What farms in Chester County have pick-your-own for families?

Linvilla Orchards and Highland Orchards are the most well-known — both offer strawberries in early summer, followed by peaches, apples, and pumpkins in fall. Milky Way Farm near Kennett Square is smaller and more intimate. All three are genuinely good with young kids.

When is the best time to visit Chester County farms with kids?

Fall is the big season — September and October for apples and pumpkins. But early summer (June) for strawberry picking is underrated and less crowded. Spring visits to Springton Manor Farm are excellent for seeing young animals. Each season has a reason to go.

Which Chester County farm is best for toddlers?

Springton Manor Farm (free, county-run) is the top pick for toddlers — animals, open fields, no entrance fee, no crowds on weekdays. Milky Way Farm is also excellent for very young kids because of its smaller, more manageable scale.

How crowded do Chester County farms get in fall?

Linvilla is genuinely packed on fall weekends — peak October Saturdays are a crowd sport. Highland Orchards is a bit more manageable. Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday in late September and it's a completely different experience. If crowds stress you out, weekdays are non-negotiable.

Farms · Chester County

Kid-Friendly Farms in Chester County, PA

Updated 2026-05-24 · Kid Friendly Chesco editors

Chester County is farm country in the most literal sense — over 1,500 farms still operate across the county, and a meaningful number of them welcome families. The pick-your-own season runs from strawberries in June through pumpkins in October, and the county's natural landscape makes even a simple farm visit feel like a real outing rather than a theme park. Here's what we'd put on the must-do list.

The list

01Highland Orchards

West Chester·outdoor

Highland Orchards

$$$$

Linvilla's slightly quieter neighbor. Same great pick-your-own concept — strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, pumpkins — with a bit less of the crowd. The farm market is excellent. If Linvilla feels overwhelming on a fall Saturday, try here first.

Parking: Free lot on site.
Crowds: Noticeably less crowded than Linvilla on peak weekends. Still busy in October, but not chaotic.
Hours: Daily 9a–6p (seasonal, call ahead)
Good for: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, Kids, Tweens

02Linvilla Orchards

West Chester·outdoor

Linvilla Orchards

$$$$

The gold standard for Chester County seasonal farm visits. Pick-your-own strawberries in June, peaches in August, apples in September, pumpkins in October. The farm market is worth a stop even off-season. Gets extremely busy on fall weekends — this is not a secret.

Parking: Large lot on site. On peak fall weekends, expect a walk from the far end.
Crowds: Apple and pumpkin season on weekends is genuinely packed. Go on a Tuesday in late September and it's a totally different experience. Worth it either way — just calibrate your expectations.
Hours: Daily 9a–6p (seasonal hours vary)
Good for: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, Kids, Tweens, Teens

03Milky Way Farm

Chester County·outdoor

Milky Way Farm

$$$$

A small, personal farm experience — more intimate than the big-name orchards, and better for very young kids because of it. The animals are the draw. Toddlers absolutely lose their minds over the goats and rabbits. Worth calling ahead to confirm hours and what's open.

Parking: On-site lot. Easy.
Crowds: Small operation, which keeps crowds manageable. Weekends in spring are the sweet spot.
Hours: Check website for seasonal hours
Good for: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, Kids

04Chester County Parks

Chester County·outdoor

Springton Manor Farm

A Chester County gem that most people outside the county don't know exists. Free, with actual farm animals (cows, goats, chickens), wide open fields, and a nice walking loop. Toddlers are completely in their element here. The petting area near the barn is the star of the show.

Parking: Free lot on site. Easy.
Crowds: Busy on nice weekend mornings in spring and fall. Weekday mornings are nearly empty and the animals are more active.
Hours: Daily 8a–dusk
Good for: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, Kids, Tweens

Every Friday · Free

Every Friday we send a short note on what's actually worth doing in Chester County that weekend — events, seasonal picks, and what to skip. Free.

Questions

Things parents ask

What farms in Chester County have pick-your-own for families?: Linvilla Orchards and Highland Orchards are the most well-known — both offer strawberries in early summer, followed by peaches, apples, and pumpkins in fall. Milky Way Farm near Kennett Square is smaller and more intimate. All three are genuinely good with young kids.
When is the best time to visit Chester County farms with kids?: Fall is the big season — September and October for apples and pumpkins. But early summer (June) for strawberry picking is underrated and less crowded. Spring visits to Springton Manor Farm are excellent for seeing young animals. Each season has a reason to go.
Which Chester County farm is best for toddlers?: Springton Manor Farm (free, county-run) is the top pick for toddlers — animals, open fields, no entrance fee, no crowds on weekdays. Milky Way Farm is also excellent for very young kids because of its smaller, more manageable scale.
How crowded do Chester County farms get in fall?: Linvilla is genuinely packed on fall weekends — peak October Saturdays are a crowd sport. Highland Orchards is a bit more manageable. Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday in late September and it's a completely different experience. If crowds stress you out, weekdays are non-negotiable.

Highland Orchards

Linvilla Orchards

Milky Way Farm

Springton Manor Farm

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Things parents ask