Waterman | It’s that time of year again, when families flock to orchards in DeKalb County to pick bags full of apples, pounds of raspberries and maybe even try some freshly made apple cider.

With new seasonal hours, Honey Hill Orchard offers activities for the whole family. Kids can enjoy the petting zoo or run around a straw maze. The orchard also offers wagon rides and a snack shop.

“We are now open seven days a week, now through Halloween,” said Kirk Bock, who has been working at the farm for 20 years. His brother runs the farm. They are now open for their seasonal hours from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Families come from all the surrounding towns and suburbs to pick in-season apples at the orchard. One family from Hoffman Estates brought their three-year-old son for the adventure.

“He’s been asking about apple-picking since January,” said Tony Reibel of his son. “Besides Christmas, this is his favorite time of year.”

The Reibel family usually go apple-picking twice a year.

As his son samples many of the apples, his dad reminisces on a previous fall season.

“When we go pumpkin picking, he thinks it’s like apple picking and will put 20 pumpkins in our cart,” Reibel said.

In the past, the family has gone to the Jonamac Orchard in Malta.

“There were more kid things at that orchard,” said Kathy Reibel.

The Jonamac Orchard offers a corn maze, petting zoo, grain bin, and even an apple train. This coming weekend kicks of “Apple Pickin’ Weekend” at Jonamac Orchard. In addition to picking apples and participating in various activities, there will also be a live bluegrass band performing on Sunday afternoon from noon to 4 p.m.

“We are still looking for a few applicants for working in our haunted corn maze in October,” said co-owner Denice McArtor.

Regardless of either orchard, they both offer wide varieties of in-season apples and family-geared activities.