What is a farm holiday? The 7 best activities according to kids

For many parents, a farm holiday means peace, nature and a break from the busy routine. But what makes a farm holiday in the Netherlands truly special for children? We asked kids who stayed at FarmCamps this year – and their answers were wonderfully honest and surprising.

Whether you’re looking for a farm holiday with toddlers or a farm stay where your child won’t get bored, this list shows why so many families return.

1. Helping the farmer and farmer’s wife

“I got to feed the cows and collect eggs in the barn!”

Many children love being “a farmer” for a while. At most FarmCamps farms, this is actually possible. Under the farmer’s guidance, kids feed animals, collect eggs and learn about life on a working farm. This makes a child-friendly farm holiday not only fun, but also educational.

2. Playing with the animals – especially kittens

Almost every child we spoke to mentioned the animals as their favourite part. Especially kittens! These soft, playful furballs steal the show. But cuddling rabbits, brushing goats or riding ponies are also very popular. Want to know more about the animals? Visit our page farm holiday with animals.

3. Building huts on the farmyard

With branches, pallets, straw and imagination, children build their own world. In corners of the yard or even in the hay barn, huts, camps and secret clubs spring up. Outdoor play in its purest form – and one of the most popular activities during a farm holiday.

4. Mud kitchen & outdoor cooking

“I made mud soup with leaves and grass – and dad had to taste it!”

At the mud kitchen, kids can play chef with water, sand, stones, flowers and leaves. Hands-on fun, experimenting and imagining: it sounds simple, but activities like this make a farm holiday extra magical.

5. Treasure hunts and the Farmer’s Passport

On all our farms, children receive a Farmer’s Passport – a booklet full of tasks, games and fun facts. They learn which animals live on the farm, what they eat and what grows in the fields. Every day they earn stamps. Learning made fun! Want more? Read about farm holidays on the farm and discover it yourself.

6. Hay barns & stacks: climbing and playing

Children kept saying it: playing in the hay is “the best”. Rolling, jumping, lying down and laughing. Some farms even have special hay barns where kids can climb and explore safely.

7. Adventures at sunrise and after dark

Waking up to the sound of cows in the morning. Or in the evening, sneaking out with a torch to the barn. These are adventures kids rarely experience at home. The nature around them makes a lasting impression – even if they’re only there for a few days.

Why children love a farm holiday

A farm holiday with children is more than just staying somewhere. It’s adventure, contact with animals, learning about nature and above all: freedom. No screens, no packed schedule – just being outside and playing.

Many families choose a weekend getaway on the farm to experience this feeling. And often it doesn’t stop at just one visit.

Discover it yourself

Curious what your own farm holiday could look like?

Check out our page farm holiday on the farm and discover all our locations, accommodations and animals. From glamping on the farm to sleeping in the hay – at FarmCamps every holiday is unique.