Johnny Appleseed Day

Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day with these fun, hands-on activities that teach about his life and about apples.

Introduce kids to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. He was a young man who traveled and planted apple seeds as he ventured west.

Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day

Learn more about the man, the legends told, and apples with these hands-on activities.

What is Johnny Appleseed Day?

Johnny Appleseed Day is the day we celebrate the life of John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed.

There are actually TWO Johnny Appleseed Days. While most people prefer to celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26, some celebrate on March 11.

The September date is Johnny Appleseed’s birthday. The March date falls during planting season.

You can pick one to better fit your plans, or you can mention them both throughout the course of your school year.

Read About Johnny Appleseed

Whether you choose to read a beginner biography with your preschoolers or you choose one of the tall tale versions of the story, your kids will enjoy learning more about the life of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed.

I prefer the stories told by Will Moses and Steven Kellogg. However, there are many versions of the Johnny Appleseed story to choose from.

Study the Letters A and/or J

Johnny Appleseed is a great time to focus on the letters Aa and/or Jj. Look for those letters as you read about Johnny Appleseed today.

Print out this fun Johnny Appleseed preschool pack. It’s got a fun Jj practice page that will help you little ones identify those letters.

Explore the Life Cycle of an Apple Tree

I love this DIY felt apple life cycle. It’s the perfect, hands-on activity for little ones. Or, have your little ones make an apple life cycle hat.

Make a Johnny Appleseed Hat.

It’s super easy to make a Johnny Appleseed hat. Let your children make one and act out the story as you read it.

They can wear it as they complete the worksheets above or as they make the tasty snacks described below.

Make Applesauce or Apple Pie

There are so many tasty apple treats you can make with your preschoolers to celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day! Try one or more of these:

Homemade Applesauce

Cinnamon Apples

Applesauce Overnight Oatmeal

Books About Johnny Appleseed

As you begin to plan out your apples preschool theme, fill your book basket with a great collection of books about Johnny Appleseed. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore.

If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them through my Amazon affiliate links by clicking the images below.

Seed by Seed: The Legend and Legacy of JohnJohnny AppleseedMy Little Golden Book About Johnny Appleseed

 

Seed by Seed: The Legend and Legacy of John “Appleseed” Chapman – With one small seed every day, what good will you plant in the world? Johnny Appleseed—an American folk hero—changed our nation seed by seed, deed by deed.

Johnny Appleseed – This beautifully illustrated retelling shows how Johnny Appleseed bloomed from a young boy who loved the outdoors into the legendary man who spread apple trees all across the United States. Showing small acts of generosity and the love of nature can make a big difference, this book is sure to inspire the budding little Johnny Appleseed in every reader.

My Little Golden Book About Johnny Appleseed – In this simple yet lively book, preschoolers will be introduced to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Lyrical text and bright, appealing artwork capture the essence of this important American. 

More Learning Fun

Download and print these Johnny Appleseed puppets to make storytelling more fun.

This crocheted Johnny Appleseed hat is the perfect addition to your dress-up box!

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 Whether you're celebrating Johnny Appleseed Day or supplementing your apples preschool theme, don't miss this free Johnny Appleseed preschool activity pack! Young learners will have fun practicing their counting skills with this free activity featuring Johnny Appleseed for preschool.

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