Strawberry Picking at Butler’s Orchard with Kids: The Full Guide with All the TEA

Travel & Fun

May 24, 2026 • 7 min read

By Jennifer C. Williams, LCPC, PMH-C

Published May 24, 2026

Red fingers. Sticky smiles. A bucket of berries your kids picked with their own hands.

That is a perfect family morning.

Every spring, families across the DMV head to Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Maryland to pick strawberries straight off the vine. It is hands-on. It is outside. And it is the kind of simple day kids talk about long after the berries are gone.

If you have never been, I have all the TEA you need before you go. Hours, parking, what to pack, how to keep little ones happy, and how to turn a berry patch into a real connection moment for your family.

Let’s go pick.

What Makes Butler’s Orchard Special

Butler’s Orchard is a family-run farm in Germantown, MD that has been a DMV favorite for decades. It grows over 23 kinds of fruits and vegetables across the year, and it hosts seasonal festivals the whole family loves.

In late spring, strawberries are the star.

You grab a basket, walk the rows, and pick your own. Kids get to see where food actually comes from. That is the magic. It is part snack, part science lesson, part play.

We love strawberries, so it is always fun when we get to pick our own fresh ones right off the vine. The boys just love the taste and can't wait to go home and eat them!

When Is Strawberry Season at Butler’s Orchard?

Strawberry season usually runs from mid May into June. The exact dates change every year. Weather, rain, and how fast other families pick all play a part.

Here is the one rule that saves your day: call ahead.

Strawberry supply changes daily. A quick call to (301) 428-0444 or a peek at the farm’s crop calendar tells you what is ready to pick that morning. Berries sell out. Mornings are your best bet.

The TEA for Parents

Stroller friendliness: You can bring strollers but there are a lot of hills. You can park your stroller to the side when taking the trolley ride to the strawberry fields, bring a baby carrier so you can pick and wear baby at the same time. (You may want to leave the expensive stroller at home). After rain, skip the stroller and bring a baby carrier or a small wagon instead.

Bathrooms: Yes, the farm has port a potties, and a baby changing trailer. Take everyone before you head out to the field, because the patch itself has none.

Food: The Farmer’s Porch Kitchen and Farm Market are right there for snacks, treats, and lunch. You can also pack your own and enjoy it before or after picking.

Walking level: Light to moderate. You walk the rows and bend down a lot. Easy for most kids, but little legs may tire, so plan for a slower pace.

Parking: On-site parking. Easy in, easy out. Arrive early on festival weekends when the lot fills up fast.

Price: You pay by how much you pick, and prices change each season. Check the website or call before you go so there are no surprises at checkout.

Kid comfort factors: Full sun and no shade in the patch. Hats, sunscreen, and water are non-negotiable. Dress kids in clothes that can stain, because strawberry juice wins every time.

Parent stress factors: Low, if you go early and pack smart. The biggest stressor is heat and a tired toddler. Morning visits fix both.

What to know before you go: Only service animals are allowed on the farm. Comfort and emotional support animals and pets are not permitted, so plan to leave the family dog at home

Playground: Leave plenty of time for play on the slides, ride the bikes, and feed the animals. We can spend all day at the farm.

Quick Trip Stats

• Location: 22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, MD 20876

• Phone: (301) 428-0444

• Distance from DC: About 45 minutes to an hour from most of the DMV

• Best for ages: All ages, toddlers through teens

• Hours: Monday closed; Tuesday through Sunday 8:30am to 6pm

• Strawberry season: Usually mid May into June, weather dependent

• Parking: On-site

• Cost: Pay by the amount you pick; check current pricing before you go

• Pets: Service animals only

What to Bring Strawberry Picking With Kids

You do not need much. But a little planning makes the day smoother.

1. Sunscreen and hats. The patch has zero shade.

2. Water bottles. Picking is warmer work than it sounds.

3. Closed-toe shoes. Fields get muddy after rain.

4. Wet wipes. Strawberry juice gets everywhere.

5. A card or cash. You pay by the amount you pick.

6. A small wagon. A lifesaver if you have a toddler who tires out.

7. Stain-friendly clothes. Save the cute white outfit for another day.

How to Make Strawberry Picking Fun for Every Age

Picking berries is simple. Keeping a 3-year-old and an 6-year-old happy at the same time takes a little strategy.

Here is how to do it.

For toddlers: Give them one job. “Find the reddest berry.” Small wins keep them busy and proud.

For big kids: Turn it into a game. Who can fill their basket first? Who can find the biggest berry? Counting and sorting sneak in some math without anyone noticing.

For the whole family: Pick a “family berry,” the one you all agree is the best of the day. It is silly. Kids love it.

The goal is not a full basket. The goal is a good time.

What This Trip Teaches Your Family

In our house, we talk a lot about the CARE Framework: Curious, Adventurous, Resilient, and Emotionally Intelligent.

A strawberry patch hits all four.

Curiosity shows up when kids ask, “Why are some berries white?” and “How does a plant make fruit?”

Adventure is the new place, the new smells, and the mud on their shoes.

Resilience kicks in when a row is picked clean and they have to keep looking for the good ones.

Emotional Intelligence grows when you pick together, share the basket, and slow down enough to actually talk.

That is the real harvest.

Your Quick Action Plan

1. Call (301) 428-0444 or check the crop calendar to confirm strawberries are ready.

2. Pick a weekday or early weekend morning to beat the heat and crowds.

3. Pack sunscreen, hats, water, wipes, and stain-friendly clothes.

4. Leave the family pet at home (service animals only).

5. Arrive close to opening at 8:30am.

6. Give each kid a simple picking job.

7. Grab a treat at the Farm Market before you head home.

8. Make something together with your berries. Smoothies, shortcake, a happy mess.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does strawberry picking cost at Butler’s Orchard?

You pay based on how much you pick. Prices change each season, so check the website or call (301) 428-0444 before you go.

Do I need a reservation to pick strawberries?

Pick-your-own can use timed tickets during busy seasons. Check the Butler’s Orchard ticket page or call ahead to confirm.

What is the best time of day to pick strawberries?

Morning. It is cooler, the patch is fuller, and you beat the crowds. The farm opens at 8:30am Tuesday through Sunday.

Is Butler’s Orchard good for toddlers?

Yes. The rows are flat and easy to walk. Bring a wagon for tired legs, and give toddlers a simple picking job to keep them happy.

How long does strawberry season last?

Usually mid May into June, but it depends on the weather each year. Always call the day before to check what is read

The Bottom Line

Strawberry picking is cheap, easy, and good for the whole family.

It gets kids outside. It builds connection. And it ends with a bucket of berries you grew memories around.

Your next step is simple: call this week, check what is ripe, and pick a morning to go.

Then bring home the berries and make something together. A messy kitchen and a happy crew.

Have you picked strawberries at Butler’s Orchard? If this guide helped you plan your visit, share it with another family who needs it right now.

Sources:

1. Butler’s Orchard. (2026). Pick Your Own. https://www.butlersorchard.com/pick-your-own/

2. Butler’s Orchard. (2026). Pick Your Own Crop Calendar. https://www.butlersorchard.com/pick-your-own/crop-calendar/