As a parent, it’s not often you find an event or attraction that appeals to both you and your children. And it’s even less likely if you have children of varying ages and abilities that you’ll find a place where they can all have fun, but Apple Jack Orchards has cracked the code.
Located in Delano, Apple Jack Orchards is a family-owned apple orchard that has grown into so much more. The Mithun family bought the orchard nearly 15 years ago, and mother-daughter duo Mary and Maddie Mithun have continued to build on the traditions and family fun that “Apple” Jack Kelly started in 1983.
Today, the orchard spans 90 acres and 10,000 apple trees with anywhere between 17 to 19 varieties of apples. And while the apples are still the star of the show, Apple Jack Orchards is a hub for family-friendly entertainment, too.
Between August and November, the orchard is host to hay rides, cow train rides, a corn pit, and a corn maze.
“This year, the corn maze theme will be ‘America the Beautiful,’ so you can kind of travel around America, and we’ll have different items within the maze to go visit based on the geography within the country,” Maddie says.
The orchard also features apple cannons, a bubble barn, sandboxes, jumping pillows, sports games, ropes courses, and paintball guns — especially appealing to younger boys and their dads.
But the largest and newest addition to the orchard is a 250-foot-long mega slide. The slide is big enough to be seen from the road and features three lanes. The slide has “really added a lot of fun and entertainment for kids. They just keep kinda constantly circling. So that was an awesome addition last year in regards to kids' attractions,” says Maddie.
As far as animals go, Apple Jack Orchards does have goats that kids can feed and pet — and may soon add chickens — but the orchard also partners with local farms to bring animals such as alpacas and ponies to add to the fun. These weekends are great for first-time pony rides for your young ones!
This year, the orchard is set to open a toy and candy store as well that will appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth or a love of John Deere tractors.
And don’t forget that Apple Jack Orchards is plenty fun for adults as well. The market section has hard cider and beer, along with a plethora of food and bakery options. The orchard’s seasoned and diligent staff work year-round, perfecting their bakery items.
The orchard is also leaning into sunflower season and offering the opportunity for visitors to cut flowers and take photos in the fields.
And when the fall season is said and done, the fun doesn’t stop at Apple Jack Orchards. In early May, the orchard opens its doors to teach children about apple tree pollination.
Once the tree blossoms pop, boxes of bees are delivered to help pollinate the blossoms. “It’s really, really fun to walk down the rows of apple trees and see the blossoms that have bees on them. You can hear the buzzing, and you can smell the blossoms. It’s just kind of a fun science class,” says Mary.
The orchard team is actively trying to broaden the educational opportunities by inviting kids to experience and learn about spring pollination, followed up by the fall apple harvest. Keep an eye on the orchard’s Instagram or call to see what opportunities are available for your curious kids.
When it comes to the orchard’s success, Mary and Maddie say it all comes down to the team — some who have been there from the start. “It’s really fun to see what all of these people can do when they put their heads together to create such an incredible family entertainment opportunity.”
So whether you’re going apple picking, testing out the mega slide, or buying a delicious apple crisp, your trip to Apple Jack Orchards is bound to be fun for the whole family.
The largest and newest addition to the orchard is a 250-foot-long mega slide. The slide has really added a lot of fun and entertainment for kids.