Farmhouse for families

Info and Description

A family-friendly agritourism facility is a rural accommodation facility that combines farm hospitality with services and spaces designed for guests with children, such as play areas, educational farms, and animal-based activities . In 2024, 2,340 agritourism businesses were authorized to offer educational farms, representing 8.9% of the national total, a segment that has seen strong growth in recent years.

(Sources: ISTAT)

In short

Family-friendly farmhouses in Italy are characterized by:

• large green spaces and outdoor play areas
• educational farm with farmyard animals and educational workshops (in many facilities)
• cuisine with local products and menus suitable even for the little ones
• accommodations designed for families (connecting rooms, apartments, additional beds)

Costs and seasonality:

• peak season: summer, especially the August bank holiday period, and spring holidays such as Easter
• Overnight stay with breakfast in a family-oriented facility: between €60 and €150 per person per night
• Educational workshop or farm visit (half day): between €15 and €35 per child

Explanation

Educational farms: the family segment of the sector

Educational farms represent the segment most explicitly aimed at families with children. In 2024, 2,340 facilities will be authorized to offer this service, representing 8.9% of Italian agritourism businesses, representing a 12.2% increase compared to 2023 and a 220% increase compared to 2010, the highest growth rate of all complementary services offered by agritourism businesses. Over half of these facilities are located in the North (52.5%), followed by Central Italy (25.3%), the South (13.5%), and the Islands (8.7%). This phenomenon now affects 1,574 Italian municipalities, nearly 20% of the total and 31.3% of the municipalities hosting at least one agritourism business. Approximately 39% of businesses with educational farms are run by women, a share approximately five percentage points higher than the industry average. Confirming families' interest in this type of offering, an estimate by Coldiretti/Ixè indicates that approximately 1.6 million Italian parents plan to enroll their children in summer camps organized in the countryside, particularly on educational farms , as an alternative to summer sports or seaside centers.

(Sources: ISTAT, Coldiretti/Ixè )

Market data and trends (Agriturismo.net)

Analyzing the offerings of family-friendly agritourism in Italy:

• 37% of the facilities offer a dedicated area for children's recreation
• 14.4% of agritourism businesses have a farm with animals
• 74.4% of the facilities have a swimming pool available to guests
• 1 out of 10 properties offers babysitting service

(Sources: Based on data from Agriturismo.net)

Practical part

How to choose a family-friendly farmhouse

1. Check for play areas: ask if there are fenced green areas, outdoor games, or an educational farm.
2. Check available accommodations: connecting rooms, apartments or solutions with additional beds for families
3. Ask about policies for children: any discounts or free admission for children, availability of cots and high chairs
4. Consider the presence of animals: many educational farms allow children to approach farmyard animals safely.
5. Find out about the children's menu: some establishments offer special dishes or flexible meal times.
6. Consider the safety of outdoor spaces: fenced pools, protected play areas, distance from busy roads
7. Check out the activities organized: educational workshops, farm walks, seasonal fruit or vegetable picking
8. Ask the owner: Have any questions? Before booking, contact the property directly with your request, no obligation, using the "Ask the owner" button on the page.

FAQ

What is a family-friendly farm?

It is a licensed agricultural facility that offers rural hospitality alongside services designed for guests with children, such as play areas, educational farms, and family accommodations.

What are educational farms?

These farms are authorized to offer educational programs for children, including hands-on activities such as caring for animals, exploring the garden, or producing traditional foods.

How many farmhouses with educational farms are there in Italy?

There are 2,340 of them, equal to 8.9% of the national total of agritourism businesses. This number has increased by 12.2% compared to 2023 and by 220% compared to 2010.

(Sources: ISTAT )

Where are the most farms with educational farms?

Over half are found in the North (52.5% of the national total), followed by the Centre (25.3%), the South (13.5%) and the Islands (8.7%).

(Sources: ISTAT )

When is the best time to go on a farm with children?

The peak season is summer, especially the August bank holiday, as well as spring holidays like Easter, when families with children account for a significant portion of bookings.

(Sources: Coldiretti/Campagna Amica )

How many parents choose the countryside for their children's summer holidays?

Approximately 1.6 million Italian parents plan to enroll their children in summer camps organized in the countryside, particularly on educational farms.

(Sources: Coldiretti/Ixè )

Do family-friendly farmhouses always have a swimming pool?

Not always: the availability of a swimming pool varies from property to property and it is advisable to check directly when booking.

Do children pay the same price as adults?

Policies vary from property to property: many farmhouses offer discounts or free stays for younger children, but it's always advisable to check the conditions at the time of booking.

Which regions have the most options for families with children?

Tuscany and Umbria are among the regions with the highest concentrations of agritourism overall; Northern Italy, in particular, hosts over half of the nation's educational farms.

(Sources: ISTAT )

Sources

Agritourism Businesses in Italy – Year 2024 - ISTAT

Law 20 February 2006 n. 96

Educational farms: More and more parents are choosing the countryside for their children's summer - FIRSTonline (Coldiretti/Ixè data)

August 15th: Coldiretti/Campagna Amica, 700,000 on agritourism holidays, enjoying food and sports - NordestNews

If you're looking for a family-friendly Agriturismo, you've come to the right place! Agriturismo.net offers a wide selection of accommodations suitable for you and your children, so you can find the perfect one for a pleasant family stay.

You can choose a farm with a playground where children can play outdoors, roaming in large green spaces, without risk. Or you can opt for a farm with an educational farm . Here, your children will be guaranteed fun! Specialized staff is ready to teach little ones the typical activities of country life. Learning the names of the fruits of the earth, recognizing trees and plants, nursing baby sheep, milking cows, and riding ponies will be fun and educational ways to instill in your children certain values that have been somewhat lost in large rural areas.

If during your holiday with the kids , you want to enjoy the beautiful countryside for a romantic getaway, or if your kids don't want to visit the charming nearby villages, agritourisms with babysitting services are perfect for leaving them in safe hands. Highly qualified staff will look after and entertain your little ones for as long as you need.

Farmhouses with pools could also be perfect for your family vacation , where your little ones can have fun in a healthy environment while you relax with a refreshing dip in the breathtaking view. And if your family includes a dog, cat, or both, don't leave them at home! Bring them along to a pet-friendly farm !

There are so many family-friendly agritourism options. What are you waiting for? Book now!