a dark red. This signals that the strawberry is very ripe. I recommend picking the red and dark red ones and always on the stem. The ones that are newly red, will last longer once you get them home to wash and dry them. If they are dark red, then be prepared to eat them right away since those won’t last long and will soon start to rot. Try not to pick the green or white ones, they need more time to grow so they are ready for those visiting the farm after you.

Things to do in Orlando with Kids

Strawberry U Pick

Aside from the strawberry picking, Oak Haven Farms is a great place for a full day of fun things to do in Orlando with kids. At Oak Haven Farms there was a playground area, sand box, multiple swings, and a tractor ride that took you over the property to see all the vines. All of these are standard to your usual visit to the farm. They also have other special days when there are food trucks, bounce houses, as well as pony rides.

We had a wonderful day here and will definitely be back during the next strawberry season.

Disclaimer: There are some links in this article that are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, we receive a small commission. This is never an extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.