Farmer’s markets are a great place to go with your children, and there are several local farmer’s markets in the northern Virginia area- Arlington, Alexandria, Vienna, Ashburn, Falls Church and more.  Here are some things to do with your kids at a farmer’s markets, as well as a list of many of the Northern Virginia markets.

Things to do with Kids at the Farmer’s Market-

  1. Give the kids their own spending money, and have them choose one vegetable and one fruit to buy.  They may be more enthusiastic about veggies if they get to pick them out themselves.
  2. Allow them to help choose the menu for the upcoming week.
  3. Make it a mini math lesson- have your children help calculate the cost of each purchase, and count the money and pay.
  4. Bring a wagon for your kids to pull and hold your purchases- plus it will keep them busy and engaged!
  5. Talk to the local farmers with your children and learn about the growing process.
  6. Discuss the types of vegetable and fruit you see, you may be amazed how many your children already know!
  7. Try all the free samples, they may try things there that they wouldn’t at home.
  8. Challenge your kids to choose one thing that they’ve never tried before, and buy it to make at home.

Clarendon Metro Farmer’s Market

This farmer’s market features organic produce, baked items, plants/herbs, plus much more.

Location: Clarendon’s Metro Station Central Park- Arlington, VA

When: Wednesdays- Year-Round,  3pm – 7pm

http://www.clarendon.org/events/clarendonfarmersmarket.html

Arlington Farmers Market @ Courthouse

More than 30 vendors, all located within a 125 mile radius of the market.

Location: Next to the Arlington County Courthouse Parking Lot- intersection of N. Courthouse Rd. and N. 14th St- Arlington, VA

When: Saturdays – Year round, 8am – Noon

http://www.arlingtonfarmersmarket.com/index.php

Ballston Farmers Market

A weekly outdoor famers market featuring the area’s best locally grown and produced products.

Location: Outside the Ballston Metro (Orange Line), Welburn Square is at N. 9th and N. Stuart streets, Arlington, VA

When: Thursdays- May 27 – October 14, 3pm – 7pm

http://ballstonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

Columbia Pike Farmers Market

Fresh, ripe produce as well as salsas, chocolate, coffee, tea, honey, beeswax candles, soaps, and jewelry.

Location: Pike Park in front of the Rite Aid store at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Dr. Dr, Arlington, VA

When: Sundays- Year-round, 10am – 1pm

http://www.columbiapike.org/MARKET/index_E.html

Crystal City Farmers’ Market

More than 20 local farmers and producers offering produce, flowers/plants/herbs, eggs & meat, baked goods, and coffees & teas.

Location: Along the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Arlington, VA

When: Tuesdays- May 18th – October 26th,3pm to 7pm

http://www.crystalcity.org/green/farmers-market

Rosslyn Farmers Market

The market offers jellies, herbs, vegetables, fruits, pastries, breads, and much more. Next to the market will be weekly live music during Rosslyn Lunchtime Concerts held from 11:45 am – 1:30 pm.

Location: Wilson Boulevard and N. Oak Street, across from Cupid’s Garden Sculpture, Arlington, VA
When: Thursdays- May 13 – October 21, 11am – 3pm

http://www.rosslynva.org/play/markets

Old Town Farmers’ Market
One of the nation’s oldest continually operating farmer’s markets offering meat, dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables.  There is free parking in the Market Square garage. 703.746.3200.

Location: Market Square, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA
When: Saturdays- Year-round, 5am – 10:30am

http://alexandriava.gov/FarmersMarket

Del Ray Farmers’ Market

The Del Ray Market is producer grown, with fresh vegetables and fruits in season. All year round, this market offers meats, eggs, fresh pasta and sauces, Amish cheese, yogurt, bakery goods, eggs, jams and jellies, fancy nuts, and bakery goods.

Location: Corner of East Oxford & Mount Vernon Avenues, Alexandria, VA
When: Saturdays, 9 a.m. – Noon (winter hours), open year round

http://alexandriava.gov/FarmersMarket

Upper King St. Fresh Farmers’ Market

Alexandria’s only weekday farmers’ market, there are 10-12 vendors with a focus on local producer/growers who sell their own products

Location: 1806 King Street at the King Street Gardens Park (a short walk east of the King St. Metro station.)

When: Wednesdays- October 27, 2010, 3-7 pm, May 5

http://www.upperkingstreet.org/farmersmarketfrontpage.htm

West End Farmers’ Market

Location: Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive
When: Sundays- May through November, 9am – 1pm

http://www.culinate.com/market/WestEndFarmersMarketVA

City of Falls Church Farmers Market

Open year round, the Market has over 40 local farmers and producers, offering fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, baked goods, plants, and wine.

Location: City Hall Parking Lot, 300 Park Ave., Falls Church

When:  Saturdays- April 3-Dec. 18, 8am – noon

http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Government/Departments/CommunityServices/RecsParks/FarmersMarket.aspx

Vienna Farmers Market

The Vienna Saturday Farmers’ Market is a producer-only market, meaning that the farmers and producers may sell only what they grow, raise or make on their own farms.

Location: In the Caboose parking lot across the street from 131 Church Street NE Vienna, VA 22180 and is right off the W&OD trail.

When: Saturdays- May 1 – October 30, 8am – Noon

http://viennafarmersmarket.com/

Ashburn Market

Location: 44036 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn Crossroads Restaurant Park, corner of Ashburn Village Blvd and Farmwell Rd, behind IHOP & Fuddruckers, Ashburn, VA

When: Saturdays- May 1st – Oct 30th, 8am – 12pm

http://www.loudounfarmersmarkets.org/Ashburn.php

Leesburg Market

Location:Virginia Village Shopping Center on Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA

When: Saturdays- May 1st – Oct 30th, 8am – 12pm

http://www.loudounfarmersmarkets.org/Leesburg.php

Brambleton Market

Location: Market is located at 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Town Center parking lot behind Fox Cinema, Brambleton, VA

When: Sunday- May 2nd – Oct 31st, 9am – 1pm

http://www.loudounfarmersmarkets.org/Brambleton.php

Purcellville Market

Location: Market is located at 751 E Main St in front of the Re-Store, Purcellville, VA

When: Saturdays- May1st – Dec 18th, 8am – 12pm

http://www.loudounfarmersmarkets.org/Purcellville.php

Cascades Market

Location: Market is located at The Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place (behind Home Depot), Cascade, VA

When: Sundays- May 2nd – Nov 21st, 9am – 1pm

http://www.loudounfarmersmarkets.org/Cascades.php

Thanks to Kevin from Blunoz Random Ramblings for the Loudoun County Farmers Market info!