Farm holidays with children: special experiences for little explorers

Farm holidays work for all ages, but expectations change: With babies (0-1 year), quiet farms surrounded by nature are ideal, but make sure they have baby equipment (crib, highchair). Toddlers (1-3 years) love petting zoos and flat terrain for safe exploration. Preschoolers (4-6 years) are in farm paradise: feeding animals, playing in the hay, riding tractors. School children (7-12 years) want action: pony rides, helping with barn chores, adventures. Teenagers (13+ years) appreciate freedom: mountain biking, independent exploration, maybe even helping with the hay harvest. Most farms are suitable for all age groups; simply choose according to your children's interests!

Boredom? Not a chance! A typical day on a farm starts with feeding the animals – cows, goats, chickens, and rabbits. Afterwards, it's off to the playground, the hayloft, or the pool . At midday, there's a tractor ride or pony ride , and in the afternoon, maybe helping with the haymaking or collecting eggs . In between, there's building a hut in the woods, running barefoot across meadows, or making friends with other farm kids . Many farms also offer guided activities: baking bread, churning butter, and crafting with natural materials. In the evening, there's a campfire with roasted bread on sticks , and then the kids fall into bed tired but overjoyed.

Yes, if the farm is family-friendly and you follow a few rules! When booking, look for: safe play areas (fenced, away from driveways), childproof accommodations (stair gates, socket covers), fenced pools, and clear boundaries to hazardous areas (machinery, tractor entrance). Our certified family farms meet verified safety standards. It's also important to discuss farm rules with your children: animals are not toys, no running behind tractors, and certain areas are off-limits. Most farming families give a tour of the farm with safety instructions upon arrival; take this seriously, and nothing will stand in the way of a safe holiday!

Prices vary depending on the season, region, amenities, and board basis: Off-season (May, September, October): from €20-30 per person/night in basic self-catering apartments. Peak season (July/August, Christmas): €35-50 per person/night in well-equipped farm stays with breakfast or half-board. Premium farm stays with childcare, pool, and wellness facilities: €50-80 per person/night. Children often receive discounts (e.g., "children up to 6 years old stay free," "20% discount for 2 or more children"). For example: a family with 2 children (4 and 8 years old), 1 week of summer vacation with breakfast = approx. €980-1,200 total. Money-saving tips: Book outside of school holidays, choose self-catering, and take advantage of special offers !

Recommended, but not essential. Many farms are located in rural areas – a car gives you flexibility for excursions (swimming lake, mountain railway, shopping). However, many farms offer a pick-up service from the train station , and often you won't need a car on-site because there's so much to do at the farm itself. Some regions (e.g., South Tyrol , Salzkammergut ) are easily accessible by public transport and offer guest cards for free buses. Tip: When booking, ask: "Is the farm accessible by public transport?" and "What can be reached on foot/by bus?" For families with lots of luggage and small children, a car definitely makes life easier!

Even in the rain, there's no chance of boredom! Most family-friendly farms have playrooms with table tennis, foosball, board games, or an art corner . Some offer indoor programs for bad weather, such as arts and crafts, bread baking, or farm tours in the barn. Feeding the animals is also possible in the barn , and with wellies, it's even fun in the rain! Many farms also have a hayloft for romping around – a paradise for children, no matter the weather. And if it really does rain for days on end: the surrounding area often has indoor attractions like water parks, museums, or climbing centers. No need to worry: farm kids are happy regardless of the weather!

Yes, on many farms it's even explicitly encouraged! Most farming families are happy when children show interest. Typical tasks include: feeding animals (chickens, goats, rabbits), collecting eggs from the henhouse, watching or helping with mucking out stalls, assisting with haymaking (turning hay, throwing it onto the tractor trailer), harvesting vegetables, or watching the milking. Important: Farmers have real work to do, so participating isn't just "entertainment," but genuine farm life. Ask upon arrival: "When are the feeding times?" and "Can my child help?" Most farmers are happy to make time when they see that children are genuinely interested, and for children, this is often the highlight of their vacation!

Use our filter function on bauernhofurlaub.info ! You can filter by amenities (playground, pool, childcare), by animals (horses, cows, rabbits), by region , and by farm certifications (e.g., family farm ). Our recommendation: Read the farm descriptions carefully; they tell you what children can experience. Look at the photos: Is there a playground? Do the animals look friendly? If in doubt, give them a call! Most farmers are happy to answer questions like, "Is the farm suitable for a 3-year-old?" or "Are there other children on the farm?" A quick chat before booking avoids disappointment and ensures the perfect match!