Kids’ Apple Activities You’ll Love + PJ Campbell’s at the Depot for Dinner
🍎 Apple Days, Sweater Weather, and a Little Nostalgia
Nine years ago, right around this time of year, we celebrated fall in the sweetest way — with apples everywhere. 🍏🍎
It just so happened to be Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, so of course we started the day by singing him “Happy Birthday.” (And let me just say, looking back at the video of my then 4-year-old barely mumbling through the song is both hilarious and heart-melting. Now at 13, he practically refuses to sing “Happy Birthday” for anyone — oh how things change!)
The air was crisp, the kind where you don’t need a winter coat yet, but a cozy sweater and leggings are just perfect. The trees had just started to turn, and there’s something magical about this “almost fall, not quite winter” season that makes every little moment stick in your memory.
Apple Adventures 🍏🍎
We did it all — counting apples, sorting apples, tracing apples. The kids loved it. And the best part? They didn’t even realize they were learning while they were having fun.
Sorting by color – green, red, yellow.
Sorting by shape – round, oval, even those funny lopsided ones.
Number-to-number tracing – connecting dots and watching their little faces light up as the apple took shape.
These activities were simple, sweet, and perfect for tiny hands. I got a lot of inspiration from Pinterest and “The Mailbox” (a total lifesaver when you’re trying to keep kids busy without just sticking them in front of a screen). And the truth is, kids can never get enough of apple crafts. Sticky fingers, giggles, and wide eyes — it’s pure magic.
If you’ve got little ones, I can’t recommend enough taking a day to goall-in on apples.It’s seasonal, it’s fun, and it’s something they’ll remember when they’re older (even if they act too cool to sing “Happy Birthday” later).
Mom’s Night Out 🍻🥨
And let’s be real — after a full day of apple mania, this mom needed a little grown-up time, ladies night out. We choose to check out: PJ Campbell’s at the Depot in Plymouth, WI.
If you haven’t been, oh my goodness, it’s a must. The restaurant itself is the coziest little spot, tucked right by the train tracks in the old Plymouth Depot, situated in a historic 1912 train station. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret, even though everyone in town knows about it.
They’re known for their German cuisine, and trust me, you cannot — I repeat, cannot — stop there without ordering the HUGE Bavarian pretzel. It’s basically the size of your head, perfectly golden, and comes with mustard and cheese dip that could make you cry happy tears.
Then there’s their famous baked French onion soup — melty cheese bubbling over the crock, the kind of soup that makes you want to hug the chef. I tried the pork schnitzel (crispy, tender, perfection), and let me just say — you won’t be disappointed with anything on that menu. The outdoor seating makes it even more special; sipping a drink, hearing the occasional train roll by, wrapped up in the fall evening air… it’s the kind of night that sticks with you.
So here I am, nine years later, looking back at those sweet apple-stained little hands and my now almost-teenagers, and I can’t help but feel grateful for fall traditions. For apples. For sweaters. For moments that are small but become everything when you look back.
If you’ve got littles, soak up every minute. Do the apple crafts. Sing the silly songs. Take the videos (even if they groan later). Because one day, you’ll be scrolling through your photos on a chilly September night, smiling at the memory, and realizing those were the best days.
🍎✨ Cheers to fall, apples, and a good pretzel at the end of it all.
🍎 Top 10 Apple Activities for Little Kids:
1. Apple Stamping 🎨
Cut apples in half, dip in paint, and stamp away! Great for patterns and little hands.
2. Apple Sorting 🌈
Sort by color (red, green, yellow) or even by size and shape.
3. Apple Counting 🔢
Use real apples, apple cutouts, or pom-poms. Count, stack, and match numbers.
4. Apple Tracing ✏️
Trace around apples, then color or decorate. Add leaves for extra fun.
5. Apple Taste Test 😋
Try different varieties (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala) and vote for your favorite.
6. Apple Number Match 🎲
Write numbers on apple cutouts and have kids match them to dots, stickers, or buttons.
7. Apple Crafting ✂️
Tissue paper apples, paper plate apples, or even pipe cleaner apple trees.
8. Johnny Appleseed Hats 🎩
Make a paper pot hat or apple crown and sing “Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed.”
9. Apple Science 🔬
Cut open an apple, look at the seeds, count them, and talk about how apples grow.
10. Apple Snack Creations 🍏
Apple slices with peanut butter, “apple smiles” with marshmallows, or apple chips baked in the oven.✨ Bonus Tip: Keep a basket of real apples nearby. They double as learning tools and snacks!