U-pick with kids around Washington DC: strawberries, blueberries, peaches and apples

Once the strawberries turn red in late May, farm season in Montgomery County is on: strawberries and cherries in June, blueberries, blackberries and peaches in July and August, apples in September, and straight on into pumpkins. The fruit grows on low bushes and short trees, so a 2-year-old can pick standing up, and eating as you go is the easiest summer activity there is.

Closest to Rockville is Butler's Orchard in Germantown, which opens with strawberries, has the widest range of crops and turns into a pumpkin festival in fall. Homestead Farm in Poolesville charges no admission, just pay by the pound, and has goats and chickens in the yard: the quietest choice. For a full farm day, drive an hour to Great Country Farms at the foot of the Blue Ridge, where admission covers the play area, wagon rides and pig races and picking is extra. Clark's Elioak Farm near Columbia is mostly a petting farm, but you can pick pumpkins there in fall too.

• 4 places
• 2 stroller-friendly
• closest is 15 min away