Apple season is in full swing in the US and although they aren’t native to America, apples are one of the most valuable fruit crops (oranges being right at the top of the list). Apple season is typically from mid-August to mid-October and during this time there are plenty of things you can do to enjoy the season – even when you’re on a budget

Whether you live in the city, the suburbs or the country, there’s always an apple event nearby during fall. So make the most out of this season and enjoy as many different type of apple as possible (there are over 20!).

We’ve put together some ideas of things you can do to have fun this season without having to spend a lot…

Cook with apples – whether it’s a pie, a crumble or a spicy apple chutney, apples are a great fruit to cook with. There are some great recipes online for a wide range of different meals and desserts so get searching! If you get your ingredients from a wholesale store they shouldn’t cost you too much, and you can always use what you already have at home to save some money too.

Go apple picking – throughout fall, many local farmers open their orchards for you to have a family day out apple picking. You’ll usually get to enjoy a wagon ride through the farm before you’re taken to your apple picking destination in the wonderful orchard. You’ll be taken back to the farm afterwards to carry on your perfect fall afternoon; many farms will offer fresh doughnuts and homemade apple cider! It’s a great way to support local farms (they’ll usually charge a very small entrance fee) as well as a fun day out.

Go to an apple festival – there’s always tons of activities to get involved in, for both adults and children, so get online and find out where your nearest apple festival is being held. Why not join in with the apple pie baking contest? Or if baking isn’t your thing, there’s always the apple pie tasting and eating contest! The festivals often have live music and entertainment as well.

Try a cold hard cider – the drink of choice this season is, of course, hard cider! Cider is a great drink to enjoy with friends (if you’re of the correct age) and you’ll find it on tap, and bottled, at many local bars and restaurants. Cider itself has a wonderful flavour but you can also find added flavours such as mixed fruit, strawberry and lime, and elderflower so make sure you try them out if you get a chance this apple season.

Create some apple games – apple bobbing is a great game to play with the kids, especially as Halloween is coming up too. It may seem like an old-fashioned thing to do, but putting some freshly cleaned apples in a bowl of water and getting the kids to try and fish them out by biting them is actually a lot of fun! Plus, it won’t cost much at all.

Do you have any plans to enjoy apple season this year? We’d love to know what they are, especially if you’ve got some tips for sticking to a budget at the same time. Leave us a comment below…