Weekends and school holidays are a great opportunity for families to have fun and spend time together, but they also provide children with a fantastic opportunity to learn.
Farm trips can offer children a great way to burn off energy in an environment where they can experience the fresh air of the countryside, all whilst spending quality time with their family.
Here are are some of the best farm experiences in Northern Ireland for the whole family to enjoy.
Here are are some of the best farm experiences in Northern Ireland for the whole family to enjoy.
![St James’ Community Farm has been running for almost seven years and recently underwent a major transformation.
A space was adapted between the bog meadows reserve and the terraced streets of the St James neighbourhood, creating an urban farmyard and allowing inner city residents to have a break from the rush of Belfast city and visit close to 50 animals, which include donkeys and sheep.
A micro-climate has been created here, with the nearby bogside and Belfast city landmarks viewable, creating a beautiful contrast.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmJhYjA5M2NkLWIyZjAtNDhlYy1hYjk4LWZlZTk2NjRiYjYxNDo3ZTZmOWM4MS03MWUzLTQ1NTgtYWY4YS02YzRhYzQ5NjA1OGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. St James Community Farm, Belfast
St James’ Community Farm has been running for almost seven years and recently underwent a major transformation. A space was adapted between the bog meadows reserve and the terraced streets of the St James neighbourhood, creating an urban farmyard and allowing inner city residents to have a break from the rush of Belfast city and visit close to 50 animals, which include donkeys and sheep. A micro-climate has been created here, with the nearby bogside and Belfast city landmarks viewable, creating a beautiful contrast. Photo: St James Community Farm via Twitter
![The World of Owls is based in Randallstown forest in Antrim and its primary aim is to ensure the survival of the world's owls.
The centre carries out great work such as conservation, education, restoration and research. It hopes to bring everyone together, both young and old from all sections of the community to enjoy a beautiful location to learn about environmental and ecological issues.
It also has an education programme called the ‘World of Owls’ which is designed to facilitate the National Curriculum’s key stages and facilitate children's education about Owls.
On site they have different owls such as barn owls, Eurasian eagle owls, and boobook owls. Some of these owls have been rescued from really horrible situations and have been rescued and live in peace in the sanctuary.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjkwZTE0ZDJjLWY1YmEtNDlhOS1iMzk2LWRmZTM2MzJlNDNhNzpiYjRjYzI0NS03N2Q0LTQ5M2EtOTY3Mi0yODM5YjA4OGJkZmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. World of Owls, Randalstown
The World of Owls is based in Randallstown forest in Antrim and its primary aim is to ensure the survival of the world's owls. The centre carries out great work such as conservation, education, restoration and research. It hopes to bring everyone together, both young and old from all sections of the community to enjoy a beautiful location to learn about environmental and ecological issues. It also has an education programme called the ‘World of Owls’ which is designed to facilitate the National Curriculum’s key stages and facilitate children's education about Owls. On site they have different owls such as barn owls, Eurasian eagle owls, and boobook owls. Some of these owls have been rescued from really horrible situations and have been rescued and live in peace in the sanctuary. Photo: World of Owls via Facebook
![Phil’s farm is located a 10-minute drive from Armagh and specialises in bringing all their animals from their mobile petting farm into close contact with children and adults, providing an exciting hands-on experience in your own environment.
They cater for these hands-on events anywhere within Northern and Southern Ireland.
The mobile petting farm animals include chickens, bunnies, giant rabbits, and a range of creepy crawlies as well as many other animals.
Their onsite farm can host larger groups, with activities including horse riding, llama trekking, bouncy castles, and a climbing wall.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjE1M2NhZTM1LWVlZTQtNGE1OC1hMjA2LTE4NzhhYWY5ZDViNjo4NGYzNzJjZC1lOTk2LTQ0ZjgtYTgxNi1kMDRkNzEyMTQ1NzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Phil’s Farm, Altnamackan
Phil’s farm is located a 10-minute drive from Armagh and specialises in bringing all their animals from their mobile petting farm into close contact with children and adults, providing an exciting hands-on experience in your own environment. They cater for these hands-on events anywhere within Northern and Southern Ireland. The mobile petting farm animals include chickens, bunnies, giant rabbits, and a range of creepy crawlies as well as many other animals. Their onsite farm can host larger groups, with activities including horse riding, llama trekking, bouncy castles, and a climbing wall. Photo: Phil’s Farm via Facebook
![Lagan Valley Farm is located in the beautiful Lagan Valley Regional Park, Laganvale Farm is located in the Lagan Valley Regional Park, situated just outside Belfast and Lisburn.
It is open from Wednesday to Saturday and combines both indoor and outdoor fun, showcasing animals in paddocks including goats, alpacas, chickens, ponies, and ducks.
There is also an indoor activity tunnel which has a large sandpit, and rides on toys.
Also situated indoors is a big barn, which has fun go-karts and a small animal corner where children can meet cute and fluffy rabbits and guinea pigs.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjJlM2NiYzZhLTRiYTMtNGZkMC05MjM3LTg0NzZhNWQwZTA2ZjpkOTRhYTA0Ni02NWU1LTRmMjgtODFkNS1hMGY3OGRlNTNhZTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Laganvale Farm, Lisburn
Lagan Valley Farm is located in the beautiful Lagan Valley Regional Park, Laganvale Farm is located in the Lagan Valley Regional Park, situated just outside Belfast and Lisburn. It is open from Wednesday to Saturday and combines both indoor and outdoor fun, showcasing animals in paddocks including goats, alpacas, chickens, ponies, and ducks. There is also an indoor activity tunnel which has a large sandpit, and rides on toys. Also situated indoors is a big barn, which has fun go-karts and a small animal corner where children can meet cute and fluffy rabbits and guinea pigs. Photo: Pexels