This apples unit study gives homeschool families an easy way to learn about apples, apple trees, the apple life cycle, apple orchards, simple science, graphing, handwriting, picture books, poetry, and fall-themed language arts.

You can use these apple activities for one afternoon, a full day of learning, or a week or two of relaxed fall study. This apples unit works especially well for Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26, National Apple Month in October, a fall harvest study, or a simple apple orchard field trip.

Free Apples KWL Chart

A simple KWL chart is a helpful way to begin your apples unit study. Children can record what they already know about apples, what they want to know, and what they learned during the study.

Download the free Apples KWL chart here.

If you are new to using KWL charts, you may also find this helpful: Using a KWL Chart in Your Homeschool Unit Study.

Free Apples Graphing Activity

Apples and graphing go together beautifully. Children count and record their answers, practicing simple math skills.

Download the free Apples Graphing Activity here.

Apples Print & Go Learning Unit

If you want a complete apples unit already pulled together, my Apples Print & Go Learning Unit includes reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, apple life cycle activities, posters, student books, and more.

It was created for early elementary children and gives you a full apple-themed study without having to gather everything from scratch.

Apples Unit Study Activities

Use the following apple activities to build a simple homeschool study. Choose a few for a relaxed afternoon, or combine them into a fuller fall unit study.

Science: Learn the Apple Life Cycle

Study how an apple grows from seed to tree to blossom to fruit. Children can learn about seeds, roots, trunks, branches, leaves, blossoms, pollination, apples, and harvest time.

My Apples Life Cycle Craft is a hands-on way to help children see the stages of an apple’s growth. It can be used by itself or as part of the larger Apples Print & Go Learning Unit.

Science: Use Apple Fun Fact Cards

Apples Fun Fact Cards are an easy way to add interesting apple facts to your unit study. Use them during morning time, as discussion starters, for narration, or as quick reading practice.

Language Arts: Add Apple Vocabulary

Use the free Apples Word Search Printable to introduce words related to apples, orchards, trees, and harvest.

You can extend the activity by asking your child to:

• alphabetize the apple words
• write sentences using selected words
• dictate or write a short apple paragraph
• sort words into categories such as tree parts, apple foods, and orchard words

Handwriting: Practice with Apples Copywork

Combine handwriting practice with apple learning using Apples Copywork – Print & Cursive.

This is a simple way to include handwriting without adding a separate assignment. Children can practice print or cursive while learning interesting apple facts.

Poetry: Learn an Apple Poem

Poetry is a lovely addition to an apple unit study. Read this poem aloud, memorize a stanza, or use it for copywork.

Apple Song

The apples are seasoned and ripe and sound,
Gently they fall on the yellow ground.

The apples are stored in the dusky bin,
Where hardly a glimmer of light creeps in.

In the firelit, winter nights, they’ll be,
The clear sweet taste of a summer tree!

Frances Frost

After reading, ask:

• What season does the poem describe?
• What words help you picture the apples?
• What does “the clear sweet taste of a summer tree” mean?
• How does the poem connect fall harvest with winter enjoyment?

Picture Book Activities: Apple Farmer Annie

Apple Farmer Annie is a cheerful book for an apple unit because it shows many of the ways apples can be used after harvest.

You can find related ideas here: Apple Farmer Annie – Picture Book Activities.

Pair the book with apple tasting, apple recipes, pretend play, market math, or a simple discussion about farmers and orchards.

Picture Book Activities: One Red Apple

One Red Apple is a beautiful book that traces the life cycle of an apple in a poetic and artistic way.

You can read more about it here: One Red Apple – Picture Book Activities.

This book pairs especially well with the Apples Life Cycle Craft or any lesson about seeds, trees, blossoms, and fruit.

Nature Study: Visit an Apple Tree or Orchard

If possible, visit an apple tree, apple orchard, farmers market, or roadside stand. Let your child observe the apples, leaves, branches, bark, and any signs of harvest work.

