Farm Stay in Norway with Toddlers: 6 Days on a Dairy Farm

September 2017 · updated September 2026

The best way to understand a country is to live in it for a few days rather than tour it. In September 2017 we got the rare chance to do that in Norway. Friends of ours live next to a dairy farm in the countryside about 30 minutes from Oslo. One of them works on it, and they invited us to stay for six days with our two boys, then 4 and still a toddler.

To be honest from the start: this wasn’t a farm stay you can book. We stayed with friends. But what we learned about farm life with small kids applies to any Norwegian farm holiday, and at the end I’ve listed where to find real ones.

Quick answers

Is a farm stay in Norway good with toddlers? Yes. The kids spend all day outside, and everyone sleeps better than at home.
Expect at first: kids who love animals in books may be scared of a real cow. Ours needed about half an hour.
How to find one: HANEN, Norway’s rural tourism network, lists farms that offer rooms, food and activities.
Combine it with: Oslo for two days, and Lillehammer as a day trip.

The house: small outside, room for two families

Our friends’ house sits right beside the farm. From outside it looked small next to other houses we’d driven past, but inside the kitchen, living room and bedrooms were laid out so well that two families with four kids never felt crowded. The décor was classic Norwegian: wood, white walls, simple. The big windows gave us sunrises and sunsets we never see from our Barcelona flat.

Meeting the cows (and being scared of them)

On day one we went to see the cows. Both boys love animals, but until then only in books and cartoons. Face to face with a real cow, they were terrified, and I hadn’t seen that coming.

Our friend, who works on the farm, shared everything he knew. He talked about the animals, what the work involves, and the feeling of always being on call for them. After half an hour or so, Damian and Marc were feeding the cows, touching them, and posing for photos. Mission accomplished.

Tip for parents: don’t force it. Let them watch from behind you first. The fear passes quicker if no one makes a fuss.

Outdoor freedom: the part that changed me as a parent

In the evenings the kids played outside behind the house, jumping, running and shouting, while I was inside. For the first time since becoming a mother, I didn’t have to keep an eye on them every second.

Living in a big city like Barcelona has made me very protective. In the park, at the supermarket, on the beach, I’m always within arm’s reach. On the farm, the kids spent more time outside than in, and nobody needed to hover. It showed me the upside of raising kids on a farm.

The sleep

I can’t remember sleeping as well as we did there. Same hours as at home, yet we woke up rested every morning, even after two full days walking around Oslo with the kids. Our toddler slept nine hours straight for the first time in his life. Fresh air, quiet, and a full day outdoors did what nothing in Barcelona had managed.

What a farm stay means with a 1- and 4-year-old

Pack for mud, not for style: wellies and waterproof trousers for both kids. September in Norway is wet.
Keep the days simple: animals in the morning and free play in the afternoon was enough. We didn’t need a plan.
Use it as a base: 30 minutes from Oslo let us do the city in two day trips and drive up to Lillehammer another day, then come back to quiet.
Toddler safety: farms have machinery, slurry and electric fences. The freedom works for a 4-year-old with ground rules, but a 1-year-old still needs an adult.

How to find a farm stay in Norway

If you don’t have friends with a farm, look at HANEN, Norway’s rural tourism network. Its member farms offer accommodation, farm food, farm shops and activities across the country. Check whether the farm has animals the kids can visit and whether it’s a working farm, because both make a big difference with small children.

A huge thank you to Grigore and Marina and their lovely kids for having us. It’s still one of the best weeks we’ve spent on any trip.

Frequently asked questions about farm stays in Norway

Is a farm stay in Norway good for toddlers?

Yes. Toddlers spend most of the day outdoors with animals and space to play, and families usually sleep better than at home. Farm machinery and fences mean under-2s still need an adult close by.

How do you find a farm stay in Norway?

HANEN, Norway’s rural tourism network, lists member farms that offer accommodation, farm food and activities. Check whether the farm is a working farm with animals children can visit.

Can you stay on a farm near Oslo?

Yes. There’s farmland within about 30 minutes of Oslo, close enough to visit the city on day trips and come back to the countryside at night.

What should you pack for a farm stay in Norway?

Wellies and waterproof trousers for every child, warm layers even in late summer, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.