Have your child notice:

• the shape of the apple tree
• the color and size of the apples
• the texture of the bark
• the shape of the leaves
• the smell of the orchard or market
• the different kinds of apples available

Children can sketch an apple tree, take photographs, write a short description, or compare several apple varieties.

Hands-On Activity: Compare Apples to Apples

Gather several apple varieties. Before cutting them, have your children observe and describe the outside of each apple.

Then cut the apples and compare:

• skin color
• flesh color
• number of seeds
• texture
• smell
• taste
• sweetness or tartness

You can make a simple chart and record descriptive words for each variety.

Cooking: Make an Apple Recipe Book

Ask family members, friends, or neighbors for their favorite apple recipes. Gather the recipes into a simple booklet and give a copy to everyone who contributed.

Possible recipes include:

• applesauce
• apple crisp
• apple pie
• apple muffins
• apple bread
• apple cider
• baked apples

This is a sweet way to connect cooking, handwriting, family culture, and hospitality.

Cooking: Have an Apple Tasting Party

Try as many apple foods as you can. Let your children brainstorm a list before you begin.

Ideas include:

• fresh apples
• applesauce
• apple juice
• apple cider
• dried apples
• apple butter
• apple pie
• apple crisp
• apple fritters

Talk about which foods taste most like fresh apples and which have the most spices or added sweetness.

Art: Make a Torn Paper Apple Craft

For a simple apple craft, you will need a small paper plate, red construction paper, green construction paper, and glue.

Tear the red construction paper into rough pieces. Glue them onto the paper plate, overlapping the pieces and covering the edges. Tear or cut a small green piece for the stem or leaf and glue it to the top.

Younger children can make one large apple. Older children may enjoy making several apples in different colors.

Free Apples Word Search Printable

Children who are a bit older will enjoy an apple word search, an easy way to introduce apple vocabulary before reading, writing, or doing hands-on activities.

Download the free Apples Word Search Printable here.

After completing the word search, have your child choose several apple words and use them in sentences, a short paragraph, or an apple-themed story.

More Apple Picture Books

Apple picture books are a simple way to add beauty, story, and conversation to your unit study.

• Apple Cider-Making Days — a delightful story about Alex and Abigail’s visit to their Grandpa’s apple farm. The story takes the reader through the entire apple cider making process as well as highlighting other events that take place at the family apple farm that opens to the public each fall. The illustrations are cozy and well-done and complete the story.
• Apples for Everyone — part of the National Geographic Kids Picture the Seasons series. This book is full of colorful photos that capture all of the fun of apple season.
• The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree — a classic book that traces the changes of an apple tree throughout the year. Told through the story of Arnold and his family enjoying the tree in each season, the story also includes a small cut-out section that explains how an apple cider press works which would be beneficial for students who live in an area without an active press to visit.

Related Homeschool Ideas

If your children enjoy this apples unit study, you may also want to plan additional fall studies around pumpkins, leaves, trees, farms, harvest, weather, or Thanksgiving.

An apple unit pairs especially well with fall nature study, cooking with children, graphing, picture books, and a relaxed visit to an orchard or farmers market.

Apples Unit Study FAQ

When is a good time to do an apples unit study?

• An apples unit study works well in September or October, especially around Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26 or National Apple Month in October.

What can children learn in an apples unit study?

• Children can learn about apple trees, the apple life cycle, apple varieties, orchards, fall harvest, graphing, vocabulary, handwriting, poetry, cooking, and nature study.

What subjects can be included in an apples unit study?

• An apples unit study can include science, language arts, handwriting, math, graphing, art, poetry, cooking, and picture books.

How long should an apples unit study take?

• You can complete a simple apples study in one afternoon or expand it into a week or two of fall learning.

What are some simple apple activities for kids?

• Simple apple activities include tasting different apple varieties, graphing favorite apples, learning the apple life cycle, reading apple picture books, completing an apple word search, making applesauce, and visiting an apple orchard.

Happy apple learning